Author Talk – Annie Zaleski talks new Cher book
Few stars in entertainment history have shone as brightly as Cheryl Sarkisian, whom we all know as simply Cher. A true all-encompassing icon, her career and influence have spanned seven decades and continue to influence artists today. 360°Sound had the opportunity to sit down with Annie Zaleski, author of the new book, I Got You Babe: A Celebration of Cher, to discuss what makes this icon just as relevant now as she was when she debuted in the mid ’60s as half of the folk-rock duo Sonny & Cher.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. You can watch the full interview at the end of this article, and on our YouTube channel, @360degreesound
360°Sound: Cher is one of those rare figures whose story spans multiple eras. At what point did you first connect with her?
Annie Zaleski: If I think about it, my connection point with Cher was the mid to late ’80s. At that time, her star power as a movie actress was really soaring, and her music career was taking off again—she was a rock star once more. I have vivid memories from that period. And then, when “Believe” came out in the late ’90s, that was another resurgence for me. I was in college at the time, and you just couldn’t escape that song. So both of those eras were my personal Cher highlights—at least before writing this book.
When you think about those different connection points, what do you think is the key to her longevity?
I think a big part of it is that she’s always willing to pivot. If something isn’t working, she’s thinking about Plan B—or even Plan C. She’s not afraid to try something new. She’s also incredibly resilient. A lot of us, when we go through setbacks or face obstacles, it can be hard to figure out what to do next. It’s easy to feel discouraged. But Cher has always seemed to push forward.
As you document in the book, when she broke up with Sonny she discovered that most of their money was gone—Sonny had spent it or taken it. How do you think that experience shaped her approach moving forward?
It’s a really good question. She’s been very open about not having much money growing up. Her mom was a single mother, raising Cher and her sister, making sacrifices to get by. So Cher was always kind of scrappy—she figured out how to survive. But with Sonny, it wasn’t just a romantic split—it was a financial and business reckoning. After the split, she realized she was almost beholden to him in a business sense. I think that really shifted her mindset. From that point on, she started taking more control over her career—especially the business side. And you can see that in the fact that she’s had all these side ventures over the years. It was a turning point that taught her to protect herself and, later, her children.
Cher’s career spans entertainment in so many forms—music, acting, even fitness. You argue that she helped lay the groundwork for what we now consider the modern pop star. Do you feel like she really invented the model for what pop stars are expected to be today?
I’m so glad you picked up on that, because I completely agree. Today’s pop stars are expected to do everything: act, tour, launch product lines, engage on social media—you name it. Cher was doing that long before it became standard. She was always working on multiple things. She didn’t just stick to music; she had her variety shows, her films, even business ideas—like a roller rink she planned in the ’70s. And the amazing thing is that she only pursued things she actually cared about. Whether it was workout videos or her gelato line—Cherlato, which is brilliantly named, by the way—it all aligned with who she is. She built a brand early on and has stayed true to it ever since.
You talk a lot about her Oscar winning–acting career. What do you think allowed Cher to make that leap when so many others haven’t?
She spent much of the ’70s on television—variety shows with Sonny, specials of her own—and that gave her a decade of performance training. She honed her timing and stage presence, whether in Vegas or on TV. So by the time she started landing serious film roles in the ’80s, she wasn’t new to performing. She also chose projects she cared about. She was very selective. With Mask, for instance, she didn’t just take the role—she threw herself into it, emotionally and creatively. That empathy and commitment show in her performances. It wasn’t a fluke. She worked her way into that success.
You mentioned “Believe.” I was in middle school in the ’90s, and that song was everywhere. Do you feel like that track marked the start of the second half of her career—a whole new chapter?
Absolutely. “Believe”really bridged generations. It brought in Gen Xers, older Millennials—it introduced her to a new demographic. It wasn’t just a hit; it sounded new. The use of Auto-Tune was innovative at the time. Younger listeners were curious about this magical, iconic figure. After “Believe,” she had a wave of new opportunities—cameos on Will & Grace, big movie roles like Burlesque and Mamma Mia. And people were amazed that someone her age could top the charts. It challenged expectations and helped redefine what longevity could look like for a woman in pop music.
Speaking of Burlesque and Mamma Mia, she’s leaned into camp culture in a big way. Obviously, she has a wide fan base, but her LGBTQ following is massive. Do you think that community’s support has helped sustain her career, especially in later years?
Yes, 100%. Cher has always embraced her gay fans. Even in the late ’70s and early ’80s, she had drag queens performing in her shows. That was rare at the time. And the camp—oh, the camp! Her variety shows were hilariously over-the-top. She leaned into it all. And she’s never been dismissive of her LGBTQ fans—she celebrates them. That love is mutual. She’s become a true gay icon, not just for the spectacle, but because she’s always honored and respected the community.
One area you cover is her social media presence, which—let’s be honest—is a lot. Some people find it chaotic, some endearing. What was your overall takeaway from reviewing her posts?
Especially during the Twitter era, it was fascinating. It was definitely her posting. That made it compelling—no team vetting the content. It was raw, emotional, sometimes messy, but also very real. She shared everything—her political beliefs, her mom’s health, her concerns about Kaavan the elephant. It wasn’t performative; it was genuine. And while some people may have found it polarizing, I think it humanized her. I once interviewed her about Twitter, and she said she saw it as “modern hieroglyphics,” which is such a Cher thing to say—funny, but weirdly profound. She used emojis as part of her storytelling. It was truly her own language.
Something else you highlight is her charity work. It’s not something she widely publicizes, but she’s done a lot behind the scenes. Did that deepen your respect for her?
Absolutely. I knew she’d done charitable work, but when I looked into it more deeply, I was really moved. She’s not showy about it. She puts in the work and doesn’t seek credit. For example, after Mask, she stayed involved with organizations supporting people with similar disabilities. She’s helped the troops, advocated for healthcare, and taken on causes like animal welfare. It’s very “boots on the ground” for someone of her status. She just quietly gets things done because she believes in it.
After writing this book, what’s your biggest takeaway about Cher’s legacy? When people look back 20 or 30 years from now, what will stand out most?
Her fearlessness. Cher doesn’t second-guess herself. She’s tried everything—music, acting, directing, business, activism—and she’s never been afraid to fail. Her work ethic is legendary. One story that stuck with me: before recording her Christmas album a couple of years ago, she called her 97-year-old vocal coach to warm up again. Who does that? She could’ve phoned it in, but she wanted it to be excellent. That level of commitment says everything. And beyond that, her legacy will be one of discovery—there’s always something new to find in her career. Even now, I’m sure there are obscure tracks or films people haven’t explored. Her legacy is vast, deep, and still unfolding.
I Got You Babe: A Celebration of Cher by Annie Zaleski is out now from Running Press Adult, featuring a foreword by Cyndi Lauper. You can click here to purchase your copy direct from the publisher.
