On May 2, thousands of fans streamed into Barclays Center for the Brooklyn leg of Cher’s “Here We Go Again” tour to see her for the first — or the 30th — time.
Emily S.K. Michaels, 24, fashion designer.
This is your first Cher concert?
Yes. I became a true fan after seeing Mamma Mia 2, which I thought of more as Cher Featuring Mamma Mia.
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How’d you get ready?
I studied a YouTube video of an Indonesian lady painting her face to look like Cher. Then I put on my wig, which I bought weeks ago in preparation.
Did you get looks on the subway?
Yes, but I dress up in full drag most Thursdays for RuPaul’s Drag Race, and I live in a stodgy building on the Upper East Side, so I’m used to old ladies glaring at me. I’ve even heard them whispering that I’m an alcoholic and am with a different guy every night. They’re right about the latter, except those guys are all gay.
Michael Swan, 29, executive assistant, first Cher show.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Did the rest of your friends dress up too?
Yes. Our feeling was if Cher’s gonna be serving 17 different costume changes, then we each have to serve at least one perfect look.
Chris Eckert, 33, e-commerce director, second Cher show.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Molly Rae, 23, studio manager, first Cher show.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Debbie Friedman, 58, retired, first Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Sam Eisenstat, 25, designer, second Cher show.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Phillip Thomas, 34, fashion producer, first Cher show.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Erin Duran, 28, assistant manager, second Cher show.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Love the wig.
I was deciding between sky blue and mint green. The sky blue was sold out, so my decision was made. I live in Staten Island and took the ferry over.
Thankfully, it didn’t blow off.
Carol Sklanka, 72, retired, first Cher show.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Jim Cunningham, 50, Catholic priest, 30th Cher show.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
You’ve been to 30 Cher shows?
At least. I met her once and told her I was ordained on her birthday. She asked if I chose that. I said, “No, Cher. God did.”
Turquoise Toppin, 37, flight attendant, first Cher show.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Emily Manwaring, 70, retired basketball coach, first Cher show.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Will Baine, 29, student, first Cher show.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Was there a Cher to your Sonny?
Yes. My friend Beth. Actually, this blouse belongs to Beth’s grandma. The mustache, however, I already owned.
Marika Bender, 40, general manager, 20th Cher show.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Alex Myung, 31, animator, first Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Peggy Sonsino, 62, retired, first Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Luna Morgan, 2, first Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Who took you to the concert?
Papa and Daddy. Had fun!
Rose Velazquez, 53, operations analyst, third Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Zach Kaufer, 28, agent, first Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Olivia Anton, 25, senior account executive, first Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Uri Paris, 32, third Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Ronin, 28, pastry chef.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Irina Jasnowski Pascual, 29, artist, first Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
William Underwood, 24, self employed, first Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Patricia Campbell, 29, firefighter, first Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Lorenzo Rizzo, 32, fashion designer, first Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Jennifer Harmer, 41, gyrotonic instructor, first Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Richie Bednarczyk, 49, fifteenth Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Jennifer May, 39, event planner, 20th Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Jon Link, 30, art dealer, fourth Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Lila Schallert-Wygal, 41, product designer, second Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Michael Roy, 26, fashion designer, first Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Hunter Kaufer, 27, drag queen, first Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Linda Timander, 50, IT, first Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
Candy Halikas, 52, youth worker, first Cher concert.
Photo: Kyle Dorosz
*A version of this article appears in the May 13, 2019, issue of New York Magazine. Subscribe Now!
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