Why It Took Cher 7 Years to Write Her Memoir – And Why She’s Only Halfway Done

Cher has long been known for her remarkable career, spanning music, acting, and even a Broadway show about her life. But her latest venture — writing her memoir — was a far more challenging undertaking than anyone could have predicted, including the icon herself. In a candid interview, the 78-year-old revealed why it took seven years to write Cher: The Memoir, Part One, and why fans will have to wait for part two to get the full story.

A Journey of Struggle and Perseverance

For all of Cher’s accomplishments, writing her memoir was not an easy feat. It wasn’t just about revisiting her extraordinary life — it was also about facing deeply personal and painful memories. “It was really, really difficult,” Cher confessed to Yahoo Entertainment. “Sometimes I just wanted to jump off a bridge.”

Having dyslexia certainly added to the challenge, but the process was grueling for more emotional reasons as well. Many of Cher’s early memories, which are part of the first volume of the memoir, are “very painful” and brought up experiences she was still grappling with. “Some of them were easy, some of them were fun, and some of them were really, really difficult and … I’m just getting over,” she said.

The Struggle of Writing and Rewriting

Cher’s memoir didn’t come together easily. In fact, she worked with three ghostwriters, and the book was written three times before she was satisfied with the result. “I probably should have done it four [times],” she admitted. “When I read it the first time, it wasn’t about stories, it was about information. I thought: This is not going to work for me. Information is not important. It doesn’t mean anything. It doesn’t take you anywhere. Stories take you someplace.”

This approach of shifting focus from facts to storytelling required significant rewrites, and at one point, Cher and her team were working 11 hours a day to meet deadlines. However, the memoir was ultimately split into two volumes due to the sheer amount of material and the time it took to perfect. Part One takes readers through Cher’s life up until her breakout acting role in the early 1980s, while Part Two, expected in a year, will dive into the rest of her remarkable career and personal life.

A Difficult Childhood and Early Years in the Spotlight

Cher’s life story, as detailed in Part One, is one of resilience. Born Cheryl Sarkisian in 1946, she had a turbulent upbringing. Her mother, Georgia Holt, considered aborting her, and Cher spent time in a Catholic orphanage before living with family friends while her mother chased romance. “We moved and switched schools constantly,” Cher shared, “because of my mom’s many marriages and a rotating cast of father figures.”

Despite the instability, Cher quickly made her mark on the world. At just 15, she began dating the famous actor Warren Beatty, a relationship her starstruck mother allowed to happen without objection. By 16, Cher was living independently, and soon after, she met Sonny Bono. Their relationship would become one of the most iconic musical partnerships in history, even though their personal life was full of difficulties. Their marriage was fraught with control and infidelity, and their divorce was bitter, leaving Cher with little financial security.

Writing It in Her Own Words

One of the most unique aspects of Cher’s memoir is the way it was written. Cher, known for her distinctive voice and personality, insisted that the story be told in her own words. “I did everything from memory,” she said of her process with the ghostwriters. “We would just sit there. Julia [Leatham] would write everything. Mostly, she let it be in my words. I have a distinct way of talking.”

Cher’s approach was to make sure the voice in the book felt authentically hers, despite the challenges posed by dyslexia. “I don’t like writing,” Cher confessed. “It’s just too much for me to handle.” This is why she worked closely with ghostwriters, who helped translate her thoughts into words while allowing her voice to shine through.

The Audiobook: Cher and Stephanie Block

Cher’s struggles with dyslexia also led to a unique collaboration for the audiobook. Cher tapped Stephanie J. Block, Tony Award-winning actress from The Cher Show, to record the book. Block narrates the majority of the audiobook, with Cher herself reading the introduction to each chapter. “It’s the best of both worlds,” Cher said. “She is doing a great job. It’s not an imitation of me. … I said, ‘Stephanie, don’t try to do me. Just think of me in your mind.’”

Cher’s voice is unmistakable, but Block captures the essence of her in a way that feels natural. “People will really be happy,” Cher promised.

A Memoir Like No Other

Cher’s memoir is more than just a chronicle of her rise to fame; it’s a raw and honest reflection of a woman who has lived a life full of challenges and triumphs. With her signature humor, vulnerability, and candidness, Cher: The Memoir, Part One offers a glimpse into the extraordinary life of an entertainment legend. And while it may have taken seven years to get this far, fans will have to wait for part two to see the full story unfold.

One thing’s for certain: it’s been a life worth writing about.