Cher on 60 Years of Fame: Music, Movies & Giving Back

Cher: A Career Spanning Decades, Activism, and Ambition

Key Concepts: Fame, reinvention, dyslexia, activism, animal rights, social media, Free The Wild, legacy, One Young World.

Early Ambition and the Pathway to Fame

Cher always wanted to be famous, driven by childhood dreams inspired by films like Cinderella and Dumbo. Despite lacking a clear path, she sang, danced, and wrote scripts. Meeting Sonny Bono at 16 was pivotal. He recognized her singing talent, leading to her early work as a background singer for Phil Spector, including on the song "Be My Baby." Cher acknowledges the role of fate and luck in her success, emphasizing that many are more talented but opportunity and circumstance played a significant role.

Navigating Success and "Reinvention"

Cher discusses how fame changed her life, noting that her numerous failures made the transition easier. She rejects the idea of reinvention, stating she simply became "more viable" after each setback, comparing herself to a bumper car changing direction. An example of this resilience is her move to New York, encouraged by Francis Coppola, where she secured a role in a Robert Altman play after a chance encounter facilitated by her mother. Despite a challenging audition where she revealed her dyslexia, she landed the part, eventually leading to recognition from Mike Nichols and a role in Silkwood.

Oscar Win for Moonstruck and Overcoming Industry Bias

Cher's role in Moonstruck earned her the Oscar for Best Actress. She recalls the challenges of breaking into the film industry and remaining true to herself. She felt that the industry didn't take her seriously, criticizing her style and relationships. Her win was unexpected, as she had prepared no speech, having lost previously for Silkwood. She recounts a prior protest against the Academy's perceived bias, wearing a feathered outfit and sarcastically referencing a "pamphlet on how to dress like a serious actress."

Free The Wild: Animal Activism and Kaavan the Elephant

Cher co-founded Free The Wild in 2017 with Mark Cowne, driven by a mission to end the suffering of wild animals in captivity. The organization successfully campaigned for the relocation of Kaavan, an elephant, from a Pakistani zoo to a sanctuary in Cambodia. Her involvement began with a failed attempt to rescue an elephant in her hometown, followed by persistent social media requests to free Kaavan. A chance encounter with Mark Cowne, facilitated by a mix-up involving Bob Geldof, led to their collaboration. Cher describes Kaavan's mistreatment and her emotional response to seeing him. The process of freeing Kaavan involved years of negotiations with the government and logistical challenges in transporting him. She highlights the emotional reward of witnessing Kaavan's transformation in the sanctuary. Cher emphasizes the importance of being stewards of innocent beings and the feeling of freedom for animals in sanctuaries.

Social Media and Choosing Causes

Cher acknowledges the double-edged nature of social media, recognizing its potential for both good and harm. She discusses the challenges of online criticism and her brief departure from X (formerly Twitter). She chooses causes based on personal connection and a sense of duty, citing an example of building a school for children in Africa after seeing their plight on television. She believes that "what belongs to you comes to you" and that one recognizes their duty when they see it.

Memoir, New Album, and Message to Young Leaders

Cher discusses the difficulty of writing her memoir, emphasizing the challenge of being honest. She mentions her new greatest hits album, 'Forever', and plans for a potential final album, acknowledging the limitations of her voice. She balances her career with family and friendships. Her message to young leaders at the One Young World summit is to recognize their strength and potential for change, even in the face of global issues. She encourages them to gather like-minded individuals and emphasizes the importance of individual action. She hopes that the next generation of conservationists will learn from Free The Wild's work, drawing inspiration from figures like Jane Goodall. She reiterates her belief that "what belongs to you comes to you," urging them to seize opportunities to make a difference.

Synthesis/Conclusion

Cher's interview reveals a multifaceted individual: a driven performer who overcame obstacles to achieve global fame, a resilient artist who embraced "failures" as opportunities for growth, and a passionate activist dedicated to animal welfare. Her story underscores the importance of ambition, perseverance, and using one's platform to advocate for change. She emphasizes the role of fate, luck, and the power of individual action in shaping a meaningful life and leaving a lasting legacy.