Surely, Cher added life and spice to every project she was on.
But despite being both an iconic singer and an Oscar-worthy actor, her long list of lovers
gathered the biggest attention.
It's a well-known fact that the legendary performer once dated Hollywood icon, Val Kilmer.
But while everybody talked about them, particularly their age difference (14 years!), back in
the 1980s, it's not until now that we're getting a glimpse into their romance.
In today’s video, we’re diving deep into what their love really looked like and what
was the real reason the 80s “It” couple split up.
Cher and Val Kilmer reportedly set their eyes on each other in 1981.
He was eating at a Manhattan restaurant when a "lady friend" told him the pop star was
interested in meeting him.
While explaining that he was shocked, he also admitted he wasn't exactly thrilled.
Having moved from the San Fernando Valley in California to New York to study at the
Julliard acting school, he was stunned — and completely unimpressed.
Kilmer wrote in his book that he didn't want to meet Cher initially because he figured
they'd have "nothing in common," and he saw her as "a less-than-fascinating character
out of the gossip rags."
However, that didn't stop the young actor from accepting the invitation, which led to
what he deemed a "wild ride" of a relationship.
It's unclear, however, if this account matches up with the actor's timeline.
People reported that he and Cher met at a birthday party for the Moonstruck star, thrown
by none other than Meryl Streep!!
She said, "I invited this guy and I think either you or my friend who's an editor will
like him."
Is Meryl the "lady friend" Kilmer references?
Ah!
We'll probably never know…
They had an instant connection.
The pair immediately became friends, constantly laughing at the same things and spending heaps
of time together.
He would sleep over at her place, telling her all about his dreams, and take her to
a Japanese performance of Macbeth, and Cher was thinking, "this guy is nuts, we're not
going to get along at all."
But the young Val fell under her spell.
See what we did there?
As for Cher, it didn't take long for her to be enchanted as well.
They didn't rush their first kiss — but when they did ultimately lock lips, oh my!
"When we kissed, I thought my head would shoot right off my body."
And, Cher has a motto when it comes to romance: "My rule of thumb, and it's never failed me,
is if a man's a good kisser he's a great f—" In Cher's words, their relationship was too
hot and intense.
Both were powerful and bold individuals, sharing a series of intimate moments, and often being
spotted together in public events.
The two soon ended up living together at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, where she was performing
at the time.
Cher was not blind to the fact they were not that close in age, but she didn't care, no
matter how many eyebrows were raised.
And why would she?
They were both adults.
"He was so young.
Was he 22?
What was I?
I don't know.
Thirty-something.
It was a bigger deal back then."
There's another thing here, apart from the megastar not being bothered by other people's
opinions.
Cher believes if she hadn't gone out with younger men, she would have never had a date
as younger men weren't intimidated by older women, but older men, quote, “in my age
category, they weren't having it."
Cher also said she had a hard time staying mad at Kilmer.
"Even when I was angry, it was still a joy.
If he called, it wouldn't matter where I was.
I would go," she reminisced.
The singer also revealed the nicknames the couple had for each other, which might give
you some insight into their dynamic.
Instead of screaming in the crowd Val and Cher, they would go for Sid and Ethel.
We mean, why not?
The pair also went by Valus Maximus and Cherus Reprimandus.
"It was just kind of who I was in the household," she said.
"Of course, he was Maximus, come on."
But there was one thing, none of them wanted to give up even slightly — independence.
"He would just go off and do his own thing, and you just had to be prepared."
Kilmer was Cher's relationship that came close to working, as she still feels that their
connection was something unbelievably special.
The sense of humour they shared, the creativity and sensitivity he possessed.
And how good Val was with her kids, Chaz Bono and Elijah Blue Allman .
One New Year's Eve they stayed in, he bought a bunch of art supplies and spent the entire
evening creating artwork with the family.
He scored some major points with Elijah, who later confessed that the actor was his favourite
boyfriend of his mom's growing up.
"He gave me a human scalp for my birthday, and from then on, I just loved him."
Ah, the classic gift…
Despite having far more experience in the entertainment business, Cher also credits
Kilmer with helping build her confidence with her work, including getting the courage to
do the screen test for what would turn out to be her breakout role in Mask in 1985.
That year was no bed of roses for the happy couple, though.
By 1985, Cher had reportedly moved on…
With Kilmer's former agent, Joshua Donen.
Though that sentence may spell SCANDAL, there don't appear to have been any bruised egos
involved.
