Cher, the “Goddess of Pop”, is an American singer, actress, and television personality, renowned for her distinctive contralto singing voice and her success in a wide variety of entertainment fields spanning over six decades. Born Cherilyn Sarkisian on May 20, 1946, in El Centro, California, she grew up with an unstable home life and left school at 16 to pursue acting in Los Angeles.
Her career began as half of the folk-rock duo Sonny & Cher alongside Sonny Bono. They first gained fame with their hit song “I Got You Babe” in 1965, which became a number-one hit in the United States. This led to a series of hit records and a popular television show, “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour”, establishing Cher as a popular figure in the music and television industry.
Cher’s solo career took off in the late 1960s with top ten hits like “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” and “You Better Sit Down Kids”. During the 1970s, she further solidified her pop icon status with a successful TV show, “Cher”, demonstrating her flair for comedy and knack for impersonations. She also ventured into disco music, which led to the release of hits like “Take Me Home”.
Following her split with Sonny in 1975, Cher experimented with various musical styles, including punk and new wave, and achieved commercial success with the rock-oriented album, “Cher” in 1987. This was followed by the triple platinum “Heart of Stone” in 1989, which featured her biggest selling single, “If I Could Turn Back Time”.
Parallel to her musical career, Cher made her mark in the film industry. She received critical acclaim for her performances in films such as “Silkwood” (1983), “Mask” (1985), and “Moonstruck” (1987), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Despite a slowdown in her music career during the late 1980s and early 1990s, her film successes solidified her position as a leading figure in the entertainment industry.
Cher experienced a major musical comeback in the late 1990s with the release of her album “Believe”, featuring the eponymous track that won her the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording. The album incorporated new technology and sounds, notably the use of Auto-Tune, now known as the “Cher Effect”.
Cher’s ability to adapt and reinvent herself has made her a consistent force in popular culture. In addition to her music and acting success, she is also a philanthropist and social activist, focusing on causes like HIV/AIDS research, veterans’ rights, and vulnerable children.
In the 21st century, Cher has continued her work in both music and film. Her musical contributions were celebrated with a residency in Las Vegas, while her acting prowess was demonstrated in films like “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” (2018). She also released an album of ABBA covers, “Dancing Queen”, following her “Mamma Mia” appearance.
Cher’s impact on popular culture is profound, having influenced countless artists across various music genres. She is known for her vocal range, unique fashion style, and indomitable spirit, pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a female performer in the industry. With countless awards and recognitions, including an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and three Golden Globe Awards, Cher remains one of the few performers to have achieved “EGOT” status.
Cher continues to be an enduring and captivating figure in the world of entertainment. Despite her advancing years, she shows no signs of slowing down, continually breaking new ground and inspiring generations of performers who follow in her footsteps. In March of 2023, she hinted that she may be going on tour again, for the first time in almost two decades.