Cher wears 40-year-old pants at iHeartRadio Music Awards, honoured with icon award

Previous recipients of the icon award include Pink, Bon Jovi, Elton John, and Jennifer Lopez.

At the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards, Cher, aged 77, was bestowed with the prestigious icon award, marking a significant moment in her illustrious career.

Taking center stage, Cher not only received the accolade but also graced the audience with a mesmerising performance.

Prior to her musical showcase, Meryl Streep, Cher's long-time friend and co-star from the 1984 movie Silkwood, paid tribute to her with heartfelt words, highlighting Cher's unparalleled achievements in the music industry.

"You know that Cher has had a No. 1 record in every one of the last seven decades. She's the only woman in US history to have done that. What does it take to have those kinds of legs, right?” Streep said in her speech.

The tribute continued with a video montage celebrating Cher's iconic career, followed by a powerhouse rendition of "If I Could Turn Back Time" by Jennifer Hudson.

Cher then took the stage, clad in vintage Chrome Hearts pants, to perform a solo rendition of "Believe" before being joined by Jennifer Hudson for a memorable duet.

The Oscar-winning actor had some words for haters. “There are people who say, ‘Doesn’t that b-tch have more than one pair of pants?’” she said, laughing. “I’ve had these pants for 40 years. I thought we should come here and accept this award together.”

Reflecting on her journey, Cher expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of her fans and reminisced about the challenges she overcame to achieve her dreams.

Cher shared glimpses of her journey, saying  "I don't usually talk about it, but I have been down and out so many times that you cannot believe."

 "I've been dropped by my record companies and couldn't get a job and at that time. I went to Las Vegas, which they called the elephant's graveyard — and I had a huge show, lots of people, bungees, all that and they just said, 'Oh God, she's so over.' But I never gave up my dream and standing on this stage." 

She continued: "From my experiences, have a dream, and then don't give it up no matter what happens. Because I know from my own experience that if you have a dream and you stick with it, you will have a wonderful life and it probably will come true. And that's it for me."

Cher is part of a distinguished list of previous recipients of the icon award. Pink received the honour last year, while notable figures such as Bon Jovi, Elton John, and Jennifer Lopez have also been bestowed with this prestigious title in the past.