’80s icons Cyndi Lauper and Madonna were considered rivals as they climbed the charts during their early years of fame.
Now Cyndi has reflected on their apparent feud, confessing she found the friction “sad” but admitted she didn’t even think the Material Girl singer, 65, “liked” her that much.
Cyndi, 70, admitted that she even took into consideration Madonna’s style at the time to avoid comparisons between the two of them.
She said MY! News: ‘Isn’t it sad, there can only be room for one? I did not like.’
When asked if she ever told Madonna how she felt about the way they were portrayed as each other’s competition, Cyndi suggested she didn’t think it made a difference. “No, I didn’t think he liked her that much,” she replied.
Cyndi Lauper called her rumored feud with Madonna “sad” as she reflected on their alleged rivalry; photographed last week
Madonna, pictured in May, dominated the charts in the ’80s along with Cyndi.
The music legend even took the rivalry into account when choosing her fashion, to avoid people thinking she was copying Madonna.
Reflecting on her hairstyle in the mid-1980s, she said, “Look, my hair at the time, Madonna had blonde hair.”
“I said, ‘Okay, doll, I’ll put a black dot here so you know the difference between the two of us.’
The Time After Time singer recently admitted that she wishes they had been friends.
she told him New York Times newspaper: “It was a shame.” I would have liked to have a friend.’
He also joked, “It was like apples and oranges,” referring to people having to “pick” one.
Now, Cyndi is gearing up for her farewell tour after announcing one last trip playing her music across North America, and admitted she wants to go out with a bang.
The True Colors star said: “I don’t think I’ll be able to act the way I want to in a couple of years.” I want to be strong.’
The Girls Just Wanna Have Fun singer photographed in 1984
The Like A Virgin singer in 1989.
She has been working hard to prepare for the tour, with preparations including yoga and weight training, as well as healthy eating, physiotherapy and vocal training four days a week.
He added: “When you’re a singer, you have to be an athlete.” You can’t fuck. When you’re 20, yes. But when you’re older? No.’
Cyndi previously had beef with Madonna, criticizing Like A Virgin’s profanity-filled speech at the Women’s March in 2017.
In her speech, Madonna told the audience how she was sometimes angry after the election and had thought “a lot about blowing up the White House.”
While Madonna happily attended the march, she felt its message did not “serve” her broader vision.
Cyndi already had problems with Madonna: in 2017 she criticized Like A Virgin’s profanity-filled speech at the Women’s March.
“I was glad she went,” Lauper said on Watch What Happens Live. ‘I think it happens a lot when you’re really excited, feeling your emotions. I don’t think it served our purpose because anger is no better than clarity and humanity.’
However, he previously credited Madonna for inspiring his beginnings in his singing career.
The Time After Time artist was promoting the hit musical Kinky Boots during an appearance on The project In 2016, she was asked if she ever felt threatened by the success of other artists when she was starting out.
‘No! I thought of them very thoughtfully,” she said, referring specifically to Madonna, Prince and Boy George.
‘(Prince’s) music has always been part of my musical landscape, as has Madonna.
He had previously credited Madonna for inspiring his beginnings in his singing career; Lauper photographed in 1987
Lauper photographed at the WeHo Pride Parade this month
She added: ‘I have to say I fooled around and said she was my evil cousin, but when she did Like A prayer, my Catholic schoolgirl heart was…I loved her!’ She was a hero, right? She bothered everyone. That was so good. Good?’
Cyndi also previously revealed that she had been mistaken for legendary artist Madonna.
Despite having a much less provocative image than Madonna, fans often confused the couple and Cyndi admitted that there were times when she didn’t bother to correct them.
“It happens to me from time to time. I just signed with Madonna. I don’t care and as long as I don’t talk I get away with it,” he previously revealed on The Graham Norton Show.