Zendaya’s Bold Cher-Inspired Look at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Is It a Fashion Win or Fail

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Even though some people criticized Zendaya’s Cher-inspired outfit, others praised her for it. Cher was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame just months after she expressed disappointment about not being recognized sooner.

At the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 19, 2024, Zendaya paid tribute to the music legend Cher by wearing a sparkling dress. The 27-year-old actress and fashion icon spoke warmly about Cher, sharing her admiration for the artist.

Zendaya’s beaded gown featured a design that exposed her midriff, highlighting her fit figure.

Zendaya’s dress at the event featured criss-cross straps across her chest and had cutouts that made the gold and skin-colored gown look both bold and stylish. The design was daring yet chic.

Zendaya’s outfit paid homage to a famous look from the 1970s when Cher was known for her daring fashion choices and her own music and variety show.

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Along with her stunning gown, Zendaya styled her long, sleek black hair with a perfect middle part. She wore golden stiletto heels that made her tall figure even more striking.

At one point, she added a luxurious white coat with gold embroidery to her outfit. She kept her accessories simple, adding just a bit of sparkle with her bracelets and ring.

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In addition to taking solo photos, Zendaya posed with other stars like Dua Lipa and Cher, who wore an all-black outfit.

As the evening went on, Zendaya honored Cher with a heartfelt speech that resonated with everyone in the audience.

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Standing confidently at the podium, Zendaya shared her admiration for Cher and the impact she has had on many generations.

“Thank you, Cher,” Zendaya began. “Thank you for being an advocate, for paving the way for many people to speak their truth and be open-hearted.”

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Quoting Cher, Zendaya added, “‘You should never be inhibited by what people expect you to do.’ I hope we can all live by those words.”

While Zendaya’s tribute to Cher captivated the audience, her bold outfit sparked mixed reactions online. Many acknowledged her beauty, but some were not fond of her look.

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One person commented, “She’s gorgeous, but this is too revealing.” Another asked, “Does she really need to be almost naked? She looks sad in it.”

Someone compared her outfit to a famous pop culture reference, saying, “Zendaya is beautiful, but the dress looks like a ‘Princess Leia’ costume. It leaves nothing to the imagination.”

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Others were concerned about the message her outfit sent. “Beautiful, but why do talented women need to undress for attention?” questioned one comment.

Another person noted a trend among celebrities, saying, “Why do women feel like they have to be almost naked to be relevant? It feels wrong.”

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Some people criticized the outfit for lacking creativity, with one commenter stating, “Women dressed like this acting ‘edgy’ is old and boring.”

Yet, amidst the criticism, some fans praised Zendaya. “Zendaya outdid herself! She looks absolutely stunning!” said one admirer.

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Another fan embraced the Cher-inspired look, saying, “Total Cher vibes! Gorgeous!”

While Zendaya’s outfit sparked conversation, the main focus of the evening was Cher’s long-awaited induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Cher’s career spans seven decades, making her influence on music, film, and pop culture truly remarkable.

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From her early days with Sonny Bono to becoming a solo superstar, Cher has continuously evolved and stayed relevant in the entertainment world.

During her acceptance speech, Cher spoke candidly about the challenges she has faced in her life and career, saying it was easier to get divorced twice than to receive this honor.

Despite the hurdles, Cher emphasized the importance of perseverance, stating, “The one thing that I have never done is give up.”

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Her speech included personal stories, from her childhood dreams to her groundbreaking success with the song “Believe,” which changed the music industry.

Cher shared how the song came about almost by accident but became a defining moment for her.

With humility, she said, “I’m a good singer, not a great singer. You know what? I’ll take it.” At one point, she addressed the women in the audience.

Cher expressed admiration for women’s strength, saying, “We’ve been down and out, and we keep going. We are special.”

She concluded her speech by thanking her family and close friends.

Before this honor, Cher had expressed her frustration about not being inducted sooner. In December 2023, she appeared on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” and shared her feelings about the snub.

During the interview, Kelly praised Cher’s career, saying, “You have number ones spanning seven decades!” Cher replied, “Two of us have.”

When Kelly learned that Cher wasn’t in the Hall of Fame at that time, she was shocked. Cher responded sharply, “I wouldn’t be in it now if they gave me $1 million.”

However, when the time came for Cher to be inducted, she accepted the honor with gratitude and defiance.

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In May 2024, ahead of the induction, Cher attended the premiere of “Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion,” where she expressed appreciation for those who supported her induction.

While talking to Entertainment Tonight, Cher thanked David Geffen and John Sykes for their efforts.

Yet, true to her style, she hinted that she would speak her mind at the ceremony. “I’m going to have some words to say. I’m going to accept it as me,” she added. Cher certainly did not hold back during her induction acceptance speech.

Rich Man Falls in Love with Homeless Girl He Sees on the Street and Rushes to Find Her — Story of the Day

He saw a girl begging on the sidewalk and somehow couldn’t get her face out of his mind. He had to know her story.

