With the anticipation of lovers waiting for the first hint of dawn, fans of the Queen of Pop have finally had their wishes granted. Cher’s long-awaited memoir, titled Cher: The Memoir, Part One, has hit the shelves, marking the first of two volumes providing insight and anecdotes from the life of the musical icon. The release on November 19, 2024, has been met with fervent enthusiasm as readers are eager to immerse themselves in the vibrant world Cher has navigated over the decades.
Tracing her extraordinary life story, Cher’s memoir captures her rise from humble beginnings to the glitzy heights of fame. Born Cherilyn Sarkisian on May 20, 1946, she recounts her childhood filled with both struggles and dreams. Her narrative takes readers through the twists and turns reminiscent of her own personal rollercoaster, from her experiences as a teenage runaway to becoming part of the famous duo Sonny & Cher, and beyond. With stark honesty, she touches upon her impactful relationships and the fabric of life in the entertainment industry.
The first part of this two-part memoir reveals its fair share of laughs, heartaches, and legendary encounters, painting Cher not only as the “Goddess of Pop,” but as perhaps even more compelling—a survivor against the odds. Cher herself describes her life experiences as “Dickensian,” reflecting on her tumultuous childhood and the few moments spent briefly at a Catholic orphanage. This introduction sets the stage for what promises to be one heck of a read.
“Who thought I was going to live this long? Now seems as good a time as any,” Cher remarked during the launch, emphasizing her motivation for finally putting pen to paper. While many may associate her name with glitz, glamour, and impeccable style, her memoir allows fans to witness the grit and determination behind the persona of Cher—a figure who has consistently defied mainstream norms and stereotypes.
One of the most poignant aspects of Part One is Cher’s willingness to expose the vulnerability beneath her glamorous exterior. "There are some things nobody’s business, but there are not a lot," she admitted. Cher pushes beyond her comfort zone, narratively stripping the layers of her personality to reveal the woman behind the music, the fashion, and the fame.
Across its chapters, readers find poignant recounts of her tempestuous marriage to Sonny Bono and the deep-rooted friendship they managed to maintain long after their split. Cher humorously recalled moments of their relationship laden with ups and downs, calling their bond strange but significant. She cheekily mused about the “teeny bit of grudge” she held against Sonny, illustrating the complex web of love, anger, and forgiveness intertwined throughout their lives.
Despite the public perceptions of their marriage depicted by press and pundits, Cher boldly seeks to correct the record. "People have gotten so much wrong—especially about Sonny and my relationship. I really tried hard to make people understand it because it doesn’t play well,” she comments, making it clear how significant their connection was, even after their romantic ties ended.
Now 78 and still remarkably vibrant, Cher does not shy away from speaking about her motivations, triumphs, and losses. "Just when I thought I had it all figured out, life threw me yet another curveball," she shared thoughtfully, reflecting on her experiences with addiction and the many lessons she learned along the way. Interestingly, Cher emphasizes how she managed to steer clear of the allure of drugs prevalent during her time. “I wasn’t interested. I didn’t want to do cocaine, because when someone was doing cocaine, they just talked to you endlessly about boring things,” she explained with candid humor.
Across the pages, the narrative zips from her teenage ambition to the savvy showbiz equations she learned from legends like Lucille Ball—a woman she turned to for advice during her rocky marriage. Cher’s call to Ball encapsulates the exchange of wisdom between icons: “I told her, ‘Lucy, I want to leave Sonny, you’re the only one I know who’s been through this,’ and she told me, ‘F** him, you’re the one with the talent.’” This quintessential Cher moment is both thoughtful and validating, reflecting the struggles so many face behind the shimmering facade of fame.
The memoir also includes entertaining anecdotes about Cher’s encounters with various Hollywood icons, her early stardom achievements, and her perspective on beauty and confidence. Fame may have been swift for Cher, but it was built upon her relentless work ethic and the desire to create genuine connections. Her not-so-great opinion of her then-husband’s musical talent adds humor and candor. She reminisced, “We all knew if Phil Spector asked for Sonny, he was desperate.”
Critics are applauding Cher's memoir for its wit and humor, with some commenting on how it successfully weaves complex tales of personal strife and resilience. Alexander Jacobs of The New York Times Book Review describes it as “a riveting tale spun with spontaneity and humor.” Similarly, Marc Ballon from The Los Angeles Times called it “an unalloyed delight for the senses.”
Cher’s life—highlights of which include her stunning career moves and distinctive style—began fostering her artistic ambitions early on. Readers learn about Cher’s unique fashion choices, which were sometimes met with mockery but eventually became emblems of empowerment. “The world has changed quite a bit over the course of my life and career, but on so many issues, I’ve been consistently right on time, whether it be gay rights, women’s rights, or even showing off my midriff,” she reflects proudly.
Behind the powerful stories of practice, struggle, and triumph, Cher’s memoir is also about learning to embrace oneself. Moving through the chapters, Cher urges readers to find their voices and have confidence—an empowering message echoed throughout her extraordinary life. “I just kept tripping forward, and I’m still working on it. I didn’t really realize my worth until later,” she admits, leaving the reader with her trademark blend of sincerity and cheekiness.
There's no doubt Cher has faced her share of heartaches, misjudgments, and societal pressures through her life but she has also capitalized on these experiences to shape her creative endeavors. The eventual love and admiration from her fans and peers became instrumental to her survival. “We're all just people trying to figure it out,” she mused, alluding to the authenticity with which she approaches her life and memoir.
Gerard Shans, writing for The Washington Post, noted Cher’s enlightenment and how it shines through, commenting on how “in moments of vulnerability, Cher manifests strength, capturing the essence of what it means to be human.”
Overall, Cher: The Memoir, Part One is not just an overview of her life but a collection of lessons learned from love, loss, and resilience wrapped up with fabulous insights from one of the most beloved icons of our time. Cher’s larger-than-life personality leaps off the page, engaging readers with her sharp yet warm voice. Cher invites fans and new readers alike to join her on this captivating literary voyage and this, combined with the promise of Part Two, has already spurred considerable discussion and excitement among her legion of admirers—and the curious too!
The memoir is truly just the beginning of what Cher describes as “far from over.” Readers can expect another glimpse of the multifaceted star once Part Two releases, titled Cher: The Memoir, Part Two*, which will continue the stories from the early ’80s onwards. Cher’s legacy is continuing to grow as she embraces each stage of her life with passion and resilience. “I mean, I don’t usually quit. I have to be crawling on the ground... and even then, I’ll crawl on the ground and keep going,” she concluded. Fans everywhere are ready to eagerly await what else she has to share.
