Cher Opens Up About Sonny Bono on ‘Kimmel’: ‘We Had So Much Fun’
Cher appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week to promote the first volume of her memoir, offering fans a glimpse into her life and her six-decade career.
During the candid conversation, she reflected on her partnership with Sonny Bono, shared the story behind her iconic driver’s license, and revealed unexpected anecdotes from her legendary journey.
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Reflecting on her relationship with Sonny, her former husband and musical partner who first rose to fame with her as the duo Sonny & Cher in the 1960s, Cher shared how their professional collaboration shaped their lives.
“Doing the show kept us together because on the show we had so much fun,” she told Kimmel. “We were equal. That was… I mean, I loved it. We worked so well together, and it really kept us closer longer than I really wanted.” Starting with their breakthrough hit “I Got You Babe” in 1965, Sonny & Cher became one of the defining musical acts of their era.
Their humor and chemistry later transitioned seamlessly into television, making The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour a staple of 1970s entertainment, even as their personal relationship faced challenges.
Cher also spoke about a man who helped her leave Sonny, calling him a pivotal figure during that period. “He was very instrumental in helping me to leave Sonny,” she said. “He was a really good person… I mentioned his whole name [in the memoir], so I wonder how does he feel about it.”
In a lighter moment, Cher discussed the process of obtaining a driver’s license that features only her first name. “I don’t have a last name, so it just says Cher on my driver’s license,” she explained. “You have to prove that someone could know you, like the populace could know you by that name. It’s not easy.”
Kimmel later challenged Cher with a rapid-fire question segment, where she revealed more about her offbeat experiences. She admitted to trying jury duty but was dismissed for being “too distracting.” “The judge kicked me out after 10 minutes,” she said with a laugh.
She also confessed to playing a video game just a month ago but remained tight-lipped about the details. When asked about visiting Costco, she hesitated before replying, “I think once,” eliciting laughs from the audience.
The conversation turned to Cher’s friendship with former President Jimmy Carter, as she recounted their first dinner together on his first night in the White House. She revealed Carter’s passion for rock and roll, noting that Gregory and the Allman Brothers Band raised the initial funds for his campaign. “He called me one time and asked me to do something on the Johnny Carson show,” Cher said. “Johnny Carson did not like me, had me thrown out of a party… but I didn’t like him either, so it didn’t make any difference.”
Cher’s memoir, Part One, debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list and remained in the top spot for four non-consecutive weeks, cementing her impact not just in music and film, but in storytelling as well. Her influence on the Billboard charts is undeniable, with her groundbreaking hit “Believe” topping the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks in 1999 and earning her a Grammy for Best Dance Recording. “If I Could Turn Back Time,” another fan favorite, remains a defining anthem of the late 1980s.
As fans eagerly anticipate the second volume of her memoir, slated for November, Cher joked, “I haven’t even started it.”
At the end of the interview, Cher left the audience laughing as she told Kimmel, “You’re a lot nicer and funnier than I thought you would be.”
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