Cher: A Legacy of Reinvention, Resilience, and Authenticity

TBH I’m Not Sure If I Believe in Life After Love

Few figures in pop culture command the same reverence as Cher. With a career spanning over six decades, she’s remained a fixture in music, film, fashion, and television—not just for her talent, but for her unwavering ability to evolve. Her signature contralto voice, boundary-pushing style, and unapologetic boldness have made her more than just a superstar; they've made her a symbol. For generations of gay men, Cher has been a guiding light—an embodiment of survival, reinvention, and self-expression. Her journey through heartbreak, public scrutiny, and professional reinvention mirrors the resilience often demanded of queer people navigating a world that hasn’t always embraced them. And while Believe may have introduced a new generation to her sound, it’s the spirit behind the song—and the woman behind the icon—that continues to resonate so deeply.

The Origins of an Icon

Long before she was a cultural institution, Cher was Cherilyn Sarkisian, a determined girl from El Centro, California, born on May 20, 1946. Raised primarily by her mother after her parents’ divorce, Cher faced early challenges, including dyslexia and academic struggles. But even then, her magnetism was undeniable. She captivated classmates with impromptu lunchtime performances and a rebellious sense of style that signaled she was never meant to blend in.

Drawn to the spotlight, Cher left school at 16 and headed to Los Angeles, where she began dancing in clubs along the Sunset Strip. It was there, in 1962, that she met Sonny Bono, a connection that would change the course of her life and her career. Through Sonny’s work with famed producer Phil Spector, Cher began singing background vocals on hits like Be My Baby and You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’. Though Spector produced her first solo single under the pseudonym Bonnie Jo Mason, it was her partnership with Sonny—sparked in part by her stage fright and preference for singing alongside him—that propelled them both to fame.

What began as a collaboration born from fear soon blossomed into a dynamic duo that challenged conventions of pop stardom. With her distinctive voice and androgynous glam, Cher defied the expectations placed on young women in the entertainment industry. And in doing so, she began laying the foundation for her future role as a queer icon—someone unafraid to live loudly, love boldly, and blaze her own trail.

The Rise of Sonny & Cher

By the mid-1960s, Cher’s journey from backup vocalist to star was beginning to take shape. Teaming up with Sonny Bono, the pair initially performed under the name Caesar and Cleo, releasing a handful of singles that garnered little attention. But everything changed in 1965 when they rebranded as Sonny and Cher and released what would become their breakout hit: I Got You Babe. The song soared to number one in both the United States and the United Kingdom, cementing their status as pop music’s newest power couple.

That same year, their debut album Look At Us climbed to number two on the U.S. charts, featuring additional hits like Just You and Baby, Don’t Go. Their chemistry, both musical and romantic, captivated audiences, and their style challenged the rigid gender norms of the era. Offstage, they held an unofficial wedding ceremony in Tijuana, Mexico, in late 1964, further fueling their image as the ultimate ‘60s love story.

Heartbreak, Reinvention, and High Notes: Cher’s Turbulent but Triumphant ’70s

The 1970s marked a decade of transformation for Cher, both professionally and personally. Following the success of Sonny and Cher’s early musical partnership, the duo reemerged as pop culture powerhouses with The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, a top-rated variety show that ran from 1971 to 1974. Blending musical performances with sketch comedy and cheeky banter, the show introduced the pair to a new generation and reestablished their celebrity status. Central to its appeal was Cher herself, commanding the screen with razor-sharp wit, effortless charisma, and head-turning Bob Mackie designs. Her bold fashion choices on the show became iconic, inspiring generations of drag performers and LGBTQ+ fans who saw in her a symbol of glamor, humor, and unshakable confidence.

At the same time, their music continued to chart, with the release of Sonny & Cher Live in 1971 and All I Ever Need Is You in 1972—the title track of the latter peaking at number seven. But while their professional chemistry lit up the screen, behind the scenes, their marriage was unraveling.

Meanwhile, Cher’s solo career was hitting new heights. Her 1971 album Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves reached number 16 on the charts and delivered her first number-one solo single. The follow-up single, The Way of Love, climbed to number seven and carried a lyrical ambiguity that resonated with LGBTQ+ audiences. Sung from a woman’s perspective, but originally penned by men, the lyrics offered queer fans an emotional mirror for unrequited or socially unaccepted love, making the song feel quietly subversive in an era when queerness remained largely invisible in pop music.

