Cher accused of lip-syncing again after SNL performance

Cher faced renewed accusations of lip-syncing after her appearance as Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend. The 79-year-old artist, whose SNL debut was in 1987, returned to the show for the first time in that capacity, though she has made several cameo appearances in the years since. Her set opened with DJ Play a Christmas Song, a track from her 2023 Yuletide album, and when she opened her mouth the voice heard on the broadcast was heavily digitally altered, prompting a wave of laughter and disbelief from viewers on social media.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, fans filled the timeline with mixed reactions. One post described the moment as 'cher in a hannah montana wig not even remotely pretending not to lip sync her way through her set. camp is BACK!' Another user quipped, 'The lip syncing is iconic. We love you Cher,' while a third wrote, 'quick, someone get cher lip-syncing lessons.' The chatter continued with several supporters defending Cher, arguing that lip-syncing has become standard practice in large-scale TV performances or live parades. 'cher not even hiding that lip sync,' read one post, and 'cher’s mic is everything but on………. fierce.' A chorus of fans also weighed in with praise, with comments like 'idc Cher can do whatever she wants and she's fabulous,' and 'Cher is literally the only person who can get away with lip syncing.' After the opening number, Cher returned to the stage for Run Run Rudolph, a Chuck Berry classic from the 1950s, which was also featured on her 2023 Christmas album.

The SNL moment comes on the heels of earlier lip-sync talk surrounding Cher. Two years ago, during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, viewers again accused Cher of lip-syncing while performing DJ Play a Christmas Song. Some eagle-eyed observers pointed to a moment when she moved the microphone away from her face but the broadcast voice remained audible. Even as some fans remained skeptical, others insisted that lip-syncing is de rigueur for the parade, noting that the spectacle prioritizes entertainment value and spectacle over pristine live vocal clarity. 'Every one of them lip-syncs for the parade,' wrote one user, while another pointed out that Cher's outfit and stage presence could still shine regardless of the vocal mechanics.

The discussion around Cher’s vocals at live events is not new. In 1991, she faced furious controversy for lip-syncing during ABC’s In Concert, which promoted her Love Hurts album. The timing of that episode came in the wake of the Milli Vanilli lip-syncing scandal, which had erupted a year earlier and had already fueled public skepticism about the authenticity of live performances. In that broader context, Cher’s SNL appearance fits into a long-running cultural conversation about whether performances should be strictly live or augmented by technology to enhance entertainment value.

Cher has long been celebrated for her influence on pop culture and her ability to reinvent herself across generations. Some fans defended her on social media by arguing that lip-syncing can be a practical choice for high-energy, televised performances, while others insisted that artists of Cher’s stature owe audiences a fully live vocal showcase. The range of responses underscores a broader debate in culture and entertainment about the balance between vocal authenticity and the production demands of contemporary televised performances.

Beyond the immediate social-media response, industry observers note that SNL’s musical guests often face heightened scrutiny due to the show’s live-to-tape format and the volatility of onstage sound in a studio environment. The occurrence this weekend has sparked renewed discussion about the role of technology in shaping the sound of a live performance, especially for artists known for powerful, distinctive voices. Some commentary suggests a return to the idea that a performance’s success is measured not solely by vocal purity but by the overall spectacle, energy, and cultural impact that a moment like Cher’s SNL appearance can generate.

In Cher’s own catalog, the 2023 Christmas album stands as a notable entry in her long career of holiday releases. It blends original material with seasonal standards and reflects her willingness to experiment with musical formats, even as audiences debate the role of live singing in holiday and public-television performances. The current conversation thus intersects with a broader conversation about how veteran artists navigate modern premiere platforms and the expectations of multigenerational audiences. Whether Cher’s SNL moment will be remembered more for vocal fidelity or for its iconic, flamboyant presentation remains to be seen, but it has already become a talking point about authenticity, spectacle, and the evolving nature of stagecraft in entertainment."