Wealthy businessman Roger Landers was often annoyed by the sight of the homeless begging on the street outside his office building. There seemed to be more and more of them each year, he reflected.

As he passed a young woman huddled against a wall, a kindly soul dropped a coin in her cup. The woman looked up and smiled at her benefactor and that smile pierced Roger to the heart. In one second, that huddled anonymous annoyance became a lovely radiant woman.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

Roger walked into the building and that moment when the girl’s face was transformed by her smile replayed over and over in his mind. He found himself wondering who she was, what had driven her to live in the pitiless streets of L.A.?

For the rest of the week, Roger found himself almost obsessed by the young homeless woman. He watched her surreptitiously, and once when he dropped a coin in her cup, watched that miraculous transformation at close quarters.

Love can sometimes lurk in the most unexpected places.

He found himself thinking about her, inventing stories about her, little fantasies in which he discovered she was really a reporter writing about homelessness at close hand, or a deeply committed actress preparing for a role…

Finally, on Friday afternoon, after he wrapped his work for the day and dismissed his employees, Roger did what he’d been longing to do all week. He walked up to the girl sitting on the sidewalk and talked to her.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

“Hi,” he said awkwardly. “Would it be okay if I bought you a cup of coffee? You look really cold.” The girl lifted up her face and smiled at him.

“Thank you,” she said sweetly. “I’d like that.” Roger was struck by her low educated voice and her grace as she got to her feet. She was tiny, he realized, a petite 5′ 3″ next to his towering 6′ 2″.

He walked her to a nearby coffee shop and ordered her hot food to go with her coffee. Once again Roger was surprised by her delicate gestures, her manners. This was an educated girl. How had she ended up on the streets?

When Roger saw color flood back into the girl’s face after she finished her hot soup, her grilled sandwich, and her coffee, he asked her exactly that. “How did this happen to you? Living on the streets?”

The girl looked him straight in the eye. A wry smile twisted her lips. “I was stupid, and trusting,” she said. “It’s not an original story. I was in love with this boy in my hometown — Idaho — if you can believe it.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

“My parents disapproved of him, which only made him even more romantic and attractive to me… To cut a long story short, he convinced me to withdraw my college funds and run away with him to L.A. He was going to be a movie star, and I’d be a screenwriter…”

Roger shook his head sadly. “A lot of people come out here every year, less than a handful make it!” he commented.

“Well, I’ll never know.” A tinge of bitterness colored the girl’s voice. “The first night in L.A., we booked into a motel. When I woke up in the morning Kevin was gone, so was my money and everything I had.”

Roger gasped. “Did you go to the police? Call your family?” The girl was shaking her head, tears in her eyes.

“I was too ashamed. I made a deal with the motel manager. She let me sleep in the storeroom and I cleaned the rooms. Some of the guests gave me tips, and I managed to eat. But then her husband started trying…” The girl shook her head. “You know how it is. I left the motel and ended up here, on the streets.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pixabay

“What’s your name?” Roger asked gently.

“Emma,” the girl said with one of those radiant smiles. “Emma Sinclair from Preston, Idaho!”

“Well, Emma Sinclair from Preston, Idaho,” Roger smiled back. “I’m Roger Landers from Los Angeles, California, and I’m sending you home.”

Roger took Emma into a nearby mall and he bought her several outfits and a suitcase. He waited at the food court while she changed and came out of the restroom transformed.

He drove her to the bus station and bought her a bus ticket home. He tucked a $100 bill in her hand. “Listen,” he said. “Don’t let any more charming rascals talk you into coming to L.A., OK?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

Emma was crying and smiling through her tears. She reached up and gave Roger a hug. “Thank you, thank you, and God bless you!”

Roger watched her board the bus with a sinking feeling in his heart. Why did he feel that this was a mistake? He wanted to run after that bus, beg Emma to stay… What was happening to him?

That night, Roger realized that the petite waif with the glowing smile had stolen his heart. “If I let her go, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life!” he told himself. “She’s special, and I love her.”

Two days later, Roger was driving into Preston, Idaho. He stopped at the police station and asked where he could find Emma Sinclair. “Emma?” asked one of the deputies suspiciously. “What do you want with Emma?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

Roger blushed. “Well, you see, I met her in LA, and I wanted to see if she was alright…”

The deputy looked him up and down. “You can find Emma at her mom’s laundromat, two doors down. I’m coming with you. I don’t want any more trouble for Emma!”

Roger’s heart was beating fast as he walked into the laundromat and saw Emma. She looked up and her face lit up. At that moment, Roger knew she had been feeling the same way: they belonged together!

So just three weeks after she returned home, Emma headed back to LA once again, but this time she was with a man who loved and cherished her. By the end of the year, Roger and Emma were married, and she became involved in a program to help runaways find their way home.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

What can we learn from this story?

  • Helping others can be a transformative experience. Roger helped Emma, and in the process, he found his own way to life-long happiness.
  • Love can sometimes lurk in the most unexpected places. Roger found love