Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
Guest: Cher
Release Date: January 5, 2026
Overview
This episode kicks off 2026 with the legendary Cher, whose career as a singer, actor, activist, and unapologetic icon spans over seven decades. Dax Shepard (joined at times by Monica Padman, Erin Weekley, and Kristen Bell) dives into Cher’s newly released memoir, her formative years, fame, tumultuous relationships (especially with Sonny Bono), her reinvention in music and movies, resilience, and uniquely honest take on life. The conversation is candid, funny, and at times deeply moving—a celebration of playing the long game and surviving the chaos with both toughness and vulnerability.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Cher’s Early Life and Family Dynamics
[04:53–08:28] Childhood and Family
- Cher describes an unconventional and challenging childhood: frequent moves, time spent in an orphanage, and living with multiple strangers due to her mother's circumstances.
- “I think I see my life from sideways.” (Cher – 12:06)
- Cher’s mother married several times (“I think six. She married my dad twice for some reason...” – Cher, 16:14), and expected her daughters to “kind of have to marry someone” due to the era.
- Her revelation of being dyslexic (“I can read. I can't read and speak the lines...”—Cher, 18:18), and struggles with audiobook narration.
Meeting and Relationship with Sonny Bono
[19:10–27:20] The Sonny & Cher Genesis
- Met Sonny at 16, he was 27 but thought Cher was older as she’d lied about her age (“18 was my number.” – Cher, 26:40).
- Started out platonically; Cher moved in as a roommate when kicked out by her previous roommate.
- Their contrasting personalities: Sonny as fun and silly initially, but became controlling as their career took off.
- The beginning of working with producer Phil Spector, including both the opportunity and his notorious reputation.
Rapid Rise and Fame
[31:01–34:09] Early Music Career & Fame
- Background singing on Phil Spector’s tracks (“Be My Baby”, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling”).
- The duo’s unique style (bohemian fashion) was seen as outrageous in the ‘60s, leading to them being kicked out of hotels—ironically giving them press that spurred their fame in England.
- Their single “I Got You, Babe” becomes a massive international hit.
The Downturn and Reinvention
[35:21–41:24] Career Valleys and Sonny’s Control
- “It had passed us by at that time... we didn’t really grow with the people, and everybody was doing drugs. We didn’t.” (Cher, 35:34)
- Sonny’s business acumen and iron grip: designs a lounge act, creates “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.”
- Ratings success: "Cher was getting 30 million viewers a week." (Dax, 37:06)
- Domestic life: Sonny’s restriction, burning Cher’s clothes out of jealousy, isolating her from friends, and infidelity.
Breaking Free: Financial & Emotional Realities
[44:46–47:04] Breaking Away from Sonny
- Shocking revelation: all of Cher’s earnings went to Sonny (95%) and his lawyer (5%): “Zero percent for Cher!” – Monica Padman, 45:04.
- Sonny refuses an even partnership, prompting the end.
- Mentorship from Lucille Ball: “Fuck him. You’re the talented one.” (Lucille Ball via Cher, 46:50)
On Luck, Resilience, and Non-Victim Mentality
[47:47–57:13] Perspective and Reinvention
- Cher’s philosophy: owning her story without self-pity.
- “You are not going to be destroyed or dominated by unfortunate events. There’s no self-pity in your story, even though you’re entitled to a lot of it.” (Dax Shepard, 56:39)
- Cher likens herself to a bumper car: “...you hit the wall, and you either stay there, or you hit the wall and come back and go that way.” (58:20)
- Reinventing herself continually, both in music (“Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves”, “Half Breed”, “Dark Lady”, “Believe”) and film (her turn in “Silkwood”, “Mask”, “Moonstruck”).
Memorable Movie-Making Experiences
[47:18–50:23] Acting Career and Collaborations
- Cher’s “lucky” pivot into movies: Mike Nichols apologized for underestimating her, casting her with Meryl Streep in "Silkwood."
- Difficult collaboration on “Mask” with Peter Bogdanovich.
- Cher fought for Nicolas Cage as her “Moonstruck” co-star—“I quit [the film]” until he was cast.
Fame, Iconhood, and Groundedness
[11:18–13:43] What It Means to Be an Icon
- Cher feels disconnected from her status: “It just doesn’t mean anything. I’m a woman who’s always worked... I don’t buy that other stuff.” (Cher, 11:18)
- “If I see people and they’re going crazy, I’ll go up to them, give them a hug and go, it’s okay.” (Cher, 11:41)
- Admiration for Audrey Hepburn, who congratulated her on her Oscar win—one of Cher’s formative starstruck moments.
Advice, Life Lessons, and Cher’s Mother
[14:05–15:13]
- Cher’s best advice from her mother: “If it doesn’t matter in five years, it doesn’t matter.” (Cher, 14:18; also repeated by Kristen Bell, 14:14).
- The influence of her mother as a personality template and explanation of her own traits.
On Love, Men, and Relationships
[54:09–55:22]
- Only two men Cher felt she truly deserved—one a kind, talented man whose addiction made things impossible, and her current partner with whom she’s happily involved (“Alexander is a wonderful person.” – Cher, 55:11).
- Quick assessment of past relationships, including enduring friendship with David Geffen and respect for her former husband, Robert.
On Money, Success, and Industry Sexism
[52:45–53:48]
- “I have never had luck with men and money... it seems like I’m a target. And there’s so many ways to do that with record companies.” (Cher, 52:44)
- Cher on being repeatedly “screwed” by managers, the business side of music, and how many women and Black performers suffered the same.
Modern Perspective
[53:38–54:06 & throughout]
- Cher credits luck for much of her success amid talent—a reminder that stardom isn’t a straight narrative.
- “There are people so much more talented than me, but I’m lucky too.” (Cher, 53:49)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Writing Her Memoir
- “You have no idea how hard it is to write a book. ...when I read it, I thought, this is not gonna happen.” (Cher, 05:50)
- “She let me speak the way I speak. Because the other ones, it just didn’t sound like me.” (Cher on working with a successful co-writer, 06:41)
On Surviving Chaos
- “I’m completely crazy and I’m completely grounded… I’m a Taurus and a Gemini. I’m three people.” (Cher, 13:23)
On the Absurdity of Being an Icon
- “If I see people and they’re going crazy, I’ll go up to them, give them a hug, and go, it’s okay.” (Cher, 11:41)
- “What the fuck is an icon? Audrey, Kate, Cher…” (Cher, 12:43)
On Resilience
- “I have to work at this all the time because I’m fragile…So I am always trying to remember who I am innately. But sometimes it’s a struggle.” (Cher, 56:56)
- “You hit the wall…you either stay there, or you come back and go that way.” (Cher, 58:20)
On Showbiz Exploitation
- “Zero percent for Cher!” (Monica, 45:04, after learning of Cher’s lopsided contract with Sonny)
Advice
- “If it doesn’t matter in five years, it doesn’t matter.” (Cher quoting her mother, 14:18; repeated mantra).
Key Timestamps
- 04:53–08:28: Cher’s childhood, dyslexia, early auditions
- 11:18–13:43: Fame, icon-status, and being “Cher”
- 14:05–15:13: Advice from Cher’s mother
- 19:10–27:20: Meeting Sonny, moving in, becoming partners
- 31:01–34:09: Music career beginnings, Phil Spector, first hits
- 35:21–41:24: Career challenges, Sonny’s control, “Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour”
- 44:46–47:04: Financial exploitation, Lucille Ball’s advice
- 47:18–50:23: Acting career, "Silkwood," Mike Nichols, and "Moonstruck"
- 53:38–54:06: No strategic career planning, the role of luck
- 54:09–55:22: Reflections on love, deserving relationships
- 56:35–58:20: On not being a victim, dealing with life’s blows
Tone & Vibe
Cher is fiercely honest, irreverent, vulnerable, and funny throughout; Dax, Monica, and Kristen provide supportive humor, warmth, and curiosity. The conversation is laced with self-deprecation, and genuine respect, often cutting through myth and mythmaking to emphasize the value of staying tough—and human—in the face of relentless change. Cher's “straight shooter” persona delivers wisdom that feels earned, not performative.
For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In
This episode is an essential listen for not just Cher fans but anyone interested in resilience, showbiz history, and unadorned life lessons. Cher’s story moves swiftly through rock ‘n’ roll myth, candid takes on love and money, and honest admissions about survival, identity, and not letting trauma (or being an “icon”) define you.
Further Listening or Reading
- For more on Cher’s life, pick up her memoir "Cher: The Memoir, Part One."
- Noted: Dax, Monica, and Erin encourage everyone to “shoot the shit,” be vulnerable, and embrace the messiness—a major theme threading through the episode.
Compiled by Armchair Expert Podcast Summarizer