Cher opens up about her long-awaited memoir and her role in Mamma Mia!
Cher discussed her incredible career
Last updated 2nd Jan 2024
The brilliant Cher joined Greatest Hits Radio's Ken Bruce and Magic Radio's Harriet Scott for a special one-off event at Odeon Luxe in London's Leicester Square on Friday 1st December.
At the event, called Magic and Greatest Hits Radio present Cher: In Conversation, the iconic singer opened up about her incredible career so far - including her love for the Mamma Mia! films and an update on her long-awaited memoir.
Explaining that she is spoiled for choice when it comes to content for her memoir, Cher said: "Well, this is the deal. I've lived too long and done too much, and we're trying to cram it into one movie. The script was already written, but my friend who wrote it said, 'Cher, I just couldn't do it because you've lived too long and done too much.'
"And, also, I'm going back into the book again because I realised I should have been more forthcoming in things that I either didn't want to talk about, or things that I didn't talk about enough.
"Then I just thought, 'Cher, this is such bull----, you've got to come to the table with it, you know? So I'm going back and re-doing it."
Discussing her incredible role of Ruby Sheridan in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Cher explained: "I really loved doing the Mamma Mia album, I really did. So that was fun. And I was really proud of that, and I loved doing 'Fernando' in the movie.
"I had a lot of freedom. I had like really a lot of admiration for those girls, because they were in a pocket. You know, they couldn't move out of the pocket. It was like, this is the tempo you're doing, do it and it fit the song so well.
"But when I did it, I just kind of did whatever I wanted to. And one of my favourite songs is 'One Of Us.'"
Take a look at Cher's career through the years:
Cher's early years
Born Cherilyn Sarkisian, on 20th May 1946, Cher celebrated her 75th birthday in 2021. The singer has had a successful career, starting in the early 60s as a duo with her husband Sonny, before having success as a solo artist and actress.
1964 - Cher married Sonny Bono
Cher was just 16-years-old when she met and married Sonny (Salvatore Bono), who was 27-years-old at the time.
1964 - Sonny and Cher released two hit songs
As a duo, Sonny and Cher released a number of popular songs including 'Baby Don't Go' and 'I Got You Babe'. They were also nominated for two Grammy Awards and sold over 40 million records worldwide.
1967 - Cher starred in The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Cher's first acting role was an appearance in a 1967 episode of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. called 'The Hot Number Affair', starring as Ramona the model who captured the attentions of Jerry.
1969 - Chaz Bono was born
In 1969 Cher and Sonny welcomed their daughter Chastity. Chastity, now known as Chaz, is a trans man.
As a child, Chastity would often appear on the TV show The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.
1974 - The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour wins a Golden Globe
Sonny and Cher hosted their own television variety show in the 70s called The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, which won a Golden Globe in 1974 for Best Television Actress – Musical/Comedy Series.
1975 - Cher married Gregg Allman
Just four days after finalising her divorce from Sonny, Cher married Gregg Allman. They had one son, Elijah Blue, who was born in 1976.
1990 - Cher released 'The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)'
It was in 1990 that Cher released 'The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)', the singer covered this song for the 1990 film Mermaids, which she also starred in.
The song became Cher's first solo Number 1 single in the UK.
1998 - Cher releases ‘Believe’
'Believe' was a hugely popular song for Cher in 1998 reaching Number 1 across the world. The track was the lead song from her 22nd studio album. In 2021, 'Believe' was added to the revised list of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. 'Believe' also won several awards including a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.
Also in 1998, Cher (as part of Sonny and Cher) received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2000 / 2002 - Cher starred in Will & Grace
One of Cher's most iconic cameos was in Will & Grace, appearing in the show twice as character Jack's (Sean Hayes) favourite singer and role model. The first episode in 2000 called 'Gypsies, Tramps and Weed', named after Cher song 'Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves'. Of the cameo, Cher said: "We did two endings. I improvised one. I hope they show it as an outtake 'cause the audience loved that one more than the one they're gonna show. Instead of the thing I was supposed to do, I did something to Sean – something completely different and he just about passed out. I don't know what possessed me."
2014 - Cher appears on The Voice US as a mentor
Cher appeared on The Voice US as a mentor alongside Ed Sheeran, Ryan Tedder and Miguel. Cher was an adviser to Blake Shelton's singers.