Cher’s momentum continued with back-to-back chart-toppers: Half-Breed (1973) and Dark Lady (1974), each showcasing her flair for theatrical storytelling and vocal power. Yet, the decade wasn’t without struggle. In 1974, she finalized her split from Sonny Bono, following years of behind-the-scenes strain masked by their public persona. Though the marriage had ended, Cher continued pushing forward, launching her own solo variety show and entering a brief, volatile marriage with musician Gregg Allman, with whom she had a son, Elijah.

But as her personal life grew more complicated, her professional footing became increasingly unstable. The commercial disappointment of Stars, I'd Rather Believe in You, and Cherished coincided with a canceled European tour, the unraveling of her marriage to Allman, and the ultimate demise of her television comeback with The Sonny & Cher Show in 1977.

Cher’s Disco Era and Solidified Gay Icon Status

By the late 1970s, Cher had officially adopted her mononym, shedding the remnants of her former duo identity and stepping further into her own spotlight. With two high-profile divorces behind her, mounting financial pressures, and a music career that had seen both chart-toppers and commercial flops, Cher was once again poised for reinvention. And whether by intention or instinct, she was stepping into an era that would solidify her place as a gay icon.

Though she had long attracted a queer following thanks to her theatrical flair, emotional ballads, and larger-than-life fashion, this period marked a turning point. Her resilience in the face of personal and professional upheaval truly struck a chord. Like Judy Garland before her, Cher’s public divorces, career pivots, and emotional vulnerability mirrored the struggles and reinventions familiar to many gay men.

At the peak of disco, a genre with deep roots in queer nightlife, Cher made a calculated return to music with the 1979 release of Take Me Home. Despite initial reluctance, and under the guidance of Casablanca Records, she embraced the glittering genre. The album peaked at number 25, and its title track became a certified hit, reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, her biggest single in five years. With sultry vocals, rhinestone bodysuits, and disco beats pulsing through gay clubs across America, Take Me Home became more than a comeback; it was a cultural moment.

Later that year, she followed up with Prisoner, which blended disco and rock influences. While the album itself failed to chart and its single Hell on Wheels peaked at number 59, it marked a transitional phase for Cher as she explored new sounds and personas. She continued this experimentation into the early ’80s, including a duet with Meat Loaf in 1981 and the release of I Paralyze in 1982. Though none of these projects achieved commercial success, they demonstrated Cher’s refusal to conform or retreat, traits that only deepened her appeal to LGBTQ+ audiences who knew too well the cost of resilience.

Cher’s Rise as a Hollywood Powerhouse

As the momentum of Cher’s music career began to slow in the early 1980s, she made a bold pivot toward acting. Her earlier attempts at film, including Good Times and Chastity, had been critical and commercial disappointments, leading many in Hollywood to dismiss her as little more than a pop star dabbling in film. Frustrated by the lack of meaningful opportunities, she turned to Las Vegas performances to maintain financial stability, though she later described the experience as unfulfilling and likened it to “an elephant’s graveyard for fading stars.”

In 1982, determined to break through as a serious actress, Cher relocated to New York with the intention of studying under renowned acting coach Lee Strasberg. Instead, she found herself cast in Robert Altman’s Broadway production of Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean. Her performance garnered critical praise and led Altman to cast her in the film adaptation later that year. It was a turning point, one that caught the attention of director Mike Nichols, who cast her alongside Meryl Streep in the 1983 drama Silkwood. Though audiences were initially skeptical, Cher silenced critics with a raw, grounded performance that earned her both a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination.

She continued to prove her dramatic range in Mask (1985), portraying Rusty Dennis, a tough-yet-vulnerable biker mother. While she was awarded Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival, she was controversially snubbed by the Oscars, likely due to her public clash with director Peter Bogdanovich. After the studio altered the film against his wishes, Bogdanovich called for a boycott. Cher, however, refused to comply and openly criticized him, saying he prioritized his own interests over the film’s. Her refusal to back down made headlines and highlighted her refusal to play by Hollywood’s unwritten rules.

At the 1986 Academy Awards, Cher responded with flair. Donning a dramatic, feathered Bob Mackie ensemble now known as her “revenge dress,” she challenged industry expectations of what a “serious actress” should look like. Her now-iconic quip while presenting—“As you can see, I did receive my academy booklet on how to dress like a serious actress”—was more than a joke; it was a declaration. Cher was not going to shrink herself to fit the mold.

That same rebellious spirit was on full display during her infamous appearance on Late Night with David Letterman, where she called the host an “asshole” during a tense interview, only to return a year later for a much warmer reunion, culminating in a surprise performance of I Got You Babe with Sonny Bono. It would be their final public appearance together.

