Rocio Mateos
One again, Cher has proven that she’s one of the most iconic and influential artists in the history of pop. The superstar gave a breathtaking performance at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday night right before receiving the Icon Award.
On Sunday in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena, Cher gave her first performance at the ceremony since 2002. Fifteen years later, the legendary singer, who just turned 71 years old on Saturday, May 20, stepped on the stage to perform her biggest hits – definitely turning back time.
With a confidence – and body – we all wish to have at the age of 71, the singer sported a platinum blonde wig, clear bodysuit with a pink studded heart on her left breast, and a barely-there diamond gown to perform her 90s smash hit “Believe,” and that was just the warm-up.
During a brief intermission, she managed to completely change her outfit – wig included – and appeared once again onstage, wearing a vintage black motorcycle jacket over a lace bodysuit, knee-high boots, complemented with some curly black wig to emulate her look for her 1989 hit “If I Could Turn Back Time.” An ode to the classics.
Cher was given the Icon Award for her tremendous trajectory
Super fan Gwen Stefani introduced the singer with some emotional words on her 50-year career, her iconic voice and authentic style. She also made sure to thank the transcendental superstar for “teaching us how to be true to ourselves.”
Cher stepped in to grab her award and then followed to give an inspirational acceptance speech, thanking most of all, her mom.
“So, I’ve wanted to do what I do since I was four years old,” she said to the crowd. “And I’ve been doing it for 53 years. That is not an applause thing, I’m 71 yesterday. And I can do a five-minute plank, okay? Just saying.”
She then recalled a time when she was really young and her mom said to her: “you’re not going to be the smartest, you’re not going to be the prettiest, you’re not going to be the most talented, but you’re going to be special.”
“Then, when I met Sonny [Bono], he said the same thing,” she continued. “And there was really nothing about me that really lead anyone to believe that I was going to be special.”
She also mentioned that time she worked with record producer Phil Spector for a year for $25 and her work with The Wrecking Crew. In a more humble tone, she added “I think luck has so much to do with my success. I think it was a little bit of luck and something else thrown in that had a little bit to do with my success.”
A few days before the show, Cher said in a statement that she’s “honoured to receive the [Icon Award] and take the stage to celebrate my love of music with my fans.”
“Seeing so many powerful artists, especially female artists, emerge and take their place in history through the years has been incredible,” she added. “I’m honoured to be amongst the previous Icon Award winners.”
The award was introduced in 2011 and has recognised artists such as Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Jennifer Lopez and Celine Dion.
Celine Dion enjoyed Cher’s performance as much as we did
Iconic singer Celine Dion was also invited to perform at the ceremony, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of ‘Titanic’ love hymn, “My Heart Will Go On.”
Shortly after her performance, Cher took the stage, and Dion wouldn’t have missed it for anything. As the honoured singer was performing her acclaimed hits, Dion was backstage watching the performance on a monitor and singing along to the “Believe” chorus.
Lucky for us, someone the epic moment on video.
MOMENT: @celinedion singing along with @cher backstage at @BBMAs #bbma #cher #CelineDion pic.twitter.com/6ptcUOfUx4
— Frank Elaridi (@frankelaridi) May 22, 2017
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