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.”
A Man Born With No Jaw Finds Love, but Their Relationship Sparks Heated Controversy: “She Can’t Kiss Him!”
In a profoundly inspiring story of love and determination, Joseph Williams defied seemingly insurmountable odds to find not just love, but an enduring and unbreakable connection with Vania. Their journey, marked by initial uncertainties and obstacles, ultimately led to a heartwarming union in 2020.
Williams encountered many challenges and faced repeated rejections.
Born with otofacial syndrome, Williams endured a lifetime of bullying and isolation until he found the love of his life. Despite ongoing criticism, the couple is now happily married and has emerged from these challenges even stronger. Unable to speak or chew due to his disability, Williams communicates through sign language and relies on a feeding tube.
The love he experiences with his wife has reignited his self-esteem following years of feeling worthless. This has motivated him to advocate for embracing life despite differences. He expressed fervently, “I understand that I am different and that some people will think I am ugly and not accept me, but I am still a person who has a heart, feelings, and a brain. I should be treated with respect, just as anyone else should be.”
During difficult times, love persists.
Joseph prefers to receive questions rather than stares regarding his condition. He emphasizes the importance of independence, as he experienced excessive protectiveness during his youth. His adoption stemmed from his birth mother’s surprise at his condition, yet he remains steadfast in not letting it define or limit him.
Despite enduring difficult treatments such as bone and skin grafts along with jaw reconstruction, Joseph faced self-esteem challenges in his youth, fearing a life of isolation. However, in 2019, he met Vania, who would become his wife. Their relationship started as friends and evolved into a deep and meaningful love story.
Curiosity blossomed into a deep love that bound them together.
When Vania first encountered Williams at her workplace, she was intrigued but uncertain about how to approach his condition. Eventually, she learned about it through someone else. Williams had faced various reactions to his condition, from curious stares to people avoiding him out of discomfort.
Despite these challenges, Joseph and Vania forged a deep bond. Their friendship gradually evolved into a romantic relationship, though Vania initially struggled with feelings of embarrassment. Over time, she fully embraced him for who he was. They communicate using a text-to-speech app and sign language. When Vania’s mother, Janice, first met Williams, she was initially surprised but curious about his condition.
Despite initial uncertainties, their love triumphed.
Vania’s mother expressed her admiration, saying, “He’s a remarkable man. He does things that, you know, normal men don’t do. He’s a hard worker, for one, he’s attentive to Vania. He cares about her, he loves her, and she loves him.”
Despite initial doubts, Williams and Vania got married in 2020, supported by her parents and his loved ones.
Their relationship has sparked various opinions from people, with many making assumptions about them. Some have commented, “She can’t kiss him,” or “She must be cheating on him.” However, their unwavering determination and deep love for each other have never stopped them from pursuing their dreams, proving that love conquers all and prevails above all else.
Their story is a testament to the immense power of love to overcome obstacles and defy societal expectations. Through highs and lows, doubts and triumphs, they have forged a remarkable bond that will endure a lifetime.
Countless other stories similarly demonstrate that love is an unstoppable force capable of conquering any adversity.
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