In 1987, Cher’s acting career reached new heights. She starred in three major films, Suspect, The Witches of Eastwick, and Moonstruck, each showcasing her versatility. But it was her role as Loretta Castorini in Moonstruck that earned her the ultimate vindication: the Academy Award for Best Actress. No longer just a singer dabbling in film, Cher had fully reinvented herself as a Hollywood heavyweight.

Cher’s Rock Resurgence

By the late 1980s, Cher wasn’t just reinventing herself—she was roaring back into the spotlight with a new sound, a defiant attitude, and a look that would help solidify her place as a full-fledged gay icon. In November 1987, she launched her rock comeback with the release of Cher, a bold, guitar-driven album that peaked at number 32 on the Billboard charts. It produced two major hits: I Found Someone (No. 10) and We All Sleep Alone (No. 14), both of which showcased her gritty vocals and emotional depth. Though later singles like Skin Deep and Main Man saw less commercial success, they underscored Cher’s commitment to embracing reinvention on her own terms.

Her rock transformation continued to gain momentum with the 1989 release of Heart of Stone, which climbed to number 10 on the Billboard 200 and produced a string of hit singles. The album’s first, After All, a duet with Peter Cetera, was featured in the film Chances Are and reached number six on the Hot 100 and topped the Adult Contemporary chart. But it was If I Could Turn Back Time that became a career-defining anthem. Written by hitmaker Diane Warren specifically for Cher, the track almost never happened. Initially rejecting the song, Cher was reportedly convinced only after Warren begged her, literally clinging to her leg during a session, until she agreed to record it.

The music video for If I Could Turn Back Time is also one of the most iconic of the era. Shot aboard the USS Missouri, it featured Cher in a now-legendary Bob Mackie-designed black one-piece over a sheer, fishnet bodysuit that left little to the imagination—including her butterfly tattoo. The Navy had approved the shoot as a recruiting opportunity, unaware of the risqué ensemble that would scandalize officials and viewers alike. MTV initially banned the video for its sexual imagery, later relegating it to late-night airtime. A tamer version was eventually produced for broader release, but the original had already cemented itself as a provocative pop culture moment.

Reinvention, Resilience, and Advocacy: Cher in the 1990s

The 1990s marked another era of reinvention for Cher—one that blended career pivots, personal challenges, and a deepening connection to the LGBTQ+ community. In 1990, she starred in the hit film Mermaids alongside Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci, further showcasing her versatility as an actress. Her contributions to the film’s soundtrack, including Baby I’m Yours and a cover of The Shoop Shoop Song, saw modest success, with the latter reaching number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a fan favorite in international markets.

That same momentum continued with the 1991 release of her rock album Love Hurts. While it didn’t match the chart dominance of Heart of Stone, it peaked at number 48 and produced two Top 40 singles: Love and Understanding (No. 17) and a powerful cover of Bonnie Tyler’s Save Up All Your Tears (No. 37), which has since become a cathartic anthem for many. Additional singles like When Lovers Become Strangers found a home on the Adult Contemporary chart, but Cher’s visibility began to wane as her health declined.

In the mid-1990s, she was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus, which led to chronic fatigue syndrome. This condition forced her to pause high-profile film and music projects, including turning down lead roles in Thelma & Louise and The War of the Roses. To maintain financial stability, Cher pivoted to infomercials, endorsing health and beauty products. Critics mocked her and labeled her the “infomercial queen,” which was even parodied in 1995’s Clueless, where Alicia Silverstone’s character quips, “Dionne and I were both named after famous singers of the past who now do infomercials.”

Despite setbacks, Cher pressed forward. In 1992, she released a Greatest Hits album, followed by It’s a Man’s World in 1995. Though it peaked at only number 64, the album was critically well-received for its experimental blend of Southern soul and pop. Its singles, particularly One by One, found their place within queer spaces, not just for the Junior Vasquez remix that landed on the US Dance chart, but for the song’s introspective lyrics that resonated with themes of identity, love, and belonging.

During this decade, Cher’s public support for LGBTQ+ rights became more vocal and deliberate. She used her platform to speak out against homophobia and to advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness, often aligning herself with icons like Elton John and participating in charitable efforts. Her personal connection to the community deepened further in 1995 when her child, Chaz Bono, publicly came out as a lesbian in The Advocate. Though Cher initially struggled with the news, something Chaz later detailed in his memoir, she quickly evolved into a proud and outspoken ally. In 1996, she appeared on the cover of The Advocate with the headline “Proud Mom,” signaling her own “coming out” as the parent of an LGBTQ+ child.

