Cher has reflected on the myriad challenges as well as the highs of parenthood in a new interview.
The focal point of her candid discussion with the LA Times was her son Chaz’s transition in 2009, an event she referred to as "difficult" for her.
While Cher's dynamic career has seen her brush shoulders with many from the LGBTQ+ community, Chaz's transition was initially hard for her to navigate.
“When Chaz went through the transition, that was difficult for me,” she remarked. However, her initial hesitation wasn't necessarily tied to societal norms. “It shouldn’t have been because, you know, I’ve had gay friends forever. I just met some beautiful trans chicks and we have an affinity. Now I’m totally fine,” Cher shared.
The difficulty Cher encountered wasn't centered around Chaz’s transitioning. It was the anticipation of witnessing who Chaz would evolve into. As she poignantly put it: “It’s hard to lose one child to get a new one, especially so late. I think that was the hard thing for me. I don’t think it was the transition. It was waiting to see who the person would be, and would they be so much different than the person that was before them.”
The 'Believe' singer had previously admitted to not handling Chaz’s transition with the utmost grace. But reflecting on that period, she gushed, “It took me a minute. Because you’ve been with a child for 40 years, and then all of a sudden … but you know what? Chaz was so happy!”
In an era brimming with debates about identity and politics, Cher's candid revelations offer a personal insight into how icons grapple with change, growth, and the world around them.
Switching gears in the interview, Cher also touched upon the political climate in the United States. She expressed her apprehension about the possibility of former President Donald Trump's return to the White House in the upcoming elections. In a conversation with The Guardian, Cher confessed, “I almost got an ulcer the last time. If he gets in, who knows? This time I will leave [the country].”
The diva's aversion to Trump isn't a new revelation. She's been consistently vocal about her disagreements with the former president's policies and approach. In December 2020, Cher commented on how Trump's tenure had shifted the cultural paradigm in the U.S., making it "toxic".
“People who just disagreed with each other before are now enemies,” she reflected. “I hate to even call him a president because all he does is watch TV.”
