Cher, the iconic singer, and actress, has been known for her bold fashion choices and an extensive collection of tattoos. However, the star is now undergoing a tattoo-free transformation, making headlines across the entertainment industry. In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about the Cher tattoo story and why she removed them.
Whether you’re a die-hard Cher fan or just curious about the tattoo removal process, this article will provide all the information you need about the star’s transformation.
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Who is Cher?
Cher is a legendary American singer, actress, and television personality known for her remarkable voice, eclectic style, and bold personality.
Born on May 20, 1946, in El Centro, California, as Cherilyn Sarkisian, she began her career in the 1960s as part of the musical duo Sonny and Cher with her then-husband Sonny Bono. Together, they released a string of hit singles, including “I Got You Babe” and “The Beat Goes On.”
After their divorce, Cher embarked on a solo career, which proved even more successful. She was known for her extravagant live performances, and chart-topping hits like “Believe,” “If I Could Turn Back Time,” and “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves.”
Throughout her career, Cher has sold over 100 million records worldwide and won numerous awards, including an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, and three Golden Globe Awards.
Aside from music, Cher has also made a name for herself in the film industry, starring in critically acclaimed movies like “Moonstruck,” for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress, as well as “Silkwood” and “Mask.”
She has also made memorable appearances on television, including her variety show, “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour,” and as a judge on the reality singing competition, “The Voice.”
Cher has been known throughout her career for her fearless attitude, outspoken personality, and iconic fashion sense, inspiring countless imitators. She remains a beloved figure in popular culture and continues to inspire fans around the world.
History of Cher Tattoo
Cher had an extensive collection of tattoos over the years. Her first tattoo was a small butterfly on her butt that she got when she was just 16 years old.
In the 1970s, Cher became heavily tattooed, with designs including a black tribal tattoo on her right wrist, a flower on her ankle, a bird on her butt, and a dragon on her left hand.
She also had a large tattoo of a bouquet on her left thigh, which she covered up as it was the name of her ex-husband earlier.
During that period, Cher tattoos were often seen as groundbreaking and unconventional for a woman in the public eye. They added to her already rebellious and edgy image, starkly contrasting the wholesome image of many female entertainers at the time.
However, Cher later expressed a desire to remove some of her tattoos as she aged. In a 2013 interview with Anderson Cooper, she stated that she was in the process of removing several tattoos, as she no longer had an attachment to them.
Why Cher Tattoos are so popular?
Here are the reasons why Cher tattoos are so popular and immediately grabbed headlines for removal:
- Her tattoos were among the first widely publicized tattoos on a female celebrity, which helped to normalize tattoos in popular culture.
- At the time when Cher got her tattoos, they were still considered taboo and associated with criminal or biker culture, so seeing a mainstream celebrity with tattoos was seen as ground-breaking and rebellious.
- Cher’s tattoos were also unique and visually striking, ranging from a large back piece to smaller tattoos on her arms, wrist, and ankle.
- She was also known for her fashion, style, and her tattoos added to her image as a trendsetter and style icon.
- Her tattoos were often the subject of media attention, which helped to generate interest and curiosity in tattoos among the general public.
Over time, as tattoos became more accepted in society, Cher’s tattoos continued to be admired and appreciated as a symbol of individuality and self-expression. She has been a cultural icon for several decades, and her tattoos are a part of her legacy and influence on popular culture.
Cher tattoo ideas
Cher tattoo removal
The singer has not publicly stated why she decided to remove her tattoos. However, it is speculated that her decision may be related to her changing attitudes toward them and her desire to have a more polished, streamlined appearance.
As she has gotten older, Cher feels that her tattoos no longer reflect her identity or the image she wants to project to the world.
Additionally, tattoo removal has become much more advanced and effective in recent years, making it easier to remove unwanted ink.
It is also possible that Cher may have experienced some regret or discomfort associated with her tattoos, leading her to seek their removal.
Whatever the reason, Cher’s decision to undergo tattoo removal is personal. She deserves respect for taking control of her body and making the right choices.