While Cher embraced her role as an advocate, Chaz’s relationship with his father, Sonny Bono, who had by then become a Republican congressman, grew strained due to political differences. Tragically, Sonny died in a skiing accident in January 1998, and Chaz had not spoken to him for over a year. That May, Sonny and Cher were posthumously honored together with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for their contributions to television. Later that year, Cher released The First Time, a reflective collection of autobiographical essays that chronicled key moments in her life and legacy.

Cher’s Dance Revolution with Believe

As the 1990s drew to a close, Cher once again reinvented her sound, pivoting away from rock toward a bold, dance-driven, Euro-pop style that would redefine her career and amplify her cultural impact, especially within LGBTQ+ communities. In October 1998, she released Believe, a single that marked a seismic shift, both sonically and symbolically.

Following the modest reception of It's a Man's World (1995), Warner Music’s UK head, Rob Dickins, encouraged Cher to embrace a dance album that would resonate with her loyal gay fan base. Though initially skeptical of dance music, criticizing it for lacking “real songs,” Cher’s interest grew after the 1996 club remix success of her track One by One, which opened the door for a new direction.

Songwriter Brian Higgins sent a demo tape filled with potential tracks, with Believe immediately standing out for its emotional depth and chorus. Yet the original verses were widely seen as uninspired. Producers Mark Taylor and Brian Rawling, along with songwriters Steve Torch and Paul Barry, reworked the song extensively, while Cher herself revised the second verse to give the character a tougher, more assertive voice, an emblem of her trademark resilience and refusal to be defined by vulnerability alone.

During the recording at Dreamhouse Studios in Kingston upon Thames, vocal frustrations arose. After numerous takes, Cher snapped at producer Taylor, demanding either better direction or a different singer. The breakthrough came when Taylor introduced a then-new technology called Auto-Tune. Applying it to Cher’s vocals at an extreme setting created a robotic, otherworldly effect, now famously known as the “Cher effect.” Though initially controversial, and even disliked by Dickins, Cher insisted on keeping the processed vocals, declaring that any attempt to remove it would be met with fierce resistance.

Believe was released in October 1998 and quickly ascended the charts. It debuted at number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one by March 1999, also topping the US Dance charts and climbing the Adult Contemporary ranks. At age 52, Cher became the oldest female artist to claim a number one on the Hot 100, breaking Tina Turner’s record. The song also set a record for the longest gap between number one singles—over 33 years—between I Got You Babe and Believe. Internationally, it topped charts in 21 countries and earned Cher a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in 2000.

The Believe album followed in November 1998, reaching number 3 on the US charts and dominating the Dance charts. Subsequent singles such as Strong Enough, All or Nothing, and Dov’è l’amore further cemented her presence in club culture, consistently hitting top spots on dance charts even when mainstream radio airplay waned. Furthermore, Cher’s 1999 Do You Believe? tour introduced her to a new generation of fans and revitalized her connection with the LGBTQ+ community, for whom the album’s themes of empowerment, reinvention, and resilience resonated deeply.

Cher’s Early 2000s: Experimentation, Dance, and Cultural Touchstones

In November 2000, Cher quietly released Not Commercial, an album that remains somewhat enigmatic. Originally written in 1994, this record showcased a darker, more introspective side of Cher, diverging from the signature pop and dance styles she was known for. Distributed exclusively through her website, Not Commercial had no singles and didn’t receive much mainstream attention, making it a hidden gem for devoted fans.

That same month, Cher made a memorable cameo on the groundbreaking sitcom Will & Grace. The episode featured Jack, a devoted Cher superfan, hilariously mistaking Cher for a drag queen impersonator. The playful exchange, including Jack critiquing Cher’s vibrato on If I Could Turn Back Time and her iconic slap accompanied by “Snap out of it!” (a nod to Moonstruck), reinforced Cher’s enduring status as a beloved figure within queer pop culture.

In November 2001, Cher returned with Living Proof, a dance-focused follow-up to Believe. Although it didn’t reach the same heights, peaking at number 9 on the UK charts and lower on U.S. charts, it still offered the club-ready anthems and emotional ballads that resonated with her fans. The UK lead single, The Music’s No Good Without You, found success on dance charts, while the U.S. lead single, Song for the Lonely, gained new significance after the 9/11 attacks, with Cher dedicating it to New York’s heroes. It climbed the dance charts and became a heartfelt anthem of resilience.

Though follow-up singles like Alive Again underperformed, tracks such as A Different Kind of Love Song and When the Money’s Gone/Love One Another topped the U.S. Dance charts, reinforcing Cher’s dominance in club culture. Cher also embraced her cultural icon status with another Will & Grace appearance, where Jack dreams of meeting her in heaven, and she delivers a cheeky line about divine worship that captures her blend of humor, camp, and queer appeal.

