Cher Said Social Media Makes Dating Nearly Impossible: ‘There’s No Way to Keep Something Special’

Cher started her career in music with a duo with her then-husband and has been linked to several different men throughout her life. These days, though, she says that dating has been made difficult by the rise in social media. She explained how this has impacted her dating life and revealed that her relationships were better before the Internet was so big.

How many times did Cher get married?

At the age of 16, Cher dropped out of high school and moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Not long after, she met Sonny Bono, who helped her launch her solo career. Eventually, however, the pair became romantically involved and formed a musical duo. The couple rose to success, producing records and hosting a variety show together. Throughout all of this, however, they were having marital problems. In 1974, the couple split, finalizing their divorce in 1975.

Soon after the divorce was finalized, Cher entered into an even more tumultuous marriage with Gregg Allman. Just nine days later, Cher filed for divorce, citing Allman’s heroin and alcohol usage. Though they got back together, they split again, and their divorce was finalized in 1979. 

The ‘Believe’ singer said that social media makes it difficult to date

After her marriages, Cher dated several other famous men, including Gene Simmons and David Geffen. In 1985, she met Tom Cruise, who she would eventually date.

“We didn’t go out till way later, but there definitely was a connection there,” she told The Daily Mail.

In an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Cher described Cruise as one of her top five greatest lovers. Later, she admitted she couldn’t remember describing Cruise in that way.

“I could have said it,” she said. “God knows I say everything. Although I think I’m much more guarded now because of social media and because everyone has a camera. You can’t get any privacy now.”

Beyond the invasion of privacy, Cher says that social media makes modern dating exceedingly difficult. 

“I’m still on the lookout [for a boyfriend],” she explained. “The problem I have with all the boyfriends lately is that I don’t want to go any place with them because you can’t keep a relationship going in this kind of goldfish bowl, where everything you do and every picture you have taken will be on Instagram. There’s no way to keep something … special.”

Does Cher have children?

Cher had one child in each of her marriages. When she was 22, Cher and Bono welcomed their son Chaz. He would go on to make frequent appearances on their variety show. Like his parents, Chaz has spent some time in the spotlight, with appearances on Dancing With the Stars, American Horror Story, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

In 1976, Cher and Allman had a son, Elijah Blue. Like his father, Elijah Blue is a musician known professionally as P. Exeter Blue.