Interview with Cyndi Lauper

Our favorite True Colors star talks about the civil rights movement, her new tour and the one thing she wants but just can't have.

GMHC, HRC, Matthew Shepard Foundation, PFLAG... You've supported them all. You're like the gay man's best friend. Was there one event that changed your life into one of philanthropy?

I have been an activist for many different causes. I grew up during the African-American civil rights struggle. Then women had to fight for their equality and its very sad but it's no different now. You would think in the year 2007, we would be past all this. But now the LGBT community has to fight for equality. Your civil liberties are my civil liberties. I have had many experiences and I'm lucky to have the platform that I do. I want to use it not only to make great music, but make change. Gay people are my people and some of the stuff that has gone down in the last 5 years is just unacceptable to me. This administration outrages me.

You're kicking off Gay Pride this year with your True Colors Tour. What's this tour about and why now?

It's something I’ve actually wanted to do for the last five years. So I'm thrilled that its finally coming together for my family, my friends and my fans. I'm seeing a complete erosion of rights. Things are going backward and my response to that is this tour.

We never get sick of hearing "Time After Time". Do you ever get sick of singing it?

I have so many songs that it's hard at times [to decide] what gets into the sets and what doesn’t. Obviously it’s one of my biggest so I usually include it; but I have gone through periods where I’ve rested it and gone with other hits. So no... I don’t get sick of it, but I do take care to change up the repertoire as much as I can.

You've gone from 80's pop queen to 90's legend to an icon of the millennium. What's different about the Cyndi of She's So Unusual and the Cyndi of today?

I'm pretty much the same gal. I am a mother and a wife now, which I wasn’t back in the 80’s.

What's the one thing you want, but just can't have?

A day off. It's been nuts. I am kidding. [laughs] I get to do what I love, have a healthy and happy family. Life is good.

What's the most played track in your iPod?

There is a lot of great new music out there. The Gossip's "Standing in The Way of Control" is definitely up there.

Who's the one person in this world that just doesn't get it?

Well, besides the obvious idiots that are running our country, I would say one of the women who’s been sewing my costumes lately. I'm in shape, but I'm not Kate Moss. It's like, please girl! Try singing without breathing. [laughs]

For more information on Cyndi's new tour, log onto www.truecolorstour.com