Chaz Bono, born Chastity Bono, captivated audiences through his journey of gender transition.
Yet, let’s imagine an alternate reality where Chaz never embarked on his gender transition.
In these six AI-generated photos, we envision how he might look today, bearing the features reminiscent of his iconic mother, Cher.
Singer and actress Cher is a mom of two. She welcomed her first child Chaz Bono, born Chastity, on March 4, 1969, with her ex-husband Sonny Bono. On July 10, 1976, Cher became a mom again, when she welcomed her son, Elijah Blue Allman, with her ex-husband Gregg Allman.
Chaz, born a girl, underwent gender transitioning as an adult. When Chaz was young, his mom was careful to shield him from too much public exposure and pressure. However, Chaz was ready for the limelight and bugged his mom to be featured on the “Cher” series.
Eventually, Cher gave in and Chaz appeared on the last show of the last season as a surprise guest. “She felt right at home, since she’d been around television studios all her life, and we both enjoyed it more because we could be together,” recalled Cher.
As Chaz grew up, Cher noted that she felt the most important thing to her was to be honest with her child. The singer would speak the truth to Chaz in a way her young child could understand. She would talk more softly to Chaz than she would to an adult. On top of everything, Cher respected Chaz and he knew that.
When asked if she would like Chaz to be an entertainer when he grew up, the singer replied, “Sure. If that turns out to be what she wants.” The singer described Chaz as very musical and unafraid of the audience unlike her who sometimes feared the crowd.
“If she does become a singer or an actress, it will be her own decision. And she has plenty of time. In the meantime, I am proud of the person she is becoming, and I’m glad she is my friend,” added Cher.
When Chaz turned 19, he revealed that he wasn’t into flashy and provocative fashion like his mother. Instead, Chaz was into quiet and casual fashion, often rocking a T-shirt and jeans.
Chaz also delved into his mom’s parenting, “Sometimes, I act like the parent and mom acts like a kid.” He noted that when his mom wanted to add a white strip to her short jet-black hair, he told her, “Mom, you can’t. It’s ridiculous. What will people think?”
In 1995, Chaz, who had yet to transition, came out as a lesbian. Cher revealed that she had a hard time accepting this change, “I think I had a particularly difficult time. I was very un-Cher-like in my acceptance of my daughter’s choice.”
The singer also asked what one was supposed to do when a person who is an extension of themselves is not doing a normal thing. She nervously added that the most difficult thing to do is to love people who are different than you and believe and look differently.
Cher and Chaz’s relationship evolved again after the daughter the singer gave birth to transitioned in 2009. Chaz underwent gender transitioning coming out as a trans man.
For numerous individuals, Cher became their first acquaintance with the mother of a transgender person. Still, as per Cher and Chaz, the singer’s initial reaction to his coming out was unfavorable.
Cher narrated, “It took me a minute. Because you’ve been with a child for 40 years, and then all of a sudden … but you know what? Chaz was so happy!”
However, over a decade later, Cher had poignant and compelling words to offer other parents of transgender children. She aimed to help them comprehend that they were not losing the child they raised.
Cher stressed the ongoing importance of their child’s happiness to parents when advising others on understanding and reacting to their children coming out as transgender. The singer illustrated the importance of empathizing with the experience by likening it to waking up one day feeling like a completely different person and being unable to express that true self.
“And that’s what I have to tell a mother or father: You are who you are, but how would you feel if you were someone else and you couldn’t be that someone else? That’s how I had to get it, ” noted Cher. The singer acknowledged her initial struggles in comprehending this perspective but expressed pride in her growth and understanding over time.
When Cher was asked if her transgender son was the reason, she was sympathetic with the LGBTQ community, she answered that her entrance into the gay world was when she was nine.
Cher walked into their living room and found her mom and aunt with two guys doing their hair. Immediately, she wondered why they had never had such kind of men around as they were the coolest. The singer added that she connected with the LGBTQ community because they feel like they don’t fit in, just like she does.
Cher also revealed that after Chaz came out as a lesbian, they talked about gender transitioning for years and his son wasn’t sure he would go through with it at first. The singer expressed, “You have one child, but you don’t really lose them. They just are in a different shape! And Chaz is so happy.”
Cher was glad that her son was unbelievably happy. She added that she wasn’t sure why people were afraid of transgender individuals, noting that the discussion around the subject can be hard as it is open to some people and completely closed to others.
Computer-created photos show that Chaz as Chastity would have been a stunning woman. At 55, without gender transitioning, Chaz might have inherited his mother’s striking eyes, possessing a similar depth and intensity.
Chaz has also opened up about his ever-changing relationship with his mom. He noted that Cher has gotten older and now depends on him for things.
“I’m always going to be her kid, but she does say those things where I’m like, ‘OK, I’m 48, but thank you,’” joked Chaz. As a woman Chaz would likely exhibit a defined facial structure, adding a touch of elegance to his visage.
The 55-year-old, whose cheekbones would have been reminiscent of Cher’s iconic features, as per AI-generated pictures had he not transitioned also noted that his mom is a very down-to-earth person. Despite Cher’s superstar status, fame, fortune, and flamboyant style she remains humble.
Chaz Bono also revealed that his mother is his most enthusiastic supporter. Having aspired to be an actor since the age of 14, he featured prominently in “American Horror Story.” “She’s a fan of my work,” he beamed, “she’s been really encouraging and a great, sympathetic ear.”
Despite the passage of time, barely visible wrinkles would trace gentle lines on Chaz’s face as a woman, reflecting a life rich with experiences. His long, curly gray hair, similar to his mother’s iconic style, would cascade freely or occasionally be swept up into a casual bun, adding a sense of maturity and wisdom to his appearance.
Chaz also expressed gratitude for his mother’s unwavering support every step of the way, especially during his gender transition from 2008 to 2010. He admitted that he avoids watching old clips of himself on “American Horror Story”, stating, “Generally, transgender people don’t enjoy seeing images of ourselves before our transition.”
Chaz would have been a gorgeous lady had he not undergone gender transitioning. Now, he doesn’t spend time looking back at who he used to be before he became a trans man. Chaz would rather focus on his journey now and share his success with his mom.
