Cher, the iconic pop star, has always been a strong supporter of her son Chaz Bono’s gender identity. In her memoir, titled Cher: The Memoir, Part One, she reveals that she has received Chaz’s approval to use his deadname when referring to him before his transition in 2008.
Acknowledging the name Chas that Chaz went by in the years covered in the book, Cher states that her son has given his blessing for this usage. She plans to refer to him as Chaz in the next volume of the memoir at the appropriate time. Chaz Bono, Cher’s only child with her late ex-husband Sonny Bono, underwent a transition before turning 40 and legally changed his name to Chaz in 2010.
Cher, who has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, has been open about the challenges she faced in accepting Chaz’s decision to transition. In an interview with CNN in 2020, she shared the emotional difficulty of hearing Chaz’s old message on the phone after the transition. Despite the initial challenges, Cher emphasized that seeing Chaz happy made it all worth it and expressed frustration at people’s lack of understanding and fear towards the transgender community.
The first part of Cher’s memoir delves into her childhood, marriage to Sonny Bono, and early music career. The book, set to be released soon, reflects on Cher’s life journey and the experiences that have shaped her. While the second part of the memoir is expected to be released next year, Cher mentioned feeling emotionally drained by the process of writing the first part.
Cher’s unwavering self-acceptance and determination to share her story authentically shine through in her memoir. Despite any criticisms or judgments, Cher remains steadfast in her identity and the importance of staying true to oneself. Cher’s memoir serves as a testament to her resilience, honesty, and unwavering support for her son’s journey towards self-discovery and fulfillment.
