At a young age, Cher's then-daughter Chastity thought she was a lesbian, but things turned out to be a little bit more complicated than that.
Chaz Bono, 52, is the only child of Cher and Sonny Bono. He has been famous for decades as a celebrity kid but surprised television fans with his pro-Trump character, Gary K. Longstreet, on "American Horror Story: Cult."
Although it was his first time headlining, Bono is used to being somewhat in the spotlight as he was already widely known in appearances as a child on his parents' television show.
Chaz Bono at the opening night of "Little Shop Of Horrors" in Pasadena, California on September 25, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
HIS EARLY LIFE
Bono was born female and named Chastity Sun Bono on March 4, 1969. According to Life and Style, Bono came out as a lesbian at 18 due to tabloid press interference.
Bono started transitioning into a man at the age of 39, but it wasn't until 2010 that he also changed his legal gender and name to correspond. Transitioning helped him develop a positive self-image and lose excess weight.
Following his transformation, Bono has kept growing his career. He started in music, performing in a band called Ceremony in 1988. Later on, he decided to try his luck at acting.
MOM GOES "BALLISTIC"
In his 1998 book "Family Outing: A Guide to the Coming Out Process for Gays, Lesbians, and Their Families," Bono admitted that Cher herself "went ballistic" when he first came out as gay. It's pretty ironic that a gay icon such as herself would react that way.
Bono wrote in "Family Outing": "As a child, I always felt there was something different about me. I'd look at other girls my age and feel perplexed by their obvious interest in the latest fashion."
Bono's experience was documented in "Becoming Chaz" and was screened at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and later made its television debut on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Cher later accepted and embraced Bono's sexual orientation. The singer even became an outspoken LGBTQ activist after that.
HIS HOLLYWOOD CAREER
His first acting gig began in 1972 as Chastity in the "Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour." Bono is one of the first transgender stars in Hollywood and is also a staunch LGBTQ advocate. Bono made history as the first transgender person to compete on "Dancing with the Stars" in 2011.
In 2016, he appeared on five episodes of "American Horror Story: Roanoke." He played Lot Polk/Brian Wells. He also played Reverend Rydale on "The Bold and the Beautiful" in that same year and appeared in three episodes of "Where the Bears are."
In 2019, he played an uncredited role as Digby Neville in "3 From Hell" while playing himself in the 2020 American documentary "Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen." He also starred as Hebert in the 2020 award-winning comedy film "Reboot Camp."
HIS PRIVATE LIFE
In 2017, Bono and Shara Blue Mathes met through mutual friends. Even though they were both singles at the time, Shara was not interested in a relationship as she had just come out of one.
With his charm and wit all intact, Shara soon fell for Bono, and they both have traveled the world together. Also, they get along well with their respective families and are happier than ever.
Shara Blue Mathes is also a child star who appeared along with Jason Bateman in "It's Your Move." Shara is an actress-turned-charity worker and has a son from her previous marriage.
CHER'S OTHER CHILDREN
Four days after Cher finalized her divorce from Sonny, she got married to rock musician Gregg Allman. Gregg is co-founder of The Allman Brothers Band.
However, Cher filed for divorce less than ten days into her marriage because of his heroin and liquor problems. Within a month, the duo reconciled, and they had one son, Elijah Blue, born on July 10, 1976.
Elijah Blue Allman, the singer and guitarist for the rock band Deadsy is infamously known as the 'other' Cher son but is known professionally as P. Exeter Blue.
The 'Goddess of Pop' never remarried and has no other known children. However, she has been linked with other relationships in the past, from Tom Cruise to Richie Samora, Rob Camilletti, and Val Kilmer.
ncG1vNJzZmimlazAb63MqKSapZFjsLC5jmppbG1ibHqltcNmmqGdoqh6tLvNZphmrKKWu7SzxKebnqpdlrC1u9Fnn62lnA%3D%3D