In June 2002, Cher launched what was billed as her farewell tour, spanning nearly three years until April 2005. But as history would prove, this was far from the end of her remarkable and ever-evolving career, which continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.

Vegas Residencies and Return to Film

After a three-year retirement, Cher made a triumphant return to the stage with a lucrative $60 million residency at Caesars Palace’s Coliseum in Las Vegas, running from 2008 to 2011 and spanning 200 shows. This residency reinforced her reputation as a live performer who could captivate audiences across generations.

In November 2010, Cher starred alongside Christina Aguilera in the musical film Burlesque. While the movie received mixed reviews, it remains a fan favorite for its camp and energy. Cher contributed two songs to the soundtrack: Welcome to Burlesque and You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me. The latter won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song and topped the U.S. Dance charts after being remixed, cementing Cher’s continued influence in dance music culture.

September 2013 saw the release of Closer to the Truth, which debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and climbed to number 11 on the U.S. Dance charts. The lead single, Woman’s World, embraced the high-energy dance sound that had become synonymous with Cher’s late-career renaissance, reaching number one on the U.S. Dance charts. Other singles like I Hope You Find It, a heartfelt cover originally by Miley Cyrus, showcased Cher’s emotional depth, charting on Adult Contemporary radio. Take It Like a Man and I Walk Alone both peaked at number two on the dance charts, further proving her lasting appeal in club culture.

In March 2014, Cher launched the Dressed to Kill tour, jokingly calling it her “last farewell tour,” a nod to her history of multiple comebacks. She returned to Vegas residency life in 2017 with a three-year run split between the Park Theater and MGM National Harbor, bringing her iconic performance style to fans across the country.

ABBA Covers, Holiday Albums, and Memoirs

In July 2018, Cher appeared as Sophie’s grandmother in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, marking another memorable moment in her enduring film career. That September, she released Dancing Queen, an album of ABBA covers infused with her distinctive style. The album was a commercial success, peaking at number three on the Billboard 200, number two on the U.S. Adult Contemporary charts, and number four on the U.S. Dance charts.

Singles from Dancing Queen included Fernando, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight), and SOS, with Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! reaching number four on the Dance charts. To support the album, Cher embarked on the Here We Go Again tour, which ran until March 2020 when it was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In May 2020, Cher released a Spanish-language cover of ABBA’s Chiquitita, with proceeds donated to UNICEF, demonstrating her continued commitment to philanthropy. Later that year, in November, she lent her vocals to a collaborative cover of Oasis’s Stop Crying Your Heart Out as part of the annual BBC Children in Need appeal.

October 2023 saw Cher release her first-ever holiday album, simply titled Christmas. The album peaked at number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Holiday Albums chart. Its lead single, DJ Play a Christmas Song, reached number 90 on the Hot 100, her first chart appearance since 2002, and notably topped the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart, marking her first number one there since 1989’s If I Could Turn Back Time. This achievement made Cher the only artist to have a number one song on a Billboard chart in each of the last seven decades, an extraordinary testament to her lasting influence.

In November 2024, Cher published Cher: The Memoir Part One, with a second volume expected in May 2026. She is also working on her 28th studio album, which she has suggested may be her final, closing a remarkable career that continues to inspire and resonate.

Cher’s Enduring Legacy

Cher’s extraordinary career, marked by multiple chart-topping hits, major awards across music, film, and television, and her recent induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, reflects not just immense talent but a remarkable spirit of resilience. Having sold over 100 million records worldwide and garnered prestigious honors, she stands as one of the most successful and influential entertainers in history. Yet, beyond these accomplishments lies a deeper lesson of perseverance.

Throughout decades of personal and professional challenges, Cher has continuously reinvented herself, boldly embracing change while staying true to her own instincts and passions. Whether facing industry setbacks, public scrutiny, or shifting cultural expectations, she refused to be defined or limited by others’ opinions. Instead, she trusted her intuition and vision, taking risks that sometimes faltered but often led to triumphant comebacks.

Cher’s journey resonates powerfully within the LGBTQ+ community, symbolizing the courage to embrace one’s authentic self despite adversity. Her legacy encourages anyone who feels counted out or underestimated to hold fast to their dreams, to listen to their inner voice, and to keep pushing forward with determination and grace. In doing so, she embodies the truth that reinvention is not only possible but can be profoundly fulfilling, and that true success is as much about the journey of self-discovery as it is about accolades.

And remember: every day is all we have, so you've got to make your own happiness.

For more information on this topic, listen to Episode 157. Gay Icons: The Goddess of Pop.

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