Cyndi Lauper: Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them?

The question

Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

The Guardian's Q&A repeatedly uses this prompt, sometimes dropping 'living' while retaining the same comparative judgment.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Cyndi Lauper

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Aside from my mom, my husband, and my mother-in-law, Gloria Steinem, Dorothy Pitman Hughes, and RBG.

Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, April 2020 source ↗

Mentioned in this answer

Person Dorothy Pitman Hughes not yet on FLAPSS
Person Gloria Steinem
Person RBG not yet on FLAPSS

Others on this question

View all 407 →

Nigel Havers

The king – because he’s been through quite a bit and I think he’s come out the other side brilliantly.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 August 2026 source ↗

Rebecca Lucy Taylor

Julie Hesmondhalgh – she’s the kindest, brightest, most truthful woman. She’s so talented, works hard, cares about the right things, puts her energy in the right places. I adore her.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 November 2025 source ↗

Alison Moyet English singer

My older sister, Jeanne. We fought when we were kids, but she is so entirely capable.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 June 2017 source ↗

Gok Wan British fashion consultant, author, chef and television presenter

Mum and Dad, for staying true to their love; sister, for combining integrity and humour; brother, for never being afraid; and my best mate, for showing true loyalty.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 12 June 2010 source ↗