Controversies around Cher Tattoo
There have been a few controversies related to Cher’s tattoos over the years. Here are some of the most notable ones:
1. Religious Tattoos
Cher has several tattoos on her body, including a large cross on her left hand and a smaller cross on her right hand. Some people have criticized her for using religious symbols such as tattoos, arguing that they are disrespectful or inappropriate.
2. Cultural appropriation
She has also been criticized for her other tattoos, which some argue are inappropriate or exploit different cultures. For example, she has a tattoo of a Native American headdress on her left bicep, which has been criticized for perpetuating stereotypes and cultural insensitivity.
3. Tattoo removal
In 2019, Cher made headlines when she announced that she was having some of her tattoos removed. She explained that she was tired of covering them up for movie roles and wanted a “clean slate” for her upcoming tour. Some fans were disappointed to hear this news, while others supported her decision.
Unknown Facts about Cher Tattoo
There are some lesser-known facts about Cher’s tattoos. Here are a few:
1. Cher’s first tattoo was a butterfly
The celebrity got her first tattoo in the early 1970s, a small butterfly on her left buttock. She has said in interviews that she got the tattoo to rebel against her mother, who disapproved of tattoos
2. She has a rose tattoo on her ankle
One of Cher’s most famous tattoos is the rose on her ankle, which she got in the 1980s. The tattoo was designed by her longtime friend and collaborator, Bob Mackie.
3. She has a few tattoos that she regrets
In a 2018 interview with The New York Times, Cher revealed a few tattoos she wishes to remove. She didn’t specify which tattoos she was referring to but said she got some of them in “a very drunken state.”
The weird fact is, you cannot drink 24-48 hours before tattooing. This means that the drunken state she referred to actually meant delusional!
4. Cher’s tattoos have inspired fashion
Her iconic tattoos impacted fashion and pop culture. For example, in 2013, fashion designer Marc Jacobs created a limited-edition t-shirt featuring Cher’s tattoos.
5. She has a matching tattoo with her mother
Cher and her mother, Georgia Holt, got matching tattoos in 2018 to celebrate Holt’s 92nd birthday. The tattoos are two hearts, one with the word “mom” and the other with the word “daughter.”
Celebrities who removed tattoos
Here is the list of 10 celebrities who have experienced significant tattoo transformations:
- Angelina Jolie had several tattoos, some of which she removed or covered up, including a tattoo of her ex-husband’s name
- Megan Fox had several tattoos, including one of Marilyn Monroe, which she had removed
- Justin Bieber had transformed his tattoos, like covering up a tattoo of Selena Gomez’s face
- Rihanna had over 20 tattoos and transformed or removed some, like covering up a “love” tattoo with a henna-inspired design
- Johnny Depp had changed a tattoo of his ex-girlfriend’s name to read “Wino forever”
- Lady Gaga transformed some of her tattoos, like adding wings to her unicorn tattoo
- Ryan Gosling transformed his tattoos by adding a cactus to a tattoo of a monster’s hand
- Adam Levine has dozens of tattoos and transformed some, like adding more details to his pin-up girl tattoo
- Emma Watson has several tattoos, including a semicolon for mental health awareness, and transformed some, like adding a moon to a lightning bolt tattoo
- Katy Perry has several tattoos and transformed some, like covering up a Sanskrit symbol with a lotus flower.
Final Thoughts
Cher is influential even now. But when it comes to women tattooing, she set groundbreaking standards. Her tattoo acceptance normalized inking in pop culture.
But since she is 76 right now, her desire to retain all the tattoos seem to lessen. While it is her personal choice, it makes tattoo enthusiasts reconsider their preferences.
Is it worth inking your body with permanent marks, when you will want to remove it at some point? Is it worth going through the risks associated with tattooing to see this happen?
Her decision to undergo tattoo removal does not diminish her legacy or influence on pop culture. Instead, it demonstrates her willingness to adapt and evolve with the times.
Whether she has tattoos or not, Cher will always remain a cultural icon and an inspiration to fans worldwide.
