Cher Talks About Chaz Bono’s Gender Change: “It’s Hard, ’cause She’s Still My Girl.”

It seems like the rest of the world has been very careful to refer to Chaz Bono as “he” since the only child of Cher and Sonny Bono announced his transition from female to male last year.

But his superstar mother, in various interview promoting her new movie Burlesque, keeps referring to Chaz as “she” and only catching herself sometimes.

In Sunday’s issue of Parade, Cher spoke movingly of her child who used to appear with her and ex-husband Bono on their 70s variety show: “When Chaz first told me about wanting a sex change, I had a really hard time with it. We talked about the transgendered thing intermittently for years. She was unhappy. Plus, she was doing drugs. [Chaz was addicted to Oxycontin]. I believed that once she stopped doing drugs, she would have a much better life and put the transgender idea on the back burner.”

But after getting sober in 2004, Chaz became more determined than ever.

“She said to me, ‘If I’m ever going to do it, I’ve got to do it now. I’m 40,’” Cher recalls. “I went, ‘If you’ve got to do it dear, you’ve got to do it.’”

In May, Chaz’s gender and name were legally changed.

“When I realized she was going to do it, it was rocky for me. I thought, ‘What will the press do to her?’ What will they do to the two of us together? It’s going to be the biggest nightmare that will not stop. But the press has been kinder than I thought they would be.”

“It’s hard ’cause she’s still my girl. But she has an inner strength and she’s a courageous person – she believes what she believes. She and her girlfriend came over here for dinner last night.”

Good to see that Cher and Chaz are close and supportive of each other. Now if only Cher could start to refer to her child as “he".

Cher Nearly Plants Her Face into Cement at Grauman's Chinese Theatre

Yesterday, Cher was bestowed with the honor of putting her hand and foot prints in cement at Hollywood's legendary Grauman's Chinese Theatre, but she nearly left a lot more than that.

Watch the video below of her near "face in the cement" incident:

Christina Aguilera Gets Advice from Cher

While working alongside Cher on the film Burlesque, Christina Aguilera picked up tips on everything from makeup to marriage.

The singer, 29, who filed for divorce from husband Jordan Bratman, 33, last month, says the one piece of advice that stuck with her was when Cher told her, "You know, honey, husbands come and go, but I am still Cher at the end of the day."

"We were like old chatty girlfriends that could not stop talking," Aguilera says. "They had to drag us to set a few times because we were late just talking about love and relationships and life."

While Aguilera has been quietly seeing Matthew D. Rutler, a set assistant from the movie, Aguilera says the main man in her life is her son Max, who'll be 3 in January.

And although she wrote a song for Max on her Bionic album, she says his favorite song is actually a tune on the Burlesque soundtrack called "Beautiful People." "He loves that song. He was in the studio while I was recording it and was like, 'Put on 'Beautiful People.' "

The singer admits balancing motherhood and her career isn't easy but hopes her work ethic sets an example for her son.

"One day he will be able to look back at my body of work and feel proud of it. Hopefully it will motivate him to be an individual himself and really go for what he wants out of life."

Will that include a singing career? "He is musically inclined, I can tell," says Aguilera. "He is so smart and such a character I could see him doing something in the entertainment business."

Cher Given Lifetime Achievement Award at 'Glamour' Women of the Year Event

Cher has been around a long time (though she doesn't look it!) and over her lengthy career she's made some awesome music and movies, and has also given back through her work with Kenyan orphans. Monday night she was recognized for all of the above with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Glamour Women of the Year event in NYC.

She took the stage to accept the honor and said: "You have no idea how non-glamorous I am when I wake up. I walk around in sweatpants and Ugg boots. I don't care.”

Also honoured at the event was Black Eyed Peas star Fergie, who was watched by husband Josh Duhamel as she picked up a gong for her work with breast cancer research and AIDS awareness charities. In a red Zac Posen gown, she admitted: “I feel like the prom queen tonight.”

Julia Roberts was honoured for her work promoting renewable energy, raising awareness for Rett syndrome and supporting Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camps. The actress took the opportunity to praise the late actor’s work with the organisation, saying: "Paul would come and sit down with the kids and have lunch and participate. He was fully present.”

Fashion designer Donatella Versace was presented with an award for her support of a children’s charity in China and mentoring of aspiring designers She told the audience – which included Hilary Swank, Kelly Osbourne and Janet Jackson – never to give up on their ambitions. She said: “Believe in yourself and work hard to achieve your dreams. You can do it.”

