‘Who Picked That Outfit?’: Users React to 71-Year-Old Cyndi Lauper’s Viral Concert Performance – Video

On January 11, 2025, a social media post showing musical legend Cyndi Lauper, 71, performing one of her hit songs during a concert went viral on X. Although Lauper proved she still has the performance prowess that her fans recognize from back in the day, many were more focused on what she wore.

The now-viral video, originally posted by TikToker Luis Penaloza, captured Lauper commanding the stage in her signature quirky fashion.

Dressed in a futuristic, metallic silver ensemble with structured shoulders and a corset-like design, Lauper looked every bit the bold performer she’s known to be.

Her bright turquoise hair added a splash of color to her eye-catching ensemble, making her a standout presence under the vibrant stage lights.

At the beginning of the clip, Lauper is seen standing confidently at the center of the stage, giving her band the cue to start with a spirited “1, 2, 3, 4.” The music kicked off, and the nostalgic melody of her hit song, “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough,” filled the arena.

Throwback images and footage from the original music video flashed across the massive screens behind her, setting the perfect backdrop for a moment steeped in ’80s nostalgia.

As the audience erupted in cheers, Lauper moved energetically across the stage, striking playful poses and engaging with the crowd.

At one point, she walked to the edge of the stage, leaning into the audience as she sang with passion and fervor. Her bold outfit shimmered under the spotlights, emphasizing every movement and adding an extra layer of flair to her captivating performance.

Above the viral re-post of Penaloza’s TikTok video, the X user who re-shared it penned a message asking what happened to Lauper. A similar sentiment was echoed by many others but with regard to what Lauper chose to wear for the show.

The online reaction to the viral clip was a mix of praise, humor, and criticism, with many users focusing on Lauper’s bold silver ensemble.

“who picked that outfit! omg [sic],” wondered one observer, while another bluntly opined, “That outfit is not flattering 😳.” “She needs a new look to compliment her age. I don’t think she gets it yet,” added an opinionated netizen.

A few commenters speculated about what the singer might be wearing beneath the costume, with one asking, “Is she wearing a diaper?” and another remarking, “Yeah, you can tell she’s wearing depends [sic] 😎😅😅😅😅😂😂😂😂🤡🤡.” Continuing in the same vein, someone else wrote, “Depends diaper and no longer ‘tucking?'”

Despite the critiques of Lauper’s outfit, some fans were quick to defend her talent and stage presence. “She’s still beautiful. Love Cyndi!!” declared a supporter.

Another fan acknowledged, “Moving like that at 71 is impressive. She clearly enjoys what she’s doing and is still working hard. Worthy of applause.”

“OK, so, she’s old and weird. She used to be young and weird. She’s still one of my favorite female voices. I’m a child of the 80’s and ‘Time after Time’ still kills me every time,” stated a fellow admirer.

On the other hand, one person offered a more balanced critique, praising Lauper’s musical talent while taking issue with her wardrobe choices. They noted, “She can sing and is amazing in person. She just has a bad costume designer.”

The widely discussed performance, where Lauper donned her contested silver outfit, wasn’t just another concert stop — it was part of her highly anticipated farewell tour, fittingly titled Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.

Lauper announced the farewell tour’s UK and EU dates in a post on June 26, 2024, confirming that she would be hitting stages across Europe in February 2025 to bid her fans a final, festive goodbye.

Just a day before she shared her tour dates, Lauper opened up about the farewell tour during an interview with The Guardian. For Lauper, her tour is more than a series of concerts — it’s a celebration of her remarkable career and a tribute to the fans who stood by her side throughout the years.

“I want to say thank you to all the people that followed [sic] me from one album to the next. I just want to say goodbye in a fun way that will make them feel like they are at a party,” explained the “True Colors” singer.

During a July 2024 appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Lauper, who was 70 at the time, shared her thoughts on why now felt like the right time to bow out from the grueling routine of touring.

When Clarkson asked whether it was really farewell, Lauper didn’t hesitate to confirm her decision, “Yeah, no more trains, planes, and automobiles for this one here. No more.”

Lauper explained that the farewell tour isn’t about slowing down but about going out on a high note while she still feels strong and capable of giving her best performances.

“Listen, I just feel strong now, you know, and I wanna celebrate. If I’m gonna do something, I wanna do it while I’m strong enough to sing the way I wanna sing and I wanna be able to, uh, celebrate,” she emphasized.

What makes this tour particularly exciting for Lauper is the arena-sized production, something she hasn’t tackled since the 1980s.

Lauper also shared her enthusiasm for the modern-day advancements in stage technology, saying, “It’s an arena tour. I haven’t done it since the ’80s, right, so I’m excited to do the tour because I view it as the technology now, c’mon, is so awesome! You could mix so many things.”

However, she made it clear that there won’t be any over-the-top pyrotechnics involved, joking, “I mean I’m not gonna have pyrotechnics, I saw what happened to Michael.”

The comment, a lighthearted nod to the infamous incident when the late Michael Jackson’s hair caught on fire during a Pepsi commercial in the ’80s, added a playful touch to her otherwise reflective tone.

While Lauper is saying goodbye to life on the road, she revealed that her creative pursuits are far from over, as she excitedly mentioned her upcoming musical, “Working Girl,” during her chat with Clarkson.

Lauper shared her plans for the project’s timeline, disclosing, “In ’25, we’ll go out of town, in ’26, we’ll probably head toward Broadway.” For now, fans can catch Lauper on stage for one last time during her farewell tour. Those interested in purchasing tickets can do so on Lauper’s website.

The iconic musician’s legendary career spans decades, cementing her status as one of the most influential and celebrated artists in music history.

With more than 50 million records sold worldwide, Lauper is a Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning performer known for her distinctive voice, bold fashion, and genre-defining hits like “Time After Time,” “True Colors,” and the timeless anthem “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”

She made history with her debut album, “She’s So Unusual,” becoming the first woman to achieve four top-five singles from a debut record.

Beyond her chart-topping success, Lauper has made waves on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for Best Original Score for “Kinky Boots” in 2013.

Her impact reaches far beyond music — Lauper is a tireless activist, advocating for women’s rights, LGBTQ youth, and those affected by HIV/AIDS through her organization True Colors United.

In recent years, she launched the Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights Fund to support women’s health and rights.

From receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Lauper’s legacy continues to grow.

Her life and career were celebrated in the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of “Let The Canary Sing,” a documentary that highlights her influence as a trailblazing artist and activist.

With her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun farewell tour underway, Cyndi Lauper is leaving the stage on her own terms — as a celebrated icon who changed the face of music and culture forever.