LOS ANGELES – On the eve of her win for Best Musical Theater Album for “Kinky Boots,” Cyndi Lauper walked the red carpet for Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy gala at the Beverly Hilton.
She was sporting her wild-red half-dreads and a flirty top; I’ve always loved Lauper’s style, and even more than that, audiences for 30 years have loved her sense of self and artistic evolution.
Speaking to HitFix before the party, we talked fashion, of course, but then delved into what it takes to be successful. Her Grammy Award and previous Tony Awards wins arrive in time for the 30-year mark (OK, 30-and-a-half) of “She’s So Unusual,” her 1983 debut, for which she’s crafting an anniversary set. She’s also already “in the process” of working on another Broadway show, but wouldn’t get into much detail.
“I don’t want to jinx anything,” she said. “You’ll hear about it.”
Lauper hinted at TV work and writing more music, along with spending more time with her family. She last released a studio album in 2010, “Memphis Blues.”
And she issued some advice to you creative types.
Figure out what you want to do, and if there’s gatekeepers in your way, just understand that that’s what that person says. Look over their shoulder and see where you wanna go, and then figure out a plan of how you’re gonna get there. And in the end you’ll get there. It’s the guys that give up — just don’t give up. Understand what it is you wanna do. And then make a plan.
I’ve been told so many times how I stink that I’m not this and I’m not that and that I can’t do this and I can’t do that. I always think to myself, “For you, maybe.”
So, yeah, here’s Cyndi Lauper basically being awesome for five minutes.