Culture
Chappell Roan talks Cyndi Lauper impact in Rock Hall red carpet interview: ‘she laid that groundwork’
By: Ian Saint
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LOS ANGELES, California (WOUB) — Chappell Roan’s vibrant new music video The Subway unfolds in Cyndi Lauper’s hometown of New York City and matches Lauper’s unmistakable flair—even though Roan’s small-town Missouri roots are far removed from the setting of the 2026 GRAMMY Record of the Year–nominated track. She tells WOUB that Lauper “laid that groundwork” for the future Midwest Princess’s metamorphosis.
The parallels between Lauper and Roan include both shimmer and struggle.
Each endured years of rocky starts before their debut albums catapulted them to fame. Pink Pony Club became a global hit for Roan this year, but Atlantic Records had first released it in spring 2020—just as COVID-19 shut down the clubs it was made for—before dropping her.
Lauper’s groundbreaking 1983 debut She’s So Unusual came after her band Blue Angel was dropped by its label, and a lawsuit from their former manager forced her to file for bankruptcy.
Roan inducted Lauper into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during the 2025 ceremony at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theatre. Her wardrobe combined two looks Lauper wore in the music video for the 1986 No. 1 hit True Colors — the song Roan covered when she won her first singing contest at age 14.
A vocal supporter of NPR, Roan spoke with WOUB’s Ian Saint in her only red-carpet interview before the induction. A transcript of their conversation, edited for length and clarity, appears below.
IAN SAINT: Nice to meet you, Chappell. How does it feel to induct Cyndi Lauper to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
CHAPPELL ROAN: It’s the best honor ever. I just caught Cyndi backstage and I was almost in tears just talking to her, because I wouldn’t be Chappell Roan without Cyndi Lauper. Like, getting in this outfit — which is a re-creation of what she wore for her True Colors music video — felt very natural, and that is because she paved the way for me to feel comfortable wearing this. I’m not scared to wear this, because she laid that groundwork; so it’s such an honor.
Which other Cyndi music videos are your favorites?
ROAN: Time After Time is obviously awesome, the one where she comes out of the trailer with her bags. I also love All Through the Night. All of them are amazing because she’s a club kid, a punk. That’s so cool.
One of the many aspects of Cyndi’s story that I think is really admirable is that she was 30 when she put out She’s So Unusual.
ROAN: Really? F*** yeah.
Yeah. The entertainment business is often very youth-driven, but I reckon her experiences contributed to her dynamism.
ROAN: It’s so interesting that she was 30, and yes, so mature; but (embodied) such a youthful freedom. That’s so inspiring and awesome; I had no idea. Wow, let that become the norm.
“Cyndi Lauper Live… at Last” airs Saturday on WOUB-TV at 9 PM Eastern, and is available for streaming to WOUB Passport subscribers. The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is available for streaming on Disney+, and a primetime special of program highlights will air on ABC at 8 PM Eastern on New Year’s Day.