Fool’s Gold actress Kate Hudson presented the ceremony, which is in its 20th year.

Cher Still Calls Chaz 'Her' by Mistake

Cher is having a pronoun problem when it comes to her daughter-turned-son Chaz Bono.

"She's a very smart girl – boy!" the singer tells Vanity Fair in its December issue. "This is where I get into trouble. … I still don't remember to call her 'him.' "

Chaz, 41 – born Chastity Bono – underwent gender reassignment last year, a process he said made him "a happy guy." But Cher admits she still can't quite wrap her mind around the idea of suddenly becoming a man.

"If I woke up tomorrow in a guy's body, I would just kick and scream and cry and [expletive] rob a bank, because I cannot see myself as anything but who I am – a girl," she says. "I would not take it as well as Chaz has. I couldn't imagine it."

In the interview, Cher, 64, also touches on her inadequacies as a parent, and whether her kids – she has another son, Elijah, now 34, with ex-husband Gregg Allman – are still angry with her.

"I think Chaz is pretty much finished with it, and I think Elijah has a little longer to go, but they both really love me a lot. But it's hard," she says.

"One time, when Chaz was little, we were on a field trip, and she said, 'I'm so pissed off, Mom. You can never not be Cher – we can never just do something.' So your kids pay. I did the best I could do, and yet it was definitely lacking."

Cher's Saying Good-Bye to Vegas!

Remember how Cher’s farewell tour went on and on and on?

Sadly, her Las Vegas run will not last as long. The great star has announced that she will end her three-year run at Caesars Palace on February 5, 2011.

Cher will have performed approximately 200 shows during the course of her three years at The Colosseum at Ceasars Palace. Her schedule includes concerts from September 25th through the end of October, followed by a two-month break before the final round of shows get underway. The legendary performer will then perform 16 shows from January 11th through February 5th.

Cher debuted at The Colosseum in May 2008, after Celine Dion fulfilled her contract at the venue. Dion is set to return there on March 15th, with more than 50 shows booked through August.

Tickets will be on sale on September 25th beginning at 1:00 pm (ET). Prices are $95, $140, $175, and $250.

In the Works: A Cher Musical!

Cher has pretty much done it all, so it was only a matter of time before her life would be made into into a movie or musical or something. Well, it looks like writer-and-director Andy Fickman will be taking the reigns on a musical all about the "If I Could Turn Back Time" singer.

Speaking after the 64-year-old icon made an appearance on the stage with Lady Gaga at the MTV Video Music awards last weekend, he told gossip website PopEater: “We’ll be making announcements about that project coming together shortly.

She’s a fairly phenomenal character, Cher, as a human being I think she’s one of the great icons of all time, a force to be reckoned with. The way she looked onstage with Lady Gaga, well, it’s one for the books.”

It is not yet known if her own back cataloge of songs will appear in the show or if it will feature an original score. Cher will soon appear in musical movie Burlesque alongside singer Christina Aguilera. Discussing the film, the veteran singer recently explained the "Beautiful" hitmaker is at the forefront of the plot, but still calls her own character “pivotal” to the story.

She said: “I’m not really the star. It’s Christina Aguilera’s movie. But, I’m, you know – pivotal. Me and Stanley Tucci are the meat of the thing. But I’m not the star."

Lady Gaga Sings for Cher (and Her Fans) at the MTV Video Music Awards

Lady Gaga had a reason to sing at Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards.

The pop star, nominated for a record-setting 13 trophies, took home top honors, winning video of the year for "Bad Romance" – and seized the opportunity to trill for Cher, who presented her with the Moonman trophy.

"I never thought I'd be asking Cher to hold my meat purse," a tearful Gaga said at the podium in a bacon-colored outfit.

"I promised that if I won this tonight, I'd announce the name of my new record," she said. After exhaling, Gaga revealed it is titled Born This Way. Then, she belted out a refrain as Cher looked on. "God makes no mistakes," she sang. "I'm on the right track baby. I was born this way."

Throughout the night, Gaga turned the ceremony, live from L.A.'s Nokia Theater, into her very own fashion show, at one point noting that she wasn't prepared for all her acceptance speeches.

"This outfit's too heavy to walk in," she said while accepting best pop video. "I apologize if I'm a little slow this evening."

