Mark your calendars! Cher is gifting the world with her memoir, and because she’s a benevolent international icon, she’s divvying it up into two parts, bang bang. Now we have the cover and release date for the first volume: November 19. The cover is stylishly groovy, a black-and-white close-up shot of 60s – 70s era Cher that shows off her Egyptian goddess eyeliner. (Now that I think about it, the cover is rather reminiscent of Barbra Streisand’s My Name Is Barbra cover, hmm.) The title, however, is heartbreakingly boring: Cher: The Memoir, Part One. What, was Cher one of the few people who saw Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1 and got inspired? Anyway, here’s what we know so far:
Cher’s life story, in her own words, officially has a cover.
The music icon takes control of her narrative in her upcoming and deeply personal book, “Cher: The Memoir, Part One” — and TODAY has your first look at the memoir, which will be published in the U.S. on Nov. 19, 2024.
The newly unveiled cover features a black-and-white photograph of Cher in her signature dark locks and winged eyeliner, her face resting on its side with her hand over her head.
The “Believe” singer’s name is boldly displayed in a transitioning blue to hot pink shade, with the rest of the memoir’s title at the bottom.
“Cher: The Memoir, Part One,” published by Dey Street Books, an imprint of the William Morrow Group at HarperCollins Publishers, will give fans an inside look at the 78-year-old superstar’s groundbreaking and successful career.
In the first part, Cher shared her story of growing up as a dyslexic child with a chaotic upbringing and dreams of becoming famous. She also touches on meeting and marrying Sonny Bono, and their tumultuous relationship that made them famous worldwide — yet drove them apart.
Known as singing duo Sonny & Cher, the couple married in 1964 and famously co-hosted “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour” and “The Sonny & Cher Show.” They welcomed their first child together, Chaz Bono, in 1969. In 1974, Cher filed for divorce, which was finalized a year later.
The Grammy winner is also mother to son Elijah Blue Allman, whom she shared with her second ex-husband, the late Gregg Allman.
Cher’s story is described as “a life too immense for only one book,” by her publisher. “Cher: The Memoir, Part Two” is expected to be released in 2025.
Back in November, while on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Cher spoke about not being fully prepared to share her whole story with the world.
At the time, she didn’t have a title for her memoir, and Jimmy Fallon joked it should be called, “I Got Scoops Babe,” a play off her and Bono’s song “I Got You Babe.”
“I just totally chickened out. I didn’t put in some things that need to be in, and they’re not comfortable,” she said. “But they need to be put in, so I have to go back and man up.”
Adding, “I’ve lived too long and done too much, and so it’s like it should be the encyclopedia.”
Yes of course there should be an Encyclopedia Cher in this world. In fact, Encyclopedia Cher would’ve been a better title! Though personally, I think the absolute best option is from one of her own, inimitable quotes: I Used To Not Like Cher, But I’m Much More Used To Her Now. Or wait! Even better, make I Used To Not Like Cher part one, and then part two would be But I’m Much More Used To Her Now. It speaks to the universal journey towards self love and acceptance! C’mon Cher, you can still switch it up — it’s not too late to turn back type! I’m also looking forward to chapter titles like, “In Which I Tell the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame To Go You-Know-What Themselves,” and “5 Easy Steps For Prank Phone Calling Paul Giamatti Once A Year.” Yeesh, and I’m just giving these ideas aways for free…
photos credit: Xavier Collin / Image Press Agency / Avalon, Starstock/Photoshot Photo, Earl Miller/Avalon, UPPA/Photoshot Photo, Look Press Agency/Look Press / Avalon
I saw Cher in Vegas a few years ago and I am so here for that memoir. She’s amazing. Now, if only Stevie Nicks would write hers.
I would love to read Stevie Nicks. She’s always said that no matter what it is, you must be honest. She fascinates me.
Even if she doesn’t, we get a lot of Stevie in her songs.
oh I am excited for this. I think it will just be an interesting journey through music history as well as her life.
She already wrote a quasi-memoir back in the 90s, I didnt read it but my boss at the time was obsessed with Cher and I remember how much he liked it (he was the one who got me into her music to begin with lol.)
The Sonny and Cher Show WAS my childhood, even then I just hated 90% of the gowns they put her in LOL.
After that there was a period in history where they gave anyone with a hit song a “Variety Show”
Mr Tie a Yellow Ribbon has a lot to answer for.
Ha! I caught that reference! My favorite weird variety show moment was Tom Jones (yes, he had a show) hosting Janis Joplin, with the two doing a duet. Janis was sooooo utterly cool & Tom was…old guy singer (to this pre-teen).
Shoot, I may even be older than you, because I remember seeing in junior high a Sonny & Cher movie (on film, no VHS at the time) about the dangers of drugs.
Yes, just yes to Cher always!
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