2017 - Cher won the Billboard Icon Award
In 2017, Cher won the Billboard Icon Award. The winner of the award also performs at the ceremony, and in 2017, Cher sang her biggest hit 'Believe'. Previous winners of the award include Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion and Prince.
2018 - Cher starred in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
She may have only been in the film for about 10 minutes near the end, but Cher totally stole the show as Sophie Sheridan's (Amanda Seyfried) grandmother Ruby, singing 'Fernando'. Cher later released an album full of ABBA covers entitled 'Dancing Queen'. She said of the album: "After filming Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, I was reminded again of what great and timeless songs they wrote and started thinking, 'Why not do an album of their music?' The songs were harder to sing than I imagined but I'm so happy with how the music came out. I'm really excited for people to hear it. It's a perfect time."
In the same year, a musical called The Cher Show took to the stage in Chicago and later on Broadway. The musical's final performance on Broadway was in August 2019.
2020 - Cher launched the CherCares Pandemic Resource and Response Initiative
Cher launched the CherCares Pandemic Resource and Response Initiative (CCPRRI) in response to the Covid Pandemic. The charity's plan was to distribute $1 million to "chronically neglected and forgotten people" during the pandemic. The singer told Billboard: "There are rural areas where people of colour and Latinos and Native Americans were getting no services. It's not a lot of money — $1 million goes in the blink of an eyelash! — so now I'm trying to get my friends to make it a lot more so we can do something that will really meet people's needs. A friend once told me, 'When people walk in your path, then you know what you have to do.'"
2021 - The Cher Show makes its European debut
The Cher Show makes its European debut with a brand new production from Strictly Come Dancing champion Oti Mabuse and directed by Arlene Phillips. This musical takes us through Cher's pop culture-defining career, meeting her mother, and Sonny Bono, as well as icons such as legendary fashion designer Bob Mackie along the way.
2022 - Cher says she'll never let her hair go grey
Cher has been in the public eye for many decades, and over the years has worn an array of incredible outfits. She has become known for her bold style, and her long black hair has become part of her signature look.
In January 2022, Cher revealed that she will never let her hair go grey. She told People magazine: "(Going grey) is fine for other girls. I'm just not doing it!"
Cher biopic - coming soon
Although no title has been confirmed for the upcoming film, Cher is set to join the numerous musicians who have had films made about their amazing lives and careers.
2023: Dolly Parton confirms Cher will feature on upcoming rock album
In January 2023, country legend Dolly Parton teased she had drafted in more "iconic singers" for her upcoming rock album, 'Rock Star' - one of which is Cher. In an interview with US chat show The View, Dolly said: "We got a lot of great artists, iconic singers that are going to actually be on with us. So I'm really looking forward to it. I'm even going to have Cher on. I've been getting a song for her, we've been trying to get the right thing together. That's going to be a big thrill I think."
2023: Cher announces deluxe edition of her 1995 album 'It's A Man’s World'
In June 2023, Cher announced that a brand new version of her 1995 album 'It's A Man's World' would be released in July 2023. The album, which featured 14 songs initially, spawned her huge hits 'Walking In Memphis' and 'One By One'.
2023: Cher releases her Christmas album artwork
After teasing a big announcement was incoming, 7th September 2023 saw Cher finally unveil the artwork for her highly-anticipated Christmas album. Featuring a stunning picture of the singer, the album title 'Cher Christmas' was written in silver and red, surrounded by baubles of the same colour theme. The album was then released on 20th October.
2024: Cher announces memoir
Cher announced in July 2024 that she would be releasing a two-part memoir, with the first part launching on 19th November 2024, and the second part coming in Spring 2025.
2024: Mamma Mia 3 rumours
In 2024, rumours were rife about a potential third Mamma Mia movie — with Christine Baranski revealing plans are underway. When asked whether she'll be making an appearance again, Cher said: "You know Judy keeps threatening a film but so far I haven't seen a script. Judy is my friend so we talk about stuff.
"I never know exactly what I'm going to do until I do it. I have this feeling that 'what belongs to you comes to you'. Judy hasn't come to me yet."
October 2024: Cher inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
In October 2024, Cher was inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In her acceptance speech, in a ceremony in Ohio, she said: "It was easier getting divorced from two men than it was to get into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame."
Now read:
Charting Cher's success through the years
Cher's top 10 acting roles and cameos of all time
Cher releases her Christmas album full of collaborations