Chelsea's Party

Gaga got a lively welcome from show host Chelsea Handler, who poked fun at the pop star's penchant for outrageous outfits. Taking the stage to "Bad Romance" in a tattered, glittery skirt and face-obscuring hat that resembled an over-sized house, Handler earned laughs as she skewered celebrities in her monologue.

Some, like Lindsay Lohan, were happy to laugh at themselves. The starlet, who recently left jail and a court-ordered rehab, appeared at the start of the show in pre-recorded sketch.

Joshing about Handler's love of drinking – the E! host frequently jokes about her taste for vodka – Lohan teased, "Pull it together! Do you think anyone wants to work with a drunk? Take it from me!"

And the winners are...

Best Dance Video: Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance”
Best Collaboration: Lady Gaga feat. Beyonce, “Telephone”
Best Female Video: Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance”
Best Rock Video: 30 Seconds to Mars, “Kings and Queens”
Best Male Video: Eminem, “Not Afraid”
Best Pop Video: Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance”
Best Hip Hop Video: Eminem, “Not Afraid”
Best New Artist: Justin Bieber
Video of the Year: Lady Gaga, "Bad Romance"

Performance Heavy Night

While many awards were handed out, it was performances that dominated the evening.

Two-time winner Eminem kicked off the show with "Not Afraid," backed by a drum corps and string section. He was soon joined by a flame-haired Rihanna, who teamed up with him on "Love the Way You Lie."

Taylor Swift and Kanye West, both the subject of much buzz given last year's antics, also performed separate blistering songs.

And to the delight of screaming female fans, best new artist winner Justin Bieber performed "Baby" outside the Nokia Theater, backed by a team of syncopated dancers.

Cher Discusses her Upcoming Album

The amazing and iconic Cher is making a return to the big-screen this November in the sequin fever dream Burlesque, opposite fellow pop star Christina Aguilera. But the diva is also beginning to plot out her next album, which has her working with hitmaker Diane Warren (Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing”; Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me”). Warren also wrote one of Cher’s two big Burlesque tunes, the big power ballad “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me.”

The 64-year-old diva says that fans shouldn’t expect the same dance music heard on her 1998 album, Believe, which featured the titular blockbuster single. “It really won’t be Believe-ish,” she says. “It will be more…I don’t know how to say it. I can’t put a genre to it. It’s a little bit more real instruments, like guitars and stuff like that.” Don’t get too excited Cher fans: the singer admits she’s still very early in the recording process.

Says Cher, “I just got some of the songs and I’m just learning [them] so I’m kind of at that beginning stage where you’re taking baby steps.”

No release date has been confirmed for her forthcoming CD.

Chaz Bono: “I Wasted Years"

Chaz Bono and his mother Cher turned out over the weekend at Elijah Blue Allman’s art show in Malibu.

Chaz, who was there with girlfriend Jennifer Elia, spoke to reporters while there and was as candid as usual saying he feels more at peace than ever after completing his transition from female to male.

He talked about the period when he felt the most miserable as the female Chastity Bono: “When I was in Ceremony [short-lived 90s band] I felt the most pressure to look and behave like someone that truly was not me.”

But that has all changed now that Chaz, an activist and author, has been living his life as a man and is writing about it to help others understand the extraordinary journey on ChazBono.net.

“I wasted years worried about what other people would think if I transitioned, and now I wish I had those years back,” Chaz writes. “Do what is right for you.”

It's Official: Chaz Bono Gets Legal Name (and Gender) Change

A year after undergoing a sex change, Chaz Bono is now legally a man.

A Santa Monica, California, judge granted the political and social activist's petition for a gender and name change Thursday, according to a spokesperson for the Transgender Law Center, which represented Bono.

"Chaz couldn't be happier," says Kristina Wertz, legal director for the Transgender Law Center. "This is an important step in his transition and will allow him to change a variety of his identity documents to show who he truly is."

Born Chastity Bono to famous parents Cher and Sonny Bono, Chaz started the female-to-male sex change March 2009, shortly after his 40th birthday.

"It's hard for me to articulate how this feels – when you've lived your whole life in a body and having everybody relate to you as something you don't feel," Bono, 41, said back in December. "When that finally gets righted, it's just amazing. I finally get to live my life the way I've always wanted to."

Cher Will Tour Again – No Retirement

We are not sure exactly how many times singer Cher has announced her retirement from touring…but we know it has been more than once. Anyway, all of you Cher lovers are in luck because she has announced that she will tour again.

