Cher Reveals Her First Impression of Dolly Parton (Including ‘Side Eye’!) Before They Became Friends

Mar. 15, 2025

Dolly Parton and Cher in 1978.Photo:Nancy Barr Brandon/MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Nancy Barr Brandon/MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Cherhad an interesting first impression ofDolly Parton.In her new memoir,Cher: The Memoir, Part One, out Nov. 19, the “Believe” hitmaker, 78, recalled her experience meeting the country icon, 78, and how they eventually became friends.Cher recalled seeing “an extraordinary-looking woman with a mass of blond curls” during a party at her manager’s house in 1978.Dolly Parton, Cher.Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty, ANDREA RENAULT/AFP via GettyShe ultimately gave her manager “the side eye” and asked who she was. But he told her to curb her judgment, Cher writes: “Don’t make your mind up based on appearance. You’re going to love her. She’s a fabulous country singer. Her name is Dolly Parton.”“He was right, and she is still my friend to this day,” theMoonstruckstar writes.When it was time to film a new special for ABC that was set to air in April 1978, Cher thought Parton “was just the woman” to play the embodiment of “good” opposite the Tubes’ “evil” for her special.Elsewhere in her memoir, the “I Got You Babe” musician recalled givingTina Turnersome life-changing advice on how to leave her husbandIke Turner.In the book, Cher recalls the “Private Dancer” musician coming onThe Sonny & Cher Showtwice with musician Ike, and they became friends. During one of the days they were filming, Turner asked theMermaidsactress for some makeup to cover a bruise on her arm.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Turner then asked Cher how she leftSonny Bono, whom she married in 1969 and divorced in 1975 andclaims once “manhandled” herin the book.“I looked at her and told her, ‘I just walked out and kept on going,'” the “If I Could Turn Back Time” artist writes.She recalled that while they were rehearsing, Ike “didn’t smile one time” and played the guitar “without any emotion.““I just knew whatever he was feeling wasn’t good,” Cher writes.Turner tied the knot with Ike in 1962, and they divorced in 1976. Throughout much of the 1960s and ’70s, they performed together as the Ike & Tina Turner Revue.

Cherhad an interesting first impression ofDolly Parton.

In her new memoir,Cher: The Memoir, Part One, out Nov. 19, the “Believe” hitmaker, 78, recalled her experience meeting the country icon, 78, and how they eventually became friends.

Cher recalled seeing “an extraordinary-looking woman with a mass of blond curls” during a party at her manager’s house in 1978.

Dolly Parton, Cher.Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty, ANDREA RENAULT/AFP via Getty

She ultimately gave her manager “the side eye” and asked who she was. But he told her to curb her judgment, Cher writes: “Don’t make your mind up based on appearance. You’re going to love her. She’s a fabulous country singer. Her name is Dolly Parton.”

“He was right, and she is still my friend to this day,” theMoonstruckstar writes.

When it was time to film a new special for ABC that was set to air in April 1978, Cher thought Parton “was just the woman” to play the embodiment of “good” opposite the Tubes’ “evil” for her special.

Elsewhere in her memoir, the “I Got You Babe” musician recalled givingTina Turnersome life-changing advice on how to leave her husbandIke Turner.

In the book, Cher recalls the “Private Dancer” musician coming onThe Sonny & Cher Showtwice with musician Ike, and they became friends. During one of the days they were filming, Turner asked theMermaidsactress for some makeup to cover a bruise on her arm.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Turner then asked Cher how she leftSonny Bono, whom she married in 1969 and divorced in 1975 andclaims once “manhandled” herin the book.

“I looked at her and told her, ‘I just walked out and kept on going,'” the “If I Could Turn Back Time” artist writes.

She recalled that while they were rehearsing, Ike “didn’t smile one time” and played the guitar “without any emotion.”

“I just knew whatever he was feeling wasn’t good,” Cher writes.

Turner tied the knot with Ike in 1962, and they divorced in 1976. Throughout much of the 1960s and ’70s, they performed together as the Ike & Tina Turner Revue.

source: people.com