London , England ( CNN ) -- Lady Gaga has paid tribute to pop icon Cyndi Lauper as they join forces to raise HIV and AIDS awareness among women . Gaga and Lauper told CNN 's `` Connect The World '' women `` need to put their foot down '' in the bedroom . `` Cyndi is a lot of my inspiration , '' Gaga said , before relating how she and Lauper had met playing gay clubs in gay neighborhoods . Lauper replied : `` That 's very sweet . You know I get inspired by her . I get inspired to remember myself . '' Pop icon Gaga , who has enjoyed worldwide success thanks to songs such as `` Poker Face , '' `` Just Dance '' and `` Telephone '' is known as much for her distinctive fashion sense and extravagant performances as she is for her music . But she told CNN 's Becky Anderson that she was surprised a viewer had asked her whether she wrote her own songs . `` People are asking that question ? '' queried Gaga . `` I have written every single song I have ever sang and also produced a lot of the music . '' Gaga and Lauper are on a mission , along with cosmetics giant MAC , to ensure women are tested for HIV and AIDS . `` This is not a gay disease , this is a disease plaguing women , '' said Gaga . `` And I just want to clarify that . Because I think that 's the very sort of pre-assumption , that women are n't getting tested and allowing negotiations to go on in the bedroom and are not putting their foot down . '' Lauper added : `` I lost a lot of friends in the eighties and nineties and it was a big heartbreak and I ca n't just stand by . '' Gaga said that she had been a fan of MAC since she was young . `` MAC is a lifestyle , it is sort of this place and Mecca near my house where I could be who I wanted to be and find myself as an individual . '' She described being a role model to girls and young women as being not a burden but a privilege . `` I 'm so blessed that I 'm here , '' she said . `` I 'm absolutely not one of those people who 's a self-obsessed , masturbatory artist who does n't care about my fans or my effect on my fans . I have a very keen understanding of my effect or what I can do . `` And when you 're in the public eye you 're a role model whether you want to be or not . And I want to be . '' But both women were evasive on a possible collaboration with another blonde icon -- Madonna . `` I do n't know , '' said Lauper . `` Who knows ? You always keep it open . ''
Gaga is a worldwide pop icon thanks to hits such as `` Poker Face '' Promoting HIV and AIDS awareness along with singer Cyndi Lauper . Lauper says she does not know if the pair will collaborate with Madonna . Gaga : If you 're in the public eye you 're a role model whether you want to be or not .