Cyndi Lauper opens up about label's attempt to pit her against Madonna: “That’s not my style”

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Cyndi Lauper discussed the challenges she faced early in her career when her record label attempted to position her as a rival to Madonna. 

Lauper, known for hits like "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and "Time After Time," recalled how executives wanted to create a competitive atmosphere between the two pop stars.

"When I was starting out with my debut album, they wanted it to be this whole Cyndi vs. Madonna thing," Lauper explained. "As if there could only be one successful woman in music. What's that about?"

Lauper emphasized her respect for Madonna's contributions to pop music, rejecting the idea of being turned into a competitor. "Madonna has been entertaining audiences for years, creating fantastic pop songs. I'm all for healthy competition, but I'm not interested in being pitted against another woman. That's not my style," she asserted.

The singer also reflected on other pressures from the industry to conform to certain molds, including comparisons to icons like Barbra Streisand. Despite these challenges, Lauper remained steadfast in her artistic vision. 

"Resisting those pressures may have made my journey tougher, but I wanted to stay true to myself," she said.

Lauper's experiences shed light on broader industry dynamics where female artists are often pitted against each other for commercial gain. 

This issue recently surfaced again in discussions surrounding the 2024 documentary The Greatest Night in Pop, where Lionel Richie expressed regret over not involving both Lauper and Madonna in a charity project.

The documentary Let the Canary Sing further explores Lauper's career trajectory, highlighting her resilience and commitment to artistic integrity amidst industry pressures.