Currently the diva in under contract in Las Vegas at the Caesars Palace Colosseum. Once her Vegas stint ends, Cher plans to hit the road. Her three-year run will be completed in February 2011.

Cher has reportedly been inspired by new songs that she has been working on, as well as her work on the soundtrack for her upcoming film “Burlesque”, in collaboration with Christina Aguilera.

Next month you will get to hear Cher, 63, sing a new single, “Already Been There” at the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo.

“Burlesque” will hit theaters November 24, 2010.

Christina Aguilera's 'Burlesque' Role Brought Up 'Painful Memories'

Christina Aguilera stars as a tough girl with a tougher past in her new film Burlesque, and she says she was inspired for the part by her challenging childhood. The singer has been through the intense emotions in real life that her character feels in the movie, so she was very motivated to act to the fullest in the role.

Christina "who regularly watched her father abuse her mother" told Britain's OK! magazine: "The girls I play, Ali, has a rough past - her mother dies when she's very young and she's been in foster homes. I could relate to that pain, growing up in an abusive household. That gave me great motivation to provoke my tears for those scenes where I had to really pour it on. I felt it deeply, to go through a lot of those things that brought up a lot of painful memories."

Christina stars alongside legendary entertainer Cher in the movie and admits the pair have now become very close. She said: "Cher's embraced me with open arms, it's meant the world. She's been very much like a mentor to me, but we get together and it's like we're old girlfriends, we'll talk and talk. I really adore her."

Chaz Bono Files Petition for Gender & Name Change

Chaz Bono underwent a sex change operation a year ago and has now filed court papers requesting that a judge officially change his name and gender on all legal documents.

Before the surgical procedure, he was known as Chastity Bono, daughter of Cher and the late Sonny Bono. Prior to discovering that she needed to be a he, Chastity lived openly as a lesbian, causing a rift with her father. She has been in a long term relationship with girlfriend, Jennifer Elia.

Bono’s doctor was required to submit a declaration to the court, acknowledging that a gender-change operation took place. A hearing on the petition is schedule for May 6th in Santa Monica, California.

Cher and her daughter turned son have a strong relationship. Mother and son were recently photographed together at an art exhibition for Cher’s other son, Elijah Blue Allman.

Paparazzi!: Sexy Chics

Christina Aguilera and Cher turn heads – literally! – in Hollywood Thursday as they film a scene from their new movie, Burlesque. The story follows Aguilera, a small-town girl from Iowa, who lands work at a neo-burlesque club in L.A. run by Cher.

Cher to Celebrate 100th Vegas Show Tonight!

Thank God for Cher.

The pop star turned TV variety performer turned Oscar winning actress has always been a smash in Las Vegas throughout much of her 45 years of stardom and that is the only place you can see her perform these days.

This evening, Cher will perform her 100th show at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. It’s been a terrific gig that allows her to do her elaborate shows and sing her many, many, many hits without the rigors of touring.

She talked to Entertainment Tonight’s Mark Steines in February about her Vegas show and some of her mishaps: “I’ve fallen twice on that stage!” During the If I Could Turn Back Time, dancers throw their hats and, “My right foot hit [a] cowboy hat and felt like Superman. … And then I fell on my knee and my hands — [but] I never dropped the microphone. I never missed a beat, didn’t miss a note or word, and I think [the audience was] just stunned that I fell so hardcore and then just jumped up; because I was [stunned].”

Cher is a real trouper!

Eric Dane Joins "Burlesque"

"Grey's Anatomy" star Eric Dane has joined "Burlesque," a musical drama starring Christina Aguilera and Cher.

The Screen Gems film centers on the journey of an ambitious small-town girl (Aguilera) with a big voice who finds love and success in a Los Angeles neo-burlesque club, reminiscent of the nightclub in Bob Fosse's "Cabaret."

Dane is playing the role of a charming, highly successful businessman who vies for Aguilera's heart.

He rounds out a cast that also includes Stanley Tucci, Cam Gigandet, Kristen Bell and Alan Cumming.

Steve Antin is directing the feature, which will be released Thanksgiving 2010.

Dane last appeared on the big screen in "Marley & Me" and will be seen in New Line's "Valentine's Day."

Madonna 'Can't Stop Crying' Over Michael Jackson

The sudden death of Michael Jackson jolted his friends and family, a second blow to the entertainment world after it lost another icon, Farrah Fawcett, just hours earlier.

"I can't stop crying over the sad news," Madonna says. "I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless."

