After decades of speculation, Cher has officially put an end to one of pop culture’s longest-running rivalries. In a candid interview with The Los Angeles Times published on October 23, 2023, the 77-year-old superstar revealed that her supposed feud with Madonna is firmly in the past.
“It’s not a beef. I actually like her,” Cher said, adding that the two buried the hatchet years ago. While acknowledging that Madonna “can be” mean at times, she stressed that mutual forgiveness long ago smoothed over any lingering resentment: “We buried that hatchet a long time ago because I called her something so much worse, and she forgave me.”
The Spark of a Pop Feud
Rumors of tension between the two icons date back to the early 1990s, when both were dominating the entertainment world. In a 1991 interview, Cher famously called Madonna a “spoiled brat” and “mean,” while also praising her daring creativity and willingness to push boundaries. At the time, Madonna was topping the charts with provocative reinventions, while Cher was reinventing herself with Oscar-winning acting roles and a music comeback.
The rivalry narrative deepened after Cher shared anecdotes of less-than-friendly backstage encounters with Madonna. Over the years, quips like a resurfaced clip of Cher bluntly calling Madonna a “c—” cemented the perception of a feud. But Cher has since admitted her words were harsher than Madonna’s behavior, shifting the spotlight onto her own candid tongue rather than any ongoing conflict.
A Shift Toward Respect
By 2023, Cher was ready to set the record straight. Speaking with refreshing candor, she emphasized that the so-called beef had been overstated, and that time—and forgiveness—have reshaped her perspective. Fans applauded her honesty, seeing it as a moment of maturity and grace between two groundbreaking women who redefined the music industry.
Madonna’s Silence and Shared Legacy
Madonna, now 66, has rarely addressed the alleged feud directly, though her career has also been punctuated by high-profile spats with other stars like Elton John and Mariah Carey. Currently on her globe-spanning Celebration Tour, she has leaned into nostalgia and her legacy as the “Queen of Pop.”
Cher, meanwhile, has been promoting Cher: The Memoir, Part One, released in November 2024, reflecting on her life, career, and relationships with her trademark blend of humor and blunt honesty.
Despite their differences, the two women share remarkable parallels: both trailblazers who broke barriers for female artists, defied industry expectations, and became cultural icons in their own right. Cher’s recent remarks suggest not just forgiveness but admiration for Madonna’s daring provocations, which she once described as “excellent.”
From Rivalry to Respect
What began as one of pop culture’s most infamous rivalries has evolved into a story of reconciliation. In the end, Cher’s revelation is less about past conflicts and more about two legends who, after decades of scrutiny, have chosen respect over rivalry.
