Cher blasts Chaz Bono's "Dancing With The Stars" critics

By: Michelle Castillo
Topics: Television ,; Celebrity

Singer Cher arrives at the premiere of "The Zookeeper" at the Regency Village Theater in Westwood on July 6, 2011 in Los Angeles, Calif.

(Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

(CBS) Chaz Bono might have gracefully exited the "Dancing With The Stars" show, but his mother, Cher, had some choice words to say on Twitter about the harsh criticism some of the judges gave her son.

Pictures: "Dancing with the Stars" season 13

"To the Gentleman?I didn't know who u We're b4 which I guess is a blessing ! Going Home is Fine but why insult him b4 he Goes! Maybe Rudeness & Flapping Arms take the place of TALENT ! As for the Older Gentleman ....every Show Needs A Grumpy Old Man !" she posted in a series of tweets. She was referring to "DWTS" judges Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman respectively.

Before Bono was eliminated from the show, Tonioli compared the contestant to "a cute little penguin trying to be a big menacing bird of prey." Bono told him on the show that the judge made him feel like "a fat troll who dances with this beautiful woman every week." Tonioli also compared him to an Ewok in a previous episode.

The singer also posted on her Twitter that she was thankful for judge Carrie Ann Inaba's kind words, and was extremely proud of Bono. "I Have Got 2Hold my TEMPER ! MY Tears R OK ! Congratulations Chaz I'm SO PROUD OF U ! This was YOUR Quest...& u Followed your Star," she said.

Cher has previously used her Twitter account to defend her son against attacks, including several people who disapproved of a transgendered person being cast on the show.

40 Comments +

Add a Comment

See all 40 Comments


by lhutson October 27, 2011 5:49 PM EDT: I think you expect some special treatment because he is a transgender or a heavyset man. The judges give a hard time to EVERY contestant that is not doing good and have every season. Chaz is not special and doesn't deserve to be treated any differently because he might get his feelings hurt. If he can't take the criticism for the "bad dancing", then he should have not signed up for the show. It had nothing to do with his personal life or appearance.; Reply to this comment

by debbie1120 October 27, 2011 10:24 AM EDT

I think Chasity changing to Chaz bothers Cher more than she likes to put on. That is why she is so defensive to anything any one says. As an entertainer, she should be use to the comments. Comments were made about her in her career. Bottom line - Chaz is a girl and will always be a girl. No sex alterations will change that.

Reply to this comment


by JV1970 October 28, 2011 10:30 AM EDT: You could be right about Cher! I read a year or so back that she threw a screaming and cussing fit when Chaz told her that she was going to have her sex change.

by HerHubby October 27, 2011 12:32 AM EDT

First of all, Chaz is still a female, no matter what her mind may tell her, you cannot change your genetics and our society needs to STOP saying that you can change your gender. Second, even though I disagree that Chaz is a male, I do feel compassion for her and hope that she can eventually return to regarding herself as the female that she truly is. I also think that she does have the potential to do acting and other performing. Had she lost weight, gotten in shape and appeared on DWTS as a female, I think that she could have done fairly well, gotten further than she did. I wish Chaz well in her life, I do have to admire her courage in at least trying to be on Dancing with the Stars.

Reply to this comment


by skeezix06 October 27, 2011 5:57 AM EDT: Translation of the above post: Chaz needs to conform to "my" standards and shape his life to meet my approval. Happiness is not a option or a goal.

How...puritan...of you.


by piwaket October 26, 2011 11:25 PM EDT: Seems to me that us Americans are really predujuce.Why is that??? Just want to know....If it were our son or daughter...would we defend their actions in what they do...no matter what? Of course we would. Think about what you say before you post....If your daughter wanted to be male, for reasons they stated to you----you would back them up and stand by their/your decision. Why not now??? It's the same thing!! We all know people like that but are unwilling to admit it to others.; Reply to this comment

by piwaket October 26, 2011 11:12 PM EDT

OMG! Chaz did a great job on DWTS.....why do people have to put another "side" on things??? Is Chaz hurting anyone? NO...It's the other Americans point of view that is distorted. WE are the Land of the FREE and home of the BRAVE! That's what makes this country what it is. WE need to look and see how he did as a participant..not his background. Come on people....he is no worse than a Nancy Grace or a Hope Solo...not much dance background....that's all!!!!

Reply to this comment


by debbie1120 October 27, 2011 2:48 PM EDT: I don't know what DWTS you watched, but the one I watched she was horrible.


by HD1980 October 27, 2011 9:01 PM EDT: Well said piwaket. Yes HE wasn't the best dancer but HE gave it his all. All you with all your negative and hateful comments towards Chaz, drop it. 'Don't criticize your neighbor till you have walked a mile in his shoes!!

by GoUnion86 October 26, 2011 7:59 PM EDT

Chaz, your courage is inspiring. It takes balls to change from a woman to a man, and I mean that literally.

Reply to this comment


by HerHubby October 27, 2011 12:18 AM EDT: Uh, YEAH, it DOES take "balls" to change from a woman to a man and Chaz doesn't have any. She is a woman no matter what surgery she has had.


by technocoffee October 26, 2011 7:34 PM EDT: OMG---Cher looks like Octo-Mom now!!! I wouldn't watch DWTS at gunpoint....; Reply to this comment


by skithebumps October 26, 2011 7:13 PM EDT: Cher should have some plastic surgery on her soul.; Reply to this comment


by michaelm07 October 26, 2011 5:48 PM EDT: Who watches this crap anyway? Seriously; Reply to this comment


by baileyccc October 26, 2011 5:18 PM EDT: Cher is right, the show is about entertainment and the judges think they are judging professionals. The judges need to get right or be replaced.; Reply to this comment