Cher has spent more than six decades redefining herself, fearlessly pushing the boundaries of music, fashion, and pop culture. Yet even a legend has moments of hesitation—and one of the most pivotal almost never happened.

That moment centered on her 1998 hit “Believe.” At the time, Cher was no stranger to reinvention, but when the song was first presented to her, she recoiled. Its futuristic sound, glossy production, and heavy use of auto-tune—a novelty in the late ’90s—felt foreign. “I thought, this isn’t me—this is too weird, too electronic,” she later admitted.

Despite her reservations, producers urged her to give it a chance. Eventually, Cher recorded the track, though with initial resistance. Once she heard the final version, however, the song’s boldness and her unmistakable voice fused into something transformative.

“Believe” didn’t just succeed—it exploded. Topping charts in 23 countries and selling over 11 million copies worldwide, the song revitalized Cher’s career and established her as a pop pioneer. “It saved me in the end,” Cher reflected. “I was at a crossroads, and that song opened a door I didn’t even know was there.”

The impact of “Believe” extended beyond Cher herself. The iconic auto-tune effect, initially controversial, became one of the most influential tools in modern pop music, shaping the sound of the 21st century. For Cher, though, the song’s true significance is deeply personal: it proved that reinvention—and resilience—has no expiration date.

Today, “Believe” remains more than a hit; it’s a symbol of transformation, courage, and second chances. Looking back, Cher is grateful she embraced the challenge. “Sometimes the things you resist the most are the things that set you free,” she said—a lesson she’s lived out in every era of her extraordinary career.