“Now I Understand Her”: Cher’s Tears of Joy After Miley Cyrus’s Soulful Rendition of “Believe”

When one legend moves another to tears, it’s a moment that transcends generations. That’s exactly what happened when Cher watched Miley Cyrus perform her timeless anthem “Believe.” The 1998 classic—long regarded as a milestone in pop history—took on new life in 2021 when Cyrus reimagined it during her “Stand by You” Pride concert special. The performance left Cher so moved that she admitted to bursting into tears three times while watching it.

The Performance That Reconnected Two Icons

The emotional moment unfolded during “Miley Cyrus Presents Stand by You,” a Pride Month special filmed at Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium and streamed on Peacock in June 2021. The event celebrated LGBTQIA+ pride through vibrant performances, glittering costumes, and heartfelt tributes to resilience and identity.

Miley Cyrus’s take on “Believe” was nothing short of a love letter to Cher and to the song’s enduring message of self-acceptance. Surrounded by an ensemble of drag performers—including RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Kylie Sonique Love and Jaidynn Diore Fierce—Cyrus delivered a stripped-down, soulful version that replaced Auto-Tune with her raw, gravelly vocals. The drag performers’ dazzling reinterpretations of Cher’s iconic fashion moments made the performance both a homage and a celebration of artistic legacy.

Cher’s Emotional Reaction: “She Was Perfect”

Cher, never one to hand out easy praise, was deeply affected. Taking to social media, she wrote in her signature all-caps style:

“I’M NOT USUALLY AMAZED, BUT I WAS BEYOND HAPPY!! Everyone in it is pure joy. Proud of Miley, she was perfect.”

But in a later interview, Cher revealed just how personal the experience had been. She confessed that she cried not once, but three times while watching the performance. Seeing Cyrus pour herself into the song gave her a new perspective—not just on the younger artist, but on her own work.

“I understand her now,” Cher said, acknowledging the emotional depth Cyrus brought to “Believe.” For the veteran performer, it was as though she was hearing her own song for the first time—through someone else’s soul.

The Song That Redefined Pop Music

When “Believe” was released in 1998, it didn’t just dominate the charts—it rewrote the rules of pop production.

• Chart History: The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks in 1999 and went on to sell over 10 million copies globally, making it one of the best-selling singles ever.

• Innovation: Its groundbreaking use of Auto-Tune created what became known as the “Cher effect,” a digital vocal technique that changed the sound of modern music.

• Cultural Reach: Beyond its technical innovation, “Believe” became an anthem of resilience and transformation, especially within the LGBTQIA+ community, where its message—“Do you believe in life after love?”—struck a powerful chord.

A Generational Conversation in Song

Miley Cyrus’s reimagining of “Believe” was more than a tribute—it was a dialogue between two artists who have each navigated fame, reinvention, and personal struggle in the public eye. For Cher, it was a reminder that the emotions behind her 1998 hit remain timeless. For Cyrus, it was an opportunity to honor one of her musical heroes while reaffirming the song’s message for a new generation.

In the end, Cher’s tears weren’t just about nostalgia—they were about recognition. In Miley’s voice, she heard not imitation, but understanding. And with seven simple words—“I understand her now”—Cher gave perhaps the greatest compliment one artist can offer another.