Toronto·Video

Cyndi Lauper in Toronto for Kinky Boots and Pride

Pop music icon Cyndi Lauper, the artist behind Girls Just Want to Have Fun and co-writer of the musical Kinky Boots, is in Toronto this week.

Singer discusses her long-time connection with the gay community

Cyndi Lauper in Toronto

9 years ago
Duration 1:45
The pop legend is in town to promote Kinky Boots, the award-winning musical she co-wrote, and also to help celebrate Pride.

Pop music icon Cyndi Lauper, the artist behind Girls Just Want to Have Fun and co-writer of the musical Kinky Boots, will be among the thousands celebrating Pride in Toronto this week.

CBC Toronto's Anne-Marie Mediwake spoke with Lauper, a well-known LGBT activist, about her career, her new musical and her recent induction to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

When Mediwake asked Lauper what advice she'd give a budding Canadian performer — Carly Rae Jepsen, for example — the pop star was concise: "Keep writing."

"You have to suck sometimes to be great," Lauper said.

Lauper, who is in Toronto in part to join the Pride celebrations, also discussed her long-time connection with the gay community, something that's changed the way she sings some of her classic songs.

To see a clip from the interview, check out the video above.