LOS ANGELES, CA — NOVEMBER 2025 When two of the most legendary women in entertainment meet, one might expect instant chemistry, mutual admiration, and stardust magic. But when Cher first met Dolly Parton back in 1978, her reaction was something else entirely — bewilderment.
In her newly released memoir, Cher: The Voice Behind the Glitter, the pop and film icon opens up about that unforgettable first encounter with the country music superstar — a moment that has since become one of her favorite stories about friendship, perception, and humility.
“I didn’t know what to make of her,” Cher admits. “She walked in — all blonde curls, sky-high heels, that voice, and that laugh — and I remember thinking, ‘What on earth is this?’”
It’s a confession that’s both honest and endearing — and one that perfectly captures the mix of surprise and fascination that Dolly Parton has inspired for decades.
THE MEETING THAT STARTED IT ALL
According to Cher, the two met for the first time when producers suggested Parton as a guest for The Cher Show, her primetime variety program that had already featured stars like Elton John, The Jackson 5, and Tina Turner.
At the time, Cher wasn’t entirely convinced.
“I gave my manager the side eye,” she recalls in the book. “I thought, ‘She’s a caricature. Nobody can be that sweet, that sparkly, that over the top — and that real.’”
But her skepticism didn’t last long. After a conversation backstage and a short rehearsal, Cher says she was “completely disarmed” by Dolly’s warmth and authenticity.
“Within five minutes, she had me laughing so hard I was crying,” Cher writes. “She was sharp, funny, and kind. Everything I thought was an act turned out to be the most genuine thing about her.”
THE VARIETY SPECIAL THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
The decision to bring Dolly Parton onto The Cher Show turned out to be a masterstroke. Their joint episode — a lively mix of comedy skits, duets, and spontaneous humor — became one of the show’s highest-rated specials of the year.
Dolly’s infectious charm and Cher’s effortless wit proved to be a perfect pairing. Together, they performed a rendition of “Two Doors Down” that critics later described as “television gold.”
The episode’s success didn’t just win over audiences — it also earned Cher an Emmy nomination and solidified her reputation as a host who could blend glamour with grit, humor with heart.
“After that, I was a believer,” Cher wrote. “Dolly wasn’t just a country star — she was a force of nature. She made me realize that being yourself, no matter how loud or glittery, can be the most powerful thing in the world.”
FROM BEWILDERMENT TO SISTERHOOD
That 1978 encounter blossomed into a friendship that lasted decades. The two women, both fiercely independent and unapologetically glamorous, often spoke about how much they admired one another’s resilience.
Cher reveals in her book that during difficult moments in her personal life, Dolly often reached out privately to offer encouragement.
“She’d send me handwritten notes — not texts, not emails — just beautiful little cards with words that made me laugh and cry at the same time,” Cher writes. “That’s who she is. She shines in public, but she glows even brighter in private.”
Their bond became a symbol of female camaraderie in a business often defined by competition. Both women, now in their late 70s, continue to celebrate one another publicly.
“She’s my rhinestone sister,” Cher said recently during a promotional interview. “We come from different worlds — one from the Smoky Mountains, one from Hollywood — but we’ve walked a lot of the same roads.”
TWO ICONS, ONE MESSAGE
What began as a moment of curiosity in 1978 has become one of the entertainment industry’s most enduring stories of friendship — a reminder that first impressions can be misleading, and that real brilliance often hides beneath the glitter.
In her memoir, Cher writes that Dolly taught her an invaluable lesson about authenticity.
“Dolly doesn’t pretend to be anything she’s not,” she reflects. “She’s not trying to fit into anyone’s box. And I think that’s why she’s loved by everyone — from truck drivers to drag queens to presidents. She’s real.”
The book’s chapter on Dolly — aptly titled “The Woman Who Shined Too Bright to Ignore” — captures both admiration and humility.
“People think I’m bold,” Cher writes. “Then they meet Dolly and realize I’m just a warm-up act.”
THE LEGACY OF TWO LIVING LEGENDS
Both Cher and Dolly Parton have defied the boundaries of age, genre, and expectation. Between them, they’ve amassed more than 20 Grammy Awards, billions of streams, and enough cultural impact to span multiple generations.
But what makes this story so special isn’t the awards — it’s the honesty. Cher’s recollection of initial confusion turning into lifelong respect offers a rare look into how even the most confident stars can be humbled by authenticity.
“I thought Dolly was a character,” Cher concludes. “But the truth is, Dolly is the author — of her life, her music, and her magic.”
For fans of both icons, it’s a reminder that true greatness doesn’t just dazzle — it endures.
And as Cher’s new memoir makes waves around the world, one thing is clear: behind the wigs, the humor, and the rhinestones, there’s a story of two women who saw past the surface — and found a sisterhood that sparkled brighter than any spotlight.
“Cher: The Voice Behind the Glitter” — available now in bookstores and online. Read the full chapter on her first meeting with Dolly Parton, “The Woman Who Shined Too Bright to Ignore.”
THE MEETING THAT STARTED IT ALL
THE VARIETY SPECIAL THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
FROM BEWILDERMENT TO SISTERHOOD
TWO ICONS, ONE MESSAGE
THE LEGACY OF TWO LIVING LEGENDS
“Cher: The Voice Behind the Glitter” — available now in bookstores and online.
