Beyond the Sequins: Cher Unveils the Woman Behind the Icon in “My Life – My Way”
There is fame, there is superstardom, and then, in a stratosphere entirely her own, there is Cher. For six decades, she has been the one-word definition of reinvention. She is the Goddess of Pop, the Oscar-winning actress, the fashion disruptor, and the social media sage. We know the silhouette: the towering Bob Mackie headdresses, the sheer bodysuits, the leather jackets on the deck of a battleship. We know the voice: that rich, distinctive contralto that has auto-tuned its way through the changing tides of music history.
But do we know her?
With the release of the intimate and sprawling new documentary “My Life – My Way,” Cher answers that question with a resounding “finally.” As the film’s tagline promises, this is not a concert film; it is a confession. It is the first time the legend has truly opened the book on her extraordinary life, stepping out from behind the curtain of her own mythology to reveal the soul of a woman who has survived everything the world has thrown at her.
From the Sunset Strip to Global Domination
The documentary is a masterclass in pacing, anchoring the viewer immediately in the “Sunset Strip as a teenage dreamer.” “My Life – My Way” strips away the glitz to show us Cherilyn Sarkisian, a shy, dyslexic girl who felt like an outsider until she met a man named Sonny Bono.
The archival footage from the 1960s is breathtaking, capturing the raw, bohemian energy of a changing America. But the film’s strength lies in Cher’s current-day commentary. She looks back on that teenage dreamer not with nostalgia, but with a protective, almost maternal honesty. She speaks candidly about the dynamics of “Sonny & Cher”—the magic of their partnership and the stifling control that eventually led to her breaking free. Seeing the Goddess of Pop reflect on her moments of powerlessness is jarring, humanizing her in a way no interview has done before.
Six Decades of Constant Reinvention
The central thesis of “My Life – My Way” is resilience. The documentary meticulously charts “six decades of constant reinvention,” proving that Cher didn’t just ride the waves of pop culture; she often created them.
From the folk-rock of the 60s to the glitzy variety TV of the 70s, to her unlikely rebirth as a rock star in the 80s (“If I Could Turn Back Time”) and the dance-pop pioneer of the 90s (“Believe”), the film tracks the “songs and styles that defined eras.” However, it goes deeper than the discography. Cher reveals the terror behind the risks. She discusses the industry executives who told her she was “over” at 30, then at 40, then at 50. Her defiance in the face of ageism and sexism is the film’s electric undercurrent. We see her not just as a performer, but as a fighter who refused to be rendered obsolete.
The Quiet Battles and the Funny Truths
Perhaps the most delightful surprise of “My Life – My Way” is the humor. Cher has always been known for her sharp wit, but in long-form, she is uproariously funny. She discusses her fashion missteps and her high-profile romances with a self-deprecating dryness that feels like catching up with an old friend.
But the laughter is balanced by the “quiet battles fought away from the spotlight.” The documentary does not shy away from the pain. She opens up about the loneliness of fame, the financial ruins she clawed her way back from, and the health struggles (including her battle with Epstein-Barr virus) that nearly ended her career. This is the “confession” promised. She speaks of heartbreak not as a victim, but as a woman who learned that the only way out is through. She admits to being “flawed,” dismantling the idea of the perfect diva to show the messy, complex reality of a working mother trying to hold it all together.
Surviving Fame with Integrity
Ultimately, “My Life – My Way” is a study in integrity. In a world of fleeting viral stars, Cher’s longevity feels almost miraculous. The documentary argues that this longevity comes from a commitment to truth. Whether she was winning an Academy Award for Moonstruck or wearing a Native American headdress on Top of the Pops, she was always authentically herself.
There is a poignant moment in the film where she reflects on her legacy. “It’s not about glory or nostalgia,” she muses. “It’s about truth.” That sentiment rings through every frame. She doesn’t gloss over the bad reviews or the public ridicule; she owns them as part of the tapestry.
The Goddess Comes Home
As the documentary concludes, we are left with a portrait of Cher that is “raw, honest, and electrifying.” We see a woman who has been everything to everyone—fashion icon, gay icon, movie star, rock star—finally allowing herself to just be Cher.
“My Life – My Way” is a triumph because it bridges the gap between the superstar and the human being. It reminds us why we fell in love with her in the first place: not just because she could sing, but because she had the guts to be different. The Goddess of Pop has finally come home, and in telling her story her way, she has given her fans one last, perfect gift: the truth.
*** “My Life – My Way” is available for streaming now.
