Chappell Roan helped usher in Cyndi Lauper’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday night.
Things got off to a rocky start when Roan accidentally dropped an f-bomb. “I messed up so badly by refusing to get contacts,” she joked. “Holy cow.”
The contacts issue would plague her a few more times as she read her speech (the giant headpiece more fit for a red carpet than a speech honoring an icon probably didn’t help), but the words were still on point. Roan praised Lauper for being a trailblazer, showing “the courage that not only creates incredible art, it gives everyone who experiences it the permission to be themselves. It opens their hearts, it changes their mind, and that is its power. Tonight, we honor a woman who redefined what a pop star could look like, sound like, sing like, and be.”
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As Roan ticked off Lauper’s successes, contributions, and iconic songs, she noted that “True Colors” was of great personal significance. “When I was 14 years old, I performed ‘True Colors’ at a talent show in my hometown in Missouri,” she said. “That was my first time ever winning a competition for singing, and that has been so important to me ever since. ‘True Colors’ has gone on to be an anthem synonymous with love and acceptance in the LGBTQ plus community and beyond — a message that still stands the test of time.”
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Fittingly, Lauper opened her performance (which featured The Go-Go’s Gina Schock on drums) with that very song, calling down a rainbow from the sky before diving into the track. As she hit the second, “So don’t be afraid!” she threw her fist into the air and paused — the progress pride flag displayed behind her.
She then asked everyone to take out their phones and turn on their flashlights. “Look at us: We are a community of light. Don’t forget that, in case it gets really dark,” she said before going into “Time After Time.” For the second verse, Lauper invited out Raye to join her, and the two waved their lights together. Next, Avril Lavigne appeared for “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” which also saw fellow inductees Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella come out to join in on the, well, fun. Lauper even changed the words to, “The Girls they wanna have fundamental rights” on the final refrain.
During her own speech, Lauper gave thanks to everyone who had ever helped her, family and professionals alike. “I know I stand on the shoulders of the women in the industry who came before me,” she said, before turning to look at Roan, “and my shoulders are broad enough for the women who come after me to stand on mine.” She added, “The little kid in me still believes that rock ‘n’ roll can save the world — and rock ‘n’ roll is a big, wonderful quilt of different styles of music… So I just wanna say, now of all times, let’s come together again and do good in the world, because it needs us.”
In a video announcing her participation last month, Roan said, “She has inspired me with her fashion and her hair, and of course, her makeup, her music. I actually auditioned with ‘True Colors’ for America’s Got Talent when I was 13. I didn’t make it, but the song is still incredible. I’m so excited, thank you for having me.”
The admiration is mutual, as Lauper sang Roan’s praises in the 2024 documentary Let The Canary Sing, during which she praised the “Pink Pony Club” singer: “Such dusky, yearning keyboard pop. Wow, born in 1998, she’s even younger than my son! And that hair! That kind of reminds me of what I did on the blues record, Memphis Blues…. Just incredible!”
The 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class also includes Soundgarden, Bad Company, OutKast, The White Stripes, Chubby Checker, and Joe Cocker in the performer category.
The induction ceremony aired live on Disney+ on Saturday, November 8th, and will be available to stream on-demand following the ceremony. Find our full coverage here.
Lauper’s ongoing farewell tour was recently extended into 2026 with the announcement of “Cyndi Lauper: Live in Las Vegas,” a 2026 Las Vegas residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace set for next spring.
Raye and Cyndi Lauper performing “Time After Time” at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. pic.twitter.com/ul0o4a76IS
— RAYE Updates (@RayeUpdate) November 9, 2025
chappell roan speech to induct cyndi lauper into the rock & roll hall of fame at the 2025 induction ceremony tonight! pic.twitter.com/5rBOGst0oi
— chappell roan daily (@dailyroan) November 9, 2025