In her candid new memoir, legendary singer Cher reveals unsettling encounters with the late music producer Phil Spector, including an incident where he propositioned her for sex when she was just 15 years old. These revelations have sparked renewed discussions about Spector's controversial life and career.
Cher describes multiple disturbing instances with Spector, one of which occurred during her teenage years and another in her professional career involving intimidation with a firearm, Page Six reported.
Cher first met Spector through her former boyfriend, musician Antonino LoTempio. This meeting happened during a crucial early phase of her career. Spector, known for his revolutionary production techniques in music, was then in his early 20s.
During one of their meetings, Spector used the French phrase "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?" which translates to "Do you want to sleep with me?" According to Cher, she responded in French, "Oui, pour l'argent" — "Yes, for money." Her response reportedly took Spector by surprise, highlighting her quick wit even at a young age.
"He might have been a demigod to many, but he acted weird, and I didn’t like how he stared at me," Cher recalled in her memoir, indicating her discomfort with Spector's behavior during their interactions.
Despite the disturbing encounter, Cher went on to become a monumental figure in music and film. However, her past with Spector resurfaced later in her career during a confrontation over the unauthorized use of her vocals in a song that had been released in Europe.
According to Cher, during this confrontation, Spector attempted to intimidate her by pulling out a gun and twirling it. Unfazed, Cher stood her ground and demanded he not tamper with her music, firmly telling him, "‘Don’t f–k with me, Phillip! This is me, Cher, okay? … Put that f–king gun down and promise me you’ll never do anything like this s–y with my music again, okay?'”
Spector eventually apologized for his actions, and they reportedly had no further issues regarding the matter.
Phil Spector's later years were marred by legal troubles and eventual imprisonment for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson, leading to his death in a California prison in 2021. His controversial life continues to be a topic of discussion and analysis, amplified by personal stories such as Cher's.
In her memoir, Cher also touches on more personal aspects of her life, including her sexual experiences. She revealed that she lost her virginity at the age of 14, describing that encounter as "revenge sex" after being brushed off by a boy she liked. This experience, as she details it, left her asking, "Is that it? Are we finished?" to which she then told the boy to leave and never return.
Cher's revelations provide a glimpse into the complexities of her early encounters in the music industry and her resilience in facing challenging situations. These stories from her past enrich the tapestry of her storied career and personal life, offering deeper insight into her experiences and the environments in which she navigated her path to stardom.
This memoir not only sheds light on Cher's personal history but also casts a shadow on the legacy of Phil Spector, intertwining their histories in a narrative that spans the spectrums of fame, music, and personal struggle. From her early days facing inappropriate advances to standing up against manipulation and control, Cher's narrative underscores her role as a formidable force in both her personal and professional life.
