Cyndi Lauper‘s New Year’s Eve performance in Times Square caused quite a stir on Twitter. The 67-year-old legend, known for her ’80s hits like “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and “Time After Time,” kick-started her set with a duet of “True Colors” with Billy Porter, who starred in her original Broadway production of Kinky Boots. Things got very awkward after the first song, though.
this cyndi lauper performance… somebody come get your grandma 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/ELbzYE6XxD
— Koops (@koops45_) January 1, 2021
After “True Colors” was done, someone approached Cyndi. “Let’s take off you scarf,” the person said, but Cyndi did not want her scarf removed. “I’m on camera. I’m on camera,” she exclaimed, and the assistant quickly ran off the stage. After the on-screen scuffle, the next song began.
#CyndiLauper trying to get her scarf off while on camera is the summation of 2020 #rockineve pic.twitter.com/FWgfy5lkp5
— Alicia Jo Photo (@aliciajophoto) January 1, 2021
Fans had all kinds of reactions to Cyndi’s performance — which, to fans’ confusion, had a heavy EDM influence — and the scarf incident. “I love Cyndi Lauper, but what the hell is this [laughing emojis] and the dj behind her. they are killing it!!!! MVP was the lady that took Cyndi’s scarf in an awkward 40 seconds of TV,” one fan tweeted, while another wrote, “Cyndi Lauper gave us the performance 2020 deserved.”
Who had Cyndi Lauper performing EDM on their 2020 bingo card? #RockinEve
— nick franklin (@scar_power) January 1, 2021
Others had nicer tweets to share. “@cyndilauper is 67 years old. She rocked last night. The best part was telling my kids about what an icon she is and how they will never understand how much I want to be her when I grow up,” one viewer wrote, while another fan loved Cyndi’s performance just as much: “Seen my girl @cyndilauper on #RockinEve made me so happy this is beautiful. Let’s walk into 2021 with love happiness and joy.”
I’m on camera. I’m on camera. I’m on camera. I’m on camera.
— Gaby Diaz (@itsgabydiaz) January 1, 2021
No matter what Twitter was saying, Cyndi looked incredible on that stage! The pop icon rocked white platinum hair with a white latex motorcycle jacket and pants in a matching color, pulling off a very futuristic fit to usher us into a more hopeful future.
Cyndi joined a long list of performers for ABC’s New Year’s Eve special, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, which included other chart-toppers like Jennifer Lopez, Brandy, Nelly, Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, Machine Gun Kelly and so many more. Due to the pandemic, these talented artists couldn’t perform in front of the usual crowd that assembles in New York City’s Times Square on New Year’s Eve every year.