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The “terrible” 1976 movie Cher was glad had stabbed her in the back: “It was a very bad caricature”
Cher says she was originally cast opposite Kris Kristofferson in the 1976 version of *A Star Is Born*, but was dropped in favour of Barbra Streisand without being told by the producers. The change upset her, particularly because the film drew on her life, but she later felt she had escaped a role in a film she disliked.
Cher criticised the film as a poor caricature of rock singers, arguing it failed to show how suddenly young musicians can rise to fame and struggle to cope. Released in December 1976, it was the year’s second-highest-grossing film after *Rocky*, won an Academy Award from four nominations, and took all five Golden Globes for which it was shortlisted, including Best Actress for Streisand.
In short
- Cher says she was replaced by Barbra Streisand without being told.
- She later called the film a poor caricature of rock singers.
- The 1976 film was a major box-office and awards success.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Cher’s criticism has force if the film’s portrayal of rock stardom felt too simplified to capture the sudden fame and pressures young musicians can face. Being replaced without being told, especially in a story she felt drew on her own life, could also reasonably have made the decision feel personal and dismissive.
The case against
The film’s success and awards suggest that many viewers and industry voters found value in its performances and storytelling, even if it did not satisfy Cher’s account of rock life. A dramatic film may also compress or stylise real experiences rather than aim for a fully representative portrait, so its caricature could be seen as a creative choice rather than a failure of accuracy.