Chaz Bono’s journey from childhood to adulthood was marked by courage, resilience, and self-discovery. Born into the limelight as the child of Sonny and Cher, Chaz faced the challenge of navigating his identity in the public eye. Despite initial struggles with addiction, body image, and societal expectations, Chaz has emerged as a beacon of hope and authenticity in the LGBTQ+ community. His journey from coming out as a lesbian to embracing his identity as a transgender man was a testament to his unwavering determination to live authentically. In addition to personal growth, Chaz has built a successful career in acting, writing, and activism, inspiring others through his openness and advocacy. In between his professional endeavors, Chaz found love and companionship with Shara Blue, whose relationship serves as a source of strength and support through life’s challenges. Chaz continues to thrive in both his personal and professional life, and his story is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-acceptance, resilience, and love.
Musical duo Sonny and Cher have only one child, Chaz Bono. But although Chaz’s parents’ TV show “The Sonny & Cher Show” introduced him to the world as a bright-eyed young girl named Chastity, years later Chaz emerged from their shadow and established a successful career. Chaz is an actor, writer, and singer who has been an LGBT activist since coming out in 1995.
The actor had to overcome a number of challenges before becoming a household name in the entertainment industry. He struggled with addiction and body image for a while before becoming an active advocate for both after resolving his health issues. Chaz shares his past in an honest and open manner with the intention of helping others.
Although Chaz’s early years were dominated by his famous parents, he is currently focused on his own initiatives and has established himself in the industry. In recent years, Chaz has appeared on several episodes of “American Horror Story,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Last year he also starred in a mockumentary about a fake self-help guru and a documentary about transs*xual lives.
Some people may not realize it, but the actor’s romantic life flourishes alongside his job. As of 2017, Chaz has been dating Shara Blue, an actress who is now a charity worker. Despite not being particularly public about their relationship, the couple have shared some memorable moments on social media in recent months. Let’s take a look at it.
On March 4, 1969, Chaz Sun Bono was born in Los Angeles, California to the late Sonny Bono and Cher. Chaz didn’t necessarily crave the limelight, but it’s understandable that his life story was publicized from an early age given that his parents were known as the singing duo Sonny & Cher when he was born. This may have made his journey to acceptance and self-awareness more difficult.
The cherubic-looking child of a hippie couple, Chaz remembered feeling different from the women in his class. At eighteen, he came out to his parents as a lesbian. Chaz wrote in his book “Family Trip”:
“Even as a young child, I realized something else. I was confused by other girls my age’s apparent interest in the latest styles, whose class boy was the cutest, and who most closely resembled Christie Brinkley, the cover girl. When I was thirteen, I finally spoke up, about how unusual I am. I’ve come to terms with my s*xual orientation.”
When Chaz was in his early 20s in 1995, he came out in an interview with The Advocate. According to his memoir, coming out “catapulted me into a political role that changed my life and gave me validation as a lesbian, as a woman, and as an individual.”
Cher has long been a lesbian icon and advocate for the LGBT community, but Chaz revealed that his mother was initially concerned about the news before accepting it. A year after Chaz came out as the delighted father of a gay child, Cher graced the cover of The Advocate.
After more than a decade as an LGBT champion, Chaz came out as a transgender guy.
In a 2011 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Chaz spoke openly about his journey and the realization that he wasn’t born with the right body.
He clarified that because all his friends were boys, he always felt like a boy. But he had no problems with his female body until he was a teenager. In his words to Winfrey:
“As I got older, especially as I approached puberty, I felt like the expectations around me changed or how I was supposed to behave, but I also felt like my body betrayed me because I went from being very athletic, you know, straight up and down, a little baby, to a very thin woman, and it was just terrifying to me.”
He went on to say:
“You have this image of yourself and your body is doing the exact opposite of what you feel.”
Chaz claimed that his mother was less accepting of his boyish behavior when he was younger, but this was probably because he was trying to be like his father and follow in his footsteps.
On the other hand, Cher, who thought of Chaz as her little girl, most likely felt that her expectations and reality did not match.
In the same interview with Winfrey, Chaz reportedly opened up, telling the Daily Mail that coming out as a lesbian “worked for a little while,” but that he eventually recognized what he felt was something else. He said:
“I had this idea that yes, I felt more like a boy and that I wished I was a boy. But because I wasn’t, I would have to deal with it. And for some reason, I thought it was just part of the community and that other lesbians think the same.”
He went on to say:
“But then I realized that it’s not lesbian at all. That’s the definition of transs*xual identity.”
Chaz began changing his gender in mid-2008 and in June 2009 it was official. His publicist told TV Guide at the time:
“After much thought and several years of consideration, Chaz has made the brave decision to embrace his true identity. He appreciates the love and support he has already received from those close to him and is proud of his decision.”
“Chaz hopes that his choice to transition will open the hearts and minds of the public to this issue, as well as his coming out,” they said. In May 2010, Chaz formally changed his name to Chaz Salvatore Bono, completing his legal transition.
In a 2011 film called “Becoming Chaz,” which was released the following year, the actor even chronicled the transformation. “Becoming Chaz” was nominated for three Primetime Emmys and took home top honors at the 2012 GLAAD Media Awards.
Over the years, Chaz has struggled with his weight in addition to his transformation. In 2012, the actor revealed to Dr. Travis Stork, co-host of “The Doctors” and an emergency room doctor, that his family “valued more than anything” that he grew up thin. While he “wasn’t an overweight kid,” he clarified, he was “always on a diet.”
Although Chaz talked about the “pressure of being underweight as an adult”, he was overweight as an adult and wanted to get better. After weighing in at 250 pounds in November 2012, Chaz vowed to start losing weight, according to ABC News. He was also successful, gaining 190 pounds by May 2013.
“I feel very happy and comfortable with the way I’m eating now, which is amazing and a bit of a miracle for me,” said the 44-year-old. “I never imagined that I would be such a person!”
According to the actor, a healthier diet and regular exercise gave him “a lot more confidence” and he “really liked what (he saw) in the mirror.”
A weight loss journey can be started for many reasons such as health, self-esteem, or other factors. The results usually go beyond just trimming; they can also change a person’s emotional state and motivate them to keep moving forward in other aspects of their life. That seems to be the case for Chaz, who dealt with his weight after coming to terms with who he was and has since seen steady growth in his acting career.
Ever since he started living his truth, Chaz’s career has never been better. He starred in the mockumentary film “Reboot Camp”, which won the Audience Award at the 2020 Austin Film Festival. The comedy “Reboot Camp” centers on two brothers who create a fake self-help organization that takes off and becomes extremely popular. Chaz plays Herbie in the film, a character “not too far off” from his role as Gary Longstreet in “American Horror Story: Cult,” according to The Austin Chronicle. Chaz told the paper:
“Herbie just seemed like a weird evolution of the role I played on American Horror Story … I went in with the intention of being very absorbed and moved because Herbie was absurd and he certainly didn’t kill people.”
He clarified that despite the obvious differences between comedy and horror, Chaz finds no difference between the two genres in his experience as an actor:
“Performance requires all commitment; anything less is a farce. That’s the key. And if it is, it works.”
In addition to his role in “Reboot Camp,” Chaz was one of several trans men and women featured in the 2020 Netflix documentary “Disclosure,” which explores the ways in which transgender representation in Hollywood has affected American culture over time. In a 2020 Instagram post, Chaz wrote:
It is a privilege to be among the other gifted trans performers in this amazing documentary. The publication looks at how transgender people have been portrayed in the media, all the way to silent film.”
In recent years, Chaz has lost weight, pursued an acting career, and found love. As of 2017, Chaz has been dating Shara Blue, a former actress who currently focuses on charity work.
Blue’s acting career was limited, but at the age of fifteen she co-starred with Jason Bateman in the 1980s TV series ‘It’s Your Move’.
Chaz initially met the single mother in the spring of 2017, but Blue was not looking for romance at the time, according to the Daily Mail.
But a few months later, a romance must have blossomed between them, so it must have worked out for them. News reports claimed that the couple shared many similarities, such as growing up in the entertainment scene and being addicted to drugs.
But the couple overcame their obstacles and discovered companionship and pleasure.
In addition, families support each other in partnership. Blue was invited to the 91st birthday party of Georgia Holt, Chaz’s grandmother, in June 2017. The pair went to Adelaide, Australia in 2018 to see Cher play. According to a news source, Blue’s baby Cooper is the most important person in her life and she gets along well with Chaz. According to a source quoted by the Daily Mail:
“They go out of their way to see their families whenever they are in the US.
It’s really important to them. Georgia, Cher’s mother, and Shara are like family to her. They’re ecstatic that Chaz found happiness in someone.”
The insider called the couple “a great team” who have taken several trips around the world together.
But after Blue revealed she was battling breast cancer, the couple’s pace seemed to have slowed.
In October 2021, she shared a video of herself getting her head shaved by a friend after chemotherapy caused her hair to fall out.
This ends the fight with hair, she captioned the photo. #thankyou #freedom #newchapter”
However, the couple posted information about themselves on social media. A photo of the couple was posted by Chaz in December 2021. The touching caption said:
“I love this picture I took with @sharablue. I think it perfectly captures how much I love and has tried to be a caring and supportive partner to Shara, as well as her amazing bravery and dignity during her breast cancer treatment this year.”
It’s no wonder Chaz shared a sentimental anniversary photo in January 2023 that made fans happy, considering how in love he and Blue are obviously.
In the caption, he wrote:
“Today is Shara and my sixth anniversary. I truly appreciate having this amazing woman in my life.”
Many people congratulated the adorable couple in their comments on the picture. Blue and Chaz look incredibly happy and their families are behind them 100%. After all he’s been through, it’s really touching to see Chaz in a romantic relationship. We hope to see more of this couple in the future and wish them the best of luck.
Are you a Chaz Bono fan? Were you aware of all the difficulties he had during his life? Did you know he’s dating Shara Blue? Please tell us about it and spread the word so others know!
In conclusion, Chaz Bono’s journey from his early years as the child of iconic entertainers Sonny and Cher to his current endeavors as an actor, writer, and LGBT activist has been marked by both personal struggles and professional successes. Overcoming challenges related to addiction, body image, and gender identity, Chaz has proven to be a resilient advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, openly sharing his experiences to inspire and support others. His career in the entertainment industry flourished, with notable roles in film and television, along with his continued activism and advocacy. Additionally, his relationship with partner Shara Blue has been a source of love and support, with the couple sharing their journey openly and honestly. As Chaz continues to navigate life’s ups and downs, his resilience and determination serve as an inspiration to many, and his commitment to authenticity and advocacy remains unwavering.