In his memoir, Kilmer said there was no official breakup between the pair.
Neither of them came up with why they wanted to part ways, but suddenly realized they had
grown apart.
"If I could describe our breakup, I would.
But I can't because it never really happened, at least not formally," Kilmer wrote in his
memoir.
"She never said, 'Val, I'm through with you,' and I never said, 'That's it Cher.
We're history.'"
In 1990, though, she clarified that Kilmer called things off.
Ha, here you go, guys.
Young Val was still a rising star, trying to find his identity and come out of the shadow
of a big name like Cher's.
She added that she often dates men who "aren't much impressed with my lifestyle," saying,
"I always pick men who are more work-ethic sorts."
No matter how long ago they were together, the couple never stopped caring for each other.
Cher and Kilmer remained close friends DECADES after their romance ended.
In 2015, the actor faced the biggest challenge when he was diagnosed with throat cancer and
was left fighting for his life.
His old friend and lover came knocking with help.
She shined a light during his darkest days, inviting him to stay in her guest house while
he got the medical help he needed.
In his memoir, Val recalled a terrifying night from this period where he woke up vomiting
blood.
"I prayed immediately, then called 911," he continued.
Cher stepped in and stepped up.
One of the ways she was able to help was by unintentionally making Kilmer laugh in the
dire moment.
"Even in my grave condition, I saw her scanning the paramedic, who was Gregory Peck drop-dead
handsome," he added.
"Despite the fact that I was covered in blood, I caught her eye and bounced my brows."
Cher was bashful to be busted, but then couldn't help laughing out loud at the audacity.
Never change, Cher.
"Because those guys are so handsome," she remembered.
There they were, joking about beauty and desire, while his life seemed to be in mortal danger.
"We laughed out loud before they finished with my vitals and shut me up with an oxygen
mask."
Today, Kilmer is cancer-free and extremely grateful.
He's keeping busy by doing voice exercises every day, as his speech has been impacted
by the disease.
In addition, the actor has been touring with his one-person show about Mark Twain, and
he will reprise his role in the Top Gun sequel Maverick alongside another of Cher's lovers
— Tom Cruise, one of the best, in her own words.
Also, Kilmer's new documentary “Val'' recently debuted at the Cannes Film Festival and is
narrated by his son, Jack.
Early in the film, Jack is seen on screen saying, "My name is Val Kilmer".
It may be the film's boldest creative move, as the voice of young Kilmer sounds so much
like that of his father.
The film follows Kilmer's life and includes footage he shot throughout his career, childhood
videos, and home movies.
Cher has seen it and loved it.
Years go by as she maintains a deep admiration for Val, both as a person and a performer.
She also wrote a sweet note for her former flame after watching the documentary.
"I said, 'Valus Maximus, I'm sorry if I did anything to piss you off or hurt your feelings.
I love the things that pissed me off, the things that made me hysterical, amazed, hurt,
astonished, etc.
You are brave and beyond brilliant.
Ethel.'"
She also shared that despite their breakup, she still loves him.
In his book, Kilmer shared similar sentiments: "We had a wild ride…and though we'd eventually
veer off in different directions, our spirits stayed united."
Since their short-lived romance, Cher's dating history included her romance with stars like
Tom Cruise and Richie Sambora from Bon Jovi.
She was also married to the late Gregg Allman, but his drug use ruined their union.
Cher may have risen to fame when psychedelic drugs were all the rage; however, she says
she and drugs were never really a match.
Of course, if they were, Cher probably wouldn't be rocking it as wonderfully as she is at
75 years old.
Though, Keith Richards would disagree…
Val Kilmer married actor Joanne Whalley in 1988, three years after the split from the
Mamma Mia 2!
Here We Go Again star.
They divorced 8 years later, and then he dated Cindy Crawford and Angelina Jolie.
Oh, wow!
For the last 20 years, he appears to have been single.
When asked about her current relationship status, Cher stated:
"I'm still on the lookout.
The problem I have with all the boyfriends lately is that now there's no way to keep
something… special."
While Cher likely shares the same feelings that other Hollywood figures share, it appears
that there may be a man (or men) that she's involved with, as she has a problem with "all
the boyfriends lately."
So, Cher, just how many men are you keeping in your view?
And what about reviving some old flames?
What do you think, guys?
Drop your opinions on this iconic 80s couple and their long-lasting relationship in the
comments below.
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