Cher’s son Chaz Bono shares his mom’s concerns and feelings over his transition from female to male

Previously known as Chasity, Chaz Bono, the child of Cher and Sonny Bono, has embarked on a profound personal journey, transitioning from female to male. The world recognized him as the golden-haired little girl who graced the end of his parents’ The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour.

Chasity was a familiar presence, often seen with her celebrated parents during their heartwarming performances of “I Got You, Babe.”

Over time, Chasity experienced a sense of dissonance with her biological sex and later embraced her identity as a lesbian in 1995, prior to fully transitioning through surgery in 2008.

Confronted with her child’s transition, Cher initially grappled with feelings of loss. She candidly shared with PrideSource her maternal struggles, revealing, “It wasn’t a breeze for me. Neither time. The first time I found out Chaz was gay, it was hard. And when Chaz transitioned…”

She expressed the complex emotional landscape of watching her child transition, stating, “We had countless conversations about it. But then it wasn’t brought up again, and it slipped my mind in a way. What remains is this profound fear of losing the child you love and wondering what lies ahead.”

For Chaz, his difference was palpable from an early age. “Even as a young child, I had this unshakeable feeling of being misplaced. The other girls were preoccupied with the latest fashion trends, classroom crushes, and emulating Christie Brinkley, who was all the rage. At 13, I uncovered the truth about this difference—I was gay,” he detailed in his book Family Outing: A Guide to the Coming Out Process for Gays, Lesbians, and Their Families.

Fans globally have been attentively observing the evolving dynamics between Cher and Chaz, particularly during Chaz’s early transitional phase, which faced some relational tensions. The Sundance Film Festival in 2011 provided an avenue for the documentary Becoming Chaz, capturing audiences with its raw emotionality, including a moment where Cher reacts to hearing her child’s voice after his transition.

Chaz recounted the challenging first year of distancing with his mother to SBS Australia, saying, “My mother entered a period of mourning. It was a struggle for her, and we were apart for most of that initial year of my transition.”

Venturing into the world of acting, Chaz has made a mark with his performances in American Horror Story: Roanoke and taking on the role of Reverend Rydale in The Bold and the Beautiful.

Post-transition, Chaz’s commitment to health became paramount. His participation in Dancing with the Stars was a turning point, leading him to a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, meats, and nuts and resulting in an 85-pound weight loss.

Sharing with Oprah Winfrey in the past, Chaz said, “This transformation was impossible before. There was too much disconnection and discomfort with my own body to even care to take such a step.”

Cher now celebrates the healthy path her son has chosen. In admiration, she stated, “He did it without any push from others. It was his decision, and he succeeded—losing like 85 or 90 pounds. Incredible! I’m not sure I possess that sort of courage,” Cher commended.

It is heartwarming to see the bond between Cher and Chaz now stronger than ever.