Cher jokes about two divorces at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction
It’s been a journey for Cher to get inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The “Believe” singer, 78, was finally bestowed that honor at this year’s ceremony on Saturday in Cleveland and said in her speech that she had an “easier” time getting divorce from her former husbands Sonny Bono and Gregg Allman.
Cher came out on stage after being introduced by Zendaya, who shared kind words about the legendary music artist.
“She has navigated a multitude of musical genres, defined new ones and reinvented others,” said Zendaya, 28. “Her music touches your heart, your spirit, makes you dance, makes you rock, and has stood the test of time.”
After performing with Dua Lipa, Cher joked about her love life while celebrating her induction that was long overdue.
“It was easier getting divorced from two men than it was getting into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” she said to the crowd.
The Goddess of Pop then thanked her late mother, Georgia Holt, for instilling in her to always get back up after defeat.
“She said, ‘You know, if you’re down and you’re out, you get up again.’ And in my life, I’ve been so down,” Cher said. “As my mother would say, ‘lower than a snake’s belly.’ That’s how down I’ve been. People have told me that I was finished, that I was through, that I have 10 minutes. The one thing that I think I got from my mom is I never gave up.”
She continued, “Honestly, I believe what my mom said, but I’m lucky. I’ve had really bad things happen. I was dropped by four labels. When it was completely over, I did ‘Believe,’ and it was like, ‘Yes!’ I’ve just been really lucky, and I have had number ones for seven decades, which surprises me, because I’m a good singer. I’m not a great singer.”
“You know what? I’ll take it,” Cher added as the audience supported her with cheers. “And also, I changed the sound of music forever, alright? And ‘Believe’ really changed the sound of music.”
She then shared a message to other women, saying, “You guys are on your own. We’ve been down and out, and we keep striving, and we keep going, and we keep building, and we are somebody. We are special. As my mom would say, ‘We’re special.’”
Cher showed up to the induction ceremony with her boyfriend, music producer Alexander “AE” Edwards, 38. The couple, who are almost 40 years apart in age, have been dating since 2022. Edwards has a son named Slash with ex Amber Rose.
The Grammy Award winner was previously married to Sonny from 1964 to 1974. They had one child together, Chaz Bono. Sonny died in a skiing accident in 1998.
Cher’s second marriage was to Allman. She wed the Allman Brothers singer in 1975 and they welcomed a son together, Elijah Blue, before their divorce in 1979. Gregg died of liver cancer complications in 2017.
Since dating Edwards, Cher seems happier than ever. She told The Post last year that she “wasn’t looking” for a relationship when the couple met at Paris Fashion Week in 2022.
“I meet Alexander, and I kept saying, ‘Dude, this is not gonna work out. I’m telling you, it’s not gonna go good. It’s just not gonna work.’ And he just wasn’t going for it,” she recalled.
Cher was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside other legends including Mary J. Blige, Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band and Kool & The Gang.