The spotlight found Chaz Bono at birth as the only child of entertainment icons Cher and Sonny Bono. But behind the famous smile he flashed on his parents’ variety show, young Chastity Bono was wrestling with profound questions about identity that would eventually lead to one of Hollywood’s most public gender transitions.
Coming out as a lesbian at 18 was just the first step in Chaz’s journey. While Cher initially struggled to accept this revelation despite her LGBTQ+ advocacy, mother and child eventually found understanding. But Chaz’s true breakthrough came decades later when he began his transition to male at age 39, a process captured in the intimate documentary “Becoming Chaz.”
The transformation went far beyond physical changes. For the first time, Chaz felt connected to his body, leading to improved health and an 90-pound weight loss. His 2011 “Dancing with the Stars” appearance made television history while normalizing transgender visibility. Through acting roles and advocacy work, Chaz has become an inspirational figure for those struggling with gender identity.
