Introduction
During a memorable 2010 appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, entertainment icon Cher sat down for a candid, witty, and deeply personal interview covering everything from her Las Vegas residency to family life and her film Burlesque.
Before Cher even walked onstage, Letterman leaned into the moment with a bit of self-deprecating comedy, playfully apologizing to former Tonight Show host Jay Leno—whom he jokingly addressed in the audience—and fixing his hair just to “look my best for Cher.” Once she arrived, the two immediately reminisced about her famous November 1987 reunion with Sonny Bono on Letterman’s old NBC show, where they performed “I Got You Babe.” Cher reflected on the realities of decades-long fame, noting that while she gladly stops to take phone photos with kind fans, she also deals with hilarious cases of mistaken identity—including a wedding guest who mistook her for a brilliant Cher impersonator and two young girls at Bergdorf Goodman who dismissed her because “Cher’s nose is much bigger.”
The conversation soon turned to Cher’s three-year Las Vegas residency, which was nearing its final month. She admitted that she initially dreaded performing for an older casino crowd, joking that some audience members arrived on oxygen tanks. Over time, however, she grew to appreciate the experience, realizing that for many attendees, it might be the final concert they ever saw. Letterman then pivoted to a rapid-fire round of famous men from Cher’s past, prompting candid reactions as she confirmed relationships with Warren Beatty, Tom Cruise, Gene Simmons, and a one-time encounter with Eric Clapton, while admitting she had been too nervous to ever go through with a date with Elvis Presley.
In the most heartfelt portion of the interview, Letterman asked about Cher’s son, Chaz Bono, and his public gender transition. Speaking with remarkable openness and empathy, Cher admitted she was still adjusting to pronouns but emphasized how proud and relieved she was to see Chaz finally comfortable in his own skin. Explaining gender dysphoria to Letterman, she noted that feeling trapped in the wrong body is entirely different from sexual orientation, adding that Chaz showed tremendous bravery making such a deeply personal transition under the intense scrutiny of having a famous mother.
Finally, Cher discussed her exclusion from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—blaming a lack of industry “cool factor”—before promoting her musical drama Burlesque. Co-starring Christina Aguilera and Kristen Bell, the film showcased Cher as the glamorous, no-nonsense club owner running a modern, tasteful take on classic burlesque, capping off an interview that highlighted her enduring humor, candor, and star power.