WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 7, 2014) — Across nearly half a century of hit records, acclaimed movies, and concert spectacles, the unstoppable Cher has deftly managed to maintain her youthful mystique while simultaneously delighting in the wisdom that age brings. Now 68, the superstar and self-described “phoenix” sat down with AARP The Magazine to chat about everything from her new hit album and sold-out tour, to her private world and why she avoids mirrors.

The following are excerpts from the August/September issue of the AARP The Magazine story featuring Cher, available in homes and online NOW at www.aarp.org/magazine.

On her success:

“I’m not a confident person, and I’m really not a Cher fan. But I want to make sure I’ll do a great job, so I go balls to the wall and try to do every single thing I can.”

On getting older:

“Every once in a while I think, ‘Jesus, you’re so old! How did this happen?’ I haven’t looked in the mirror in years. The only time I was happy with the way I looked was when I was, like, 40 to 45.”

On growing up:

“When I was a kid, my friend and I ran away and hopped a train, I was always this strange child who wanted more adventure than was allowed.”

On dating:

“Older men rarely liked me. If it wasn’t for younger men, I would never have a date.”

On finding it hard to accept her son, Chaz:

“He’d forgotten to erase his old outgoing message, I thought, ‘I’m never going to hear my daughter’s voice [in person] again.’ ”

Her advice to parents with children wrestling with sexual identity:

“Have faith and hold on. It’s scary because you don’t know how you’re going to feel.”

On former husband, Sonny Bono after his passing:

“I have this fabulous chandelier in my sitting room, and it goes off and on all the time for no reason. I always think it’s him messing with me, because that is what he would do.”

On staying in the spotlight:

“Diane Warren wrote ‘You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me’ for Burlesque, and that’s the closest to who I am. I don’t intend to step aside. This is the first generation that’s said, ‘We’re not going to roll over and play dead because we’re a certain age.’”

Stanley Tucci, a costar of her 2010 film Burlesque, on Cher:

“The most remarkable thing about Cher is that she constantly reinvents herself but maintains a strong sense of identity.”

For the complete interview check out http://www.aarp.org/entertainment/music/info-2014/cher-music-closer-to-truth.html

About AARP The Magazine

With more than 35.4 million readers, AARP The Magazine is the world's largest circulation magazine and the definitive lifestyle publication for Americans 50+. AARP The Magazine delivers comprehensive content through health and fitness features, financial guidance, consumer interest information and tips, celebrity interviews, and book and movie reviews. AARP The Magazine was founded in 1958 and is published bimonthly in print and continually online. Learn more at www.aarpmagazine.org.

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more atwww.aarp.org.

Media Contacts:

Kristin Palmer, AARP, 202.434.2569, kpalmer@aarp.org

Chelsea Sanders, Coburn Communication, 212.382.4451, Chelsea.Sanders@coburnww.com