Charting Cher's success through the years
She's been a successful singer, actress and TV host
Music icon Cher made her name in the 60s with her then husband Sonny, releasing songs such as 'I Got You Babe' and 'Little Man' as part of Sonny & Cher. She followed this with several decades of solo success with hit songs like 'If I Could Turn Back Time' and 'Believe' - and now, for the first time ever, the singer has a Christmas album out!
Along with her singing, Cher has also appeared in a number of films and TV shows. Starting out in the 60s with Sonny, the couple presented The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour which won a Golden Globe, later on Cher moved to the big screen appearing in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
Here we take a look through the highlights of Cher's career:
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.
Is Cher bringing out new music?
Yes! Cher released a Christmas album in 2023, despite many fans expecting another ABBA covers album.
After releasing her ABBA covers album 'Dancing Queen' in 2018, Cher was working on a second similar release but updated fans in January 2022 with what seemed to be news that the album was being shelved. She wrote: 'DID 3-4 SONGS 4 MAMMA MIA 2, BUT THINK I DID BEST SONGS IN FIRST ONE. MUST SAY LOVE “I DO I DO I DO”.' (sic)
Cher spoke about the release of her Christmas album in an interview with Good Morning Britain in September 2023. She said: "I'm really excited. I've never had duets or people on my records. This was a last-minute thing.
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