Cyndi Lauper Talks Detour and LGBT Rights Before Her Denver Appearance

Ever since Cyndi Lauper released her debut album She’s So Unusual 33 years ago this autumn, she’s been known to march to the beat of her own drummer. Wearing her individuality on her sleeve, she encouraged her fans to let their own “true colors” shine through as well. A lifetime LGBT activist, she is the co-founder of the True Colors Fund, which aims to end homelessness in the LGBT community. While building the successful non-profit, she was also earning accolades for her role as composer in the Broadway musical Kinky Boots.

Where does Cyndi Lauper go after all that work? Back to the recording studio, where she recorded an album that’s very close to her heart. Called Detour, the album consists of covers of country songs from the 1950s and 1960s, and a long list of notables in the country scene lent supporting vocals. It is available for purchase now from Sire Records.

I had the privilege of interviewing the music legend herself as she criss-crosses the US and prepares for her Denver tour date in this exclusive for OUT FRONT.

Welcome to Colorado! How excited are you to perform for us at the Paramount Theatre?

I am excited to be performing in Denver again. It’s been sometime since my last show there. Can’t wait to be back and see all my fans there. I love Denver. It’s a great food town, and there are so many great people there. It’s a very progressive place and I love that.

I’ve had the privilege of seeing your concerts in the past and the thing I loved about your concert is that everyone is so involved, singing along with the songs at times. How does it feel to see your fans connecting so personally to the music you’ve written?

It is the greatest feeling in the world and also why I take my live performances so seriously. It is my way to connect with my fans and see their reaction to my songs up-close. There is nothing like it. That’s one reason I get frustrated when I see people holding up their phones and taking videos. You can always see me on video! Concerts are about connecting and if you have a telephone in front of your face, you rob me and you from being in that moment together.

Please tell our readers what they can expect from this concert. Are there any surprises up your sleeve?

For the first time in a long time, I have some cool production and visuals. Not just a flashlight prop on this tour. I will be performing songs from my new CD, Detour, but of course I will do my hits and songs that I’ve been told are fan faves. I change it up every night. You are going to have to come and see for yourself. But I promise you it will be fun and I have a great band backing me.

I had the chance to listen to your album Detour and I felt the concept was unique and executed beautifully by you and the roster of singers who participated with you. Was it easy for you to convince those artists to sing with you on an album of country standards?

I’m so lucky that all of these great artists took the time and gave me their beautiful talent for my record. I met Vince Gill when I did a TV show with his wife Amy Grant about 10 years ago. I met Emmylou Harris a few years back at a Rufus Wainwright event, but I never met Alison [Krauss] or Jewel before. But we had friends in common so I was able to reach out to them. Willie Nelson and I met at We Are The World in 1985. They are all generous, talented, and amazing and I’m thrilled they said yes to me. Wow!

Out of all the songs on the Detour album, which one spoke to you the most, where you thought to yourself, “Oh, this has to be on the tracklist”?

Actually, I have to say that about all the songs on Detour. I took my time with the song selection, but when it was done, I was so happy with the track listing. These are all the songs that I love, with a story attached to each of them, and I know that I can perform them well.

Two years ago, you opened for Cher on her worldwide tour. What was that experience like?

Cher is a friend and we’ve done quite a few tours together; it’s always fun.  She is just the most generous and kindest person I know. Her team on the road with her is really smart and nice and they are like a family. It feels like you are joining them on a family vacation! We went bowling and we had a movie night. Cher closed a movie theater for us to enjoy [some] movies. We had a lot of good times. Cher’s show is always awesome to behold.   

Do you prefer the touring life instead of a routine with a slower pace?

I enjoy touring as it keeps me busy. After a long tour, though, I do enjoy a slower pace with my family.

You are one of the most prominent LGBT-rights advocates we have in this country, and once you said you were both “family and friend” to LGBT people. How have your LGBT family members and friends shaped you into the person you are today?

Yes, family and friend and proud of it. My family, friends, and fans in the LGBT community have taught me how to survive in the face of adversity. Time and time again the LGBT community has never given up as obstacle after obstacle has been placed before them, in attempts to block full equality. I have been proud to stand arm in arm with them as we break through those barriers. They have taught me to never give up.

Your True Colors Fund works to give a brighter future to youth who have become homeless due to coming out and living as their authentic selves. In your opinion, what is at stake in this presidential election for LGBT people, and especially the youth of today?

Progress is at stake. The Obama administration has done so much to ensure that LGBT youth have the support and help they need, especially when it comes to homelessness. One of the projects we have partnered with the federal government on is the LGBTQ Youth Homelessness Prevention Initiative, over the past three years. In Cincinnati and Houston, we are figuring out how we can help keep youth from actually becoming homeless in the first place. This is the kind of groundbreaking work that has occurred under the Obama administration and we have to keep the momentum going. 

Tell us about the work the True Colors Fund has done recently to combat the problem of LGBT homelessness, and how important it is for cities and counties all over the country to take up the torch as well.

Communities are at the heart of ending youth homelessness, and the work we do with communities across the country is at the heart of the True Colors Fund’s efforts to end LGBT youth homelessness. Two of the key things we do are, first, provide free support and tools for homeless youth service providers to make sure their staff are trained to be inclusive and welcoming of all young people, and second, we work with entire communities, like Nashville, Houston, and Cincinnati, to create community plans to end youth homelessness and make sure LGBT youth are a part of those plans.

The True Colors Fund is focused on putting the solutions in place in communities nationwide that will actually end youth homelessness. That is why I was proud to testify in the US Senate last year. The True Colors Fund advocated strongly for $42.5 million for a huge demonstration project to help 10 communities around the country figure out how to end youth homelessness. The funding occurred, and that is a big deal. What we learn in those communities will be game-changing in so many ways.

I’m sure people want to know how they can be involved in the True Colors Fund and also what they can do locally to help LGBT youth. What can we do?

To get involved with the True Colors Fund, visit our website at TrueColorsFund.org. There are a number of ways to get involved on the website, and you can sign up for our email list to stay informed about things you can do. In your community, find your local homeless youth provider or youth center and volunteer. They can always use help. In Denver, there is a wonderful agency called Urban Peak. Show them some love and support.

Which projects will you be devoted to in the next few months? I’ve heard whispers that you’ve been considering bringing another musical to Broadway. Is this true?

Yes, I am working on another musical which I am pretty excited about. I will definitely share more when I am able to. Hopefully soon. Stay tuned.

I am currently busy with the Detour release and tour. I’m also making plans to tour Japan and Australia in 2017. Kinky Boots is keeping me quite the busy bee too. We have Todrick Hall coming on board to play Lola in November which I am pretty excited about!