There wouldn’t be a Chappell Roan without Cyndi Lauper, whom the “Good Luck, Babe!” singer helped induct into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Saturday (Nov. 8).
And in a Sunday (Nov. 9) post on Instagram after the event, Roan acknowledged the indelible impact the pop pioneer had on her own career while sharing photos from the red carpet in Los Angeles. “Sooo honored to have played a part in inducting THEE @cyndilauper into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame <3,” she began.
“She has played an instrumental role in my artistry, fashion, glam, voice, movement, all of it,” the Missouri native continued. “I shed several tears. She is really f–king awesome and so bold and bada– and absolutely walks the walk. I look up to her so very much <3”
Lauper was one of several acts inducted into the class of 2025. Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Outkast, Soundgarden and The White Stripes were also honored as performers, while Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon were inducted under the musical influence category.
While presenting her with the RRHOF milestone, Roan gave a speech commending Lauper’s influence and advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. On stage, the “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” musician remarked, “I know that I stand on the shoulders of the women in the industry that came before me, and my shoulders are broad enough to have the women that come after me to stand on mine … the little kid in me still believes that rock n’ roll can save the world.”
In her post, Roan concluded by recalling how she’d won a talent show at age 14 after singing Lauper’s “True Colors” for the judges, a moment that marked the first time the Gen-Z star “thought maybe singing could be a thing for me.”
“Thank you @cyndilauper for laying the groundwork for artists like me to thrive,” she added, echoing Lauper’s speech. “P.s. I agree with you rock & roll will save the world.”
For the ceremony, Roan rocked a crystal headdress and newspaper skirt inspired by the pieces worn by Lauper in the “True Colors” music video. On the red carpet, TikToker Harry Daniels attempted to surprise-serenade her with her August Billboard Hot 100 hit, “The Subway,” however the star politely but firmly blew him off and walked away as he was singing.
Another video from the event that’s been circulating shows a staff member instructing photographers on the red carpet not to shout at Roan, warning that the Grammy winner would refuse to come out if they did. Billboard has reached out to her rep for comment.
