There’s something magical about Cyndi Lauper, the lively artist behind the 1983 hit “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” a song that quickly became a global anthem, encouraging women everywhere to embrace fun and freedom.
Lauper is the definition of cool. Her quirky, carefree personality, playful fashion, and colorful hair inspire people with her message to always be yourself.
However, behind the playful voice that spreads joy to her listeners, Lauper battles a severe skin condition called psoriasis. At one point, it was so intense that, as she described, “It looked like someone threw boiling water on me.”
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The legendary pop star, now 69, recently opened up about her ongoing battle with psoriasis—a chronic skin condition that has no cure—since she was first diagnosed in 2010.
Psoriasis can cause severe pain, itching, discomfort, and rough, scaly patches on the skin. About 8 million people in the U.S. and 125 million globally live with this condition.
Lauper’s symptoms started as scalp irritation and general discomfort, which worsened over time.
Initially, she thought her itchy scalp was from frequently coloring her hair, but the symptoms continued, causing both physical pain and emotional strain for the award-winning musician.
The “Time after Time” singer is a busy mother, touring pop star, and activist.
Inspired by her sister Ellen, who is a lesbian, Lauper has become a strong supporter of LGBT rights, working tirelessly to advocate for the community.
Her 2005 song “Above the Clouds” was written in honor of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old gay student who was beaten to death in Wyoming. Lauper also started the “True Colors” concert tour in 2007-2008, which raises support for local and private LGBT charities and organizations.
Besides her advocacy, Lauper has an impressive career as a singer, songwriter, and actor. Over the past forty years, she has received many awards, including a Tony Award, two Grammy Awards, an MTV Music Video Award, and an Emmy Award for her role in a 1995 episode of the TV show *Mad About You*.
She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and in 2013, her humanitarian work earned her a special invitation to attend President Barack Obama’s second inauguration.
Despite her diagnosis, Lauper continues to stay strong. She is committed to not letting psoriasis hold her back and works on managing stress to avoid triggering flare-ups.
When she was first diagnosed and dealing with severe psoriasis, Lauper wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway musical *Kinky Boots*, which won her a Tony Award for Best Original Score. She became the first woman to win a Tony in that category on her own. The show also won five more Tony Awards, including Best New Musical.
In a conversation with the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), Lauper openly shared her experience living with the autoimmune skin condition, hoping her story might help others.
“I’ve never been able to really manage stress,” she admitted, explaining that she now takes a holistic approach to healing and stress relief both at home and on the road. She learned reiki, a Japanese technique for relaxation, saying, “That helps me.”
Along with reiki, Lauper works to stay grounded by meditating, practicing yoga, or taking walks in the fresh air with her dog and her husband, David Thornton, whom she married in 1991. The couple has one son, born in 1997.
“It’s not a bad thing to take care of yourself,” Lauper said, urging people to always “make a little time for you.”
She encourages starting small. “How about five minutes for you?” she added.
Lauper speaks with resilience about her experience, explaining that “when psoriasis gets really bad, it’s really hard to get up again.” She shared that at times, she couldn’t regulate her body temperature, leading to chills that could result in hypothermia. Even when resting, her condition only worsened, and hearing people dismiss it as “just a rash” added to her struggles.
“You don’t have to suffer,” Lauper said. Treatments, such as topical and oral medication or injections, can help ease the often unbearable symptoms of psoriasis. For Lauper, she found relief with Novartis’ Cosentyx, and as a spokesperson for the medication, she happily shares that she’s been “four years clear.”
In 2017, Lauper spoke with HealthDay about managing her psoriasis.
“It’s funny—you start wearing gloves, or this and that, hoping [psoriasis] is invisible, but it’s not. I didn’t show it off, like, ‘Woo-hoo, check this out!’ Doesn’t everyone try to hide it? You’d be surprised how many people have it and don’t talk about it. It’s one of those invisible things, so it’s good to talk about it.”
She shares more about it on her podcast *PsO in the Know*, where she talks with celebrities, advocates, and everyday people who offer insights on living with psoriasis.
The show is now in its third season and is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, and Stitcher.
Lauper isn’t the only celebrity with psoriasis. Kim Kardashian, now 42, was diagnosed at 30 and is open about her challenges. Her mom, Kris Jenner, 67, had her first outbreak in her late 20s and said it was “life-changing.” Other celebrities with psoriasis include musician Art Garfunkel, 81, actor Jon Lovitz, 65, and Jerry Mathers, 74, known as “The Beaver.”
Dog was abandoned in the park – now he delights senior citizens in his new home
While it is always tragic to see a dog abandoned, many of these abused animals are fortunate enough to find wonderful new homes where they can live out their lives.
For example, a dog who was left behind in a park earlier this year is now making the most of some rather unique new settings.
The Associated Humane Popcorn Park Shelter in Forked River, New Jersey, adopted Paulie, a pitbull who was four and a half years old, after he was left behind at a nearby park in February.
Paulie’s past was unknown, but based on his ability to walk on a leash, sit on command, and “plop himself down on the first soft bed or blanket that he sees in a room,” it seemed he had lived in a “decent home” at some point.
The shelter commented, “How in the world could this adorable little pudge-pot of a dog get dumped and abandoned in a city park?” “We’ll never know, but fortunately he was rescued before he was in danger.”
He is the “sweetest and most mellow guy,” according to them, who is gregarious and enjoys belly massages.
Paulie found a devoted new home on March 8. “With him, I truly struck it lucky,” the adopter wrote on Facebook. “I’ve owned a number of dogs over the years, but this one is unique. I never thought I would adopt a dog who is so loving, so submissive, and an all-around wonderful dog.”
According to Paulie’s new owner, the dog gets along well with his 16-month-old granddaughter and even goes to work with him, where he does a particular task that makes elderly residents happy!
Pictures of Paulie with his new family and senior citizen buddies show him soaking in the love. In one picture, the placid dog is seen lying close to the feet of an elderly woman, perhaps ready to request a belly rub.
“He makes them grin for the four hours I’m there, when I tell you. The owner remarked, “I’m not sure who loves it more, them or him.
“Whoever advises against getting a pitbull may not be as correct as they seem. Wait till you have one before you judge them.
The shelter expressed their delight at the joyful conclusion, stating that they “couldn’t be happier for Paulie and his new family” and that everything turned out perfectly in the end, despite the tragic circumstances surrounding his abandonment.
“Paulie must have been very sad on the day he was left alone in a city park, but little did he know that was the best day of his life.” Why? It brought him to this,” they penned. “He’s getting even by living the best life he’s ever had!”
We’re overjoyed that Paulie has found such a wonderful new home and is making seniors happy! Please tell this tale!
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