Behind the glitter and the spotlight, Tina Turner was once a woman desperate for freedom – and one of the few people she turned to was none other than pop icon Cher. This emotional revelation was only recently made public after being kept secret for decades.
In a heartfelt 2024 interview with People, Cher recounted a deeply personal moment when Tina Turner, trapped in an abusive marriage with Ike Turner, quietly asked for help.
“She didn’t say much,” Cher recalled. “But in her eyes, I saw urgency. And then she said, ‘How do I get out?’” The memory still brings tears to Cher’s eyes.
At the time, Tina’s life was completely controlled by Ike — financially, professionally, and personally. What the public saw as a musical love story was in fact a terrifying prison. Tina endured years of beatings, humiliation, and threats to her life.
Cher said she did everything she could to support Tina emotionally, even at the risk of angering Ike. And though she couldn’t change Tina’s reality overnight, her compassion and silent encouragement gave Tina the courage to flee in 1976, with just 36 cents and a gas card.
That night became the turning point in Tina’s life. She started from scratch — cleaning homes, performing in small venues — and slowly rebuilt her career. Eventually, she rose to become one of the greatest solo performers of all time.
“Tina wasn’t just strong,” Cher said. “She was the embodiment of survival.”
Cher’s story sheds new light on a painful but powerful chapter in Tina Turner’s life. It’s a reminder that sometimes, a whispered question — ‘How do I get out?’ — can be the beginning of a brand new life.