In the 1980s, Cyndi Lauper and Madonna were seen as rivals as they rose to fame. Lauper is reflecting on this feud, sharing how said she is that it existed in the first place.
Reflecting on their apparent feud now, Cyndi, 70, finds the friction "sad," admitting she didn't think the Material Girl singer, 65, 'liked' her much.
She even adjusted her style at the time to avoid comparisons, saying, "Isn't that sad, there can only be room for one? I didn't like it."
Cyndi revealed to E! News that she never addressed their perceived competition directly with Madonna because she didn't believe it would change anything: "Nah, I didn't think she liked me that much."
Even her fashion choices were influenced by this rivalry, as she explained how she altered her hairstyle in the mid-1980s to differentiate herself from Madonna's blonde locks.
ALSO READ: Cyndi Lauper Reveals Why She's Going on a Farewell Tour, Says the Future is Uncertain for Her
Despite their differences, Cyndi expressed regret that they couldn't have been friends, telling the New York Times, "It was a shame. I would have liked to have a friend." She likened their rivalry to "apples and oranges," suggesting people were forced to 'choose' between them.
Cyndi has previously voiced criticisms of Madonna, particularly in 2017 when she disagreed with Madonna's profanity-laced speech at the Women's March. While appreciating Madonna's presence at the event, Cyndi felt the message didn't align with their larger vision.
Now, Cyndi is gearing up for her farewell tour across North America, aiming to retire on a high note.
She emphasized the physical demands of singing, saying, "When you're a singer, you have to be an athlete. You can't f*** around. When you're 20, yeah. But when you get older? No."
Her rigorous preparation includes yoga, weight exercises, healthy eating, physical therapy, and vocal coaching four days a week.
The tour kicks off on October 18 in Montreal, Canada, with subsequent performances scheduled for Toronto, Boston, Detroit, and Washington, D.C. On October 30, Lauper will take the stage in her hometown of New York at the iconic Madison Square Garden.
The tour will then travel to Atlanta, Dallas, Nashville, Seattle, Los Angeles, and other cities across North America. The 23-city tour is set to conclude in Chicago on December 5.
The buzz around the superstar has also translated into a new achievement on the Billboard charts - one she's never experienced before.
Lauper's latest album, Let The Canary Sing, quietly debuts at No. 7 on this week's Soundtracks chart, marking her first appearance on this ranking.
Her last entry into the top 10 album charts in the U.S. was in 2016 with her country album Detour, which debuted and peaked at No. 4 on the Top Country Albums chart.
