Turning back time and unearthing deep memories is no easy feat, especially for someone like Cher, the iconic singer and actress whose life has played out under the glaring spotlight of fame for nearly six decades. On November 19, Cher released the first part of her highly anticipated memoir, Cher: The Memoir, Part One. Unlike many celebrity biographies filled with glossy glamor, Cher’s narrative dives headfirst deep, tackling her tumultuous childhood and her complex marriage to music legend Sonny Bono.
At 78, Cher found writing her memoir both exhausting and cathartic. During the writing process, she even discarded her initial draft because it didn’t feel personal enough. She said, “Sometimes at the day's end, I would really be tired... but sometimes when we were in the bad part, the bad part weighed so heavily. Now it's over, and it's not a part of me.” Cher recalls moments of wanting to give up on sharing her story, feeling overwhelmed by the emotional weight of her past. Yet she knew to tell her story fully, she had to be honest. “If you're going to tell your life, you've got to tell your life,” she remarked.
Much of Cher’s memoir focuses on her childhood, which she describes as unstable. She reflects on growing up with her mother, Georgia Holt, who navigated life as a struggling artist and daughter of turbulent relationships, often exposing Cher to difficult situations. Cher didn’t have the fairy-tale upbringing many would assume; instead, she faced poverty and abandonment, which she candidly discusses. “I didn’t know a lot of my history until I was grown up,” she noted, emphasizing the impact her early life had on her identity.
One of the most pressing themes of the memoir is Cher's crumbling marriage to Bono, who was both her collaborator and partner. The couple, known for their iconic hits like “I Got You Babe,” married young when Cher was just 16 and Bono was 27. Cher has painted their marriage as “loveless,” fraught with issues of control and emotional turmoil. “He just started not to care about me,” she reveals, adding it was during this time she battled with suicidal thoughts, feeling trapped and lost. Cher even explained how she contemplated jumping off their balcony multiple times during their darker days together before being pulled back by thoughts of her family and fans.
Despite the hard truths, Cher’s voice throughout the memoir is punctuated with humor and resilience. Cher alludes to receiving advice from Lucille Ball, who told her to focus on her talent rather than be bogged down by her relationship. Drawing on her unique experiences, Cher has used her platform to inspire others, especially young women, saying she hopes her honesty brings comfort. She acknowledged, “I have been brought up by women who were kick-ass women, and they worked.”
The memoir covers broader themes, too. From her relationship with her son Chaz Bono, for whom she respects his identity and reflects on the love and support they share, to memorable encounters with other celebrities who shaped her life, the book is rich with narratives. Cher detailed moments like her interaction with Phil Spector, recounting how he once picked up a gun during a disagreement, showcasing the volatile world of music production she had entered.
Even as she tackled painful chapters, such as losing herself within the confines of her marriage, Cher also highlights the humor and spontaneity of her youth. The memoir’s richness lies not just in its candidness but in its ability to oscillate between joy and despair, reflecting the life of someone who witnessed the evolution of pop culture. “You can’t be an artist and not go through hard times,” she emphasizes, reminding her readers of the challenging ups and downs of creativity and fame.
Though the memoir discusses her rise to stardom and influence, it’s not just about fame. It transcends the glitz often associated with celebrity culture, offering readers glimpses of vulnerability resulting from real-life struggles. Cher admits there are parts of her story she chose to keep private, stating, “There are only a few things... I can't.”
The first installment of the book ends around 1982, just as Cher was on the brink of making pivotal changes, leaping toward more serious acting roles. She reflected on this transition, noting, “It was the beginning of something completely new.” The second part is set to cover her later career and personal evolution. Cher quipped about the decision to split her memoir, joking, “Who could have held it... to read it?”
Currently, Cher is enjoying life anew, seeing someone younger, which she sees as part of/ contradicting her previous belief of dating younger men, infusing her personal life with humor as she recounts her dating adventures. She mentioned her partner Alexander “AE” Edwards and laughed, highlighting the nuances of dating at her age. “Are you good? Are you bad?” she reflected on the importance of character over age.
Overall, the release of Cher: The Memoir, Part One is much more than just another celebrity biography. It’s raw, real, and infused with the kind of spontaneity and humor only Cher can muster. For those curious about the life behind the legend, Cher offers not just her memories but her legacy—a lesson on resilience, courage, and unabashed honesty.