Lisa Marie Presley, who was briefly married to Jackson in the mid-1990s, says, "I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children, who I know were everything to him, and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me."

"My heart is overcome with sadness for the devastating loss of my true friend Michael," adds Brooke Shields, who raised eyebrows when she briefly dated Jackson. "He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing."

Elizabeth Taylor, one of Jackson's closest and longstanding friends, was "too devastated" to issue a statement, her rep says, while Quincy Jones, who produced Jackson's biggest hits, says, "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words."

Cher, calling in to Larry King Live on CNN, shared many memories of Jackson, including dancing together on the Queen Mary and seeing the musical Dreamgirls together. "I am having a million reactions," said Cher. "When I think of him, I think of this young boy, this teenager I first met … He was a great teenager, optimistic and adorable."

She also praised his talent. "He was a great singer. You can't write him off as just a pop [star]. He was a genius like Ray Charles … He had a gift… He was able to connect with people."

Whitney Houston, who has battled her own demons and is on the verge of a comeback, just as Jackson was, released a statement saying simply, "I am full of grief."

Actress Jane Fonda used Twitter to express her grief writing, "I am stunned. My friend, Michael Jackson is dead. He lived with me for a week on the Golden Pond set after 'Thriller.' "

In a statement Thursday afternoon Britney Spears said, "I was so excited to see his show in London. We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly in to see him. He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I'm devastated he's gone!"

Neil Portnow, president of the Recording Academy, which honored Jackson with 13 Grammys, says, "Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent, and vision as Michael Jackson. He was a true musical icon."

In a long, heartfelt statement Usher said he was "deeply saddened" by the loss and paid tribute to Jackson's legacy. "May God cover you Michael. We all lift your name up in prayer. I pray for the entire Jackson family particularly Michael's mother, children and all his fans that loved him so much. I would not be the artist, performer, and philanthropist I am today without the influence of Michael. I have great admiration and respect for him and I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to meet and perform with such a great entertainer, who in so many ways, transcended the culture. He broke barriers, he changed radio formats! With music, he made it possible for people like Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama to impact the mainstream world. His legacy is unparalleled Michael Jackson will never be forgotten."

Another star who was clearly influenced by Jackson, Justin Timberlake, also paid tribute to the pop star. "We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only Pop music but of all music," he wrote on his Web site. "He has been an inspiration to multiple generations and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him on stage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones."

On his Web site, former child actor Corey Feldman, who was once very close friends with Jackson, posted a statement mourning his old pal. "I come to you today with great sadness, acknowledging the loss of the greatest entertainer in the history of mankind. For me he was more than that, he was my idol, he was a role model, he was someone to cry to when my childhood was unbearable, he was a brother, he was a dear friend," Feldman writes. "Unfortunately Michael and I had a falling out on Septenmber 10th 2001 and that broken friendship had never been repaired … I am filled with tremendous sadness and remorse. All I choose to remember from this point is the good times we shared and what an inspiration he was to me and the rest of the world. Nobody will ever be able to do what Michael Jackson has done in this industry, and he was so close to doing it all again. I am truly, and deeply sorry for all of the heartbroken fans and supporters worldwide."

Cher to Make Her Musical Movie Debut

Cher is coming back to the big screen.

The Oscar-winning actress hasn't starred in a film in a decade, but Variety reports she will join Christina Aguilera this November in a musical, Burlesque.

Aguilera, 28, will play a small-town girl from Iowa who moves to L.A. and lands work at a neo-burlesque club run by Cher. Remarkably, the film marks the first time Cher, 63, will sing onscreen in a movie that she stars in.

Screen Gems president Clint Culpepper said he has been lobbying Cher for years to return to films.

"She brings a soulfulness and gravitas to this character that will ground the story," Culpepper said. "The only person who was more excited than I am is Christina."

Cher on Chaz’s Transition: “The One Thing That Will Never Change is My Abiding Love for My Child.”

Gay icon Cher, who went through a process to accept that her daughter, Chastity Bono, is gay, admitted to People that she has more to process now that Chastity is begun the process of transitioning into a man named Chaz Bono.

“Chaz is embarking on a difficult journey, but one that I will support,” said the 63 year old legend. “I respect the courage it takes to go through this transition in the glare of public scrutiny, and although I may not understand, I will strive to be understanding.”

Cher added: “The one thing that will never change is my abiding love for my child.”

People also reports that Chaz plans to have surgery, which could include a double mastectomy. He is also taking testosterone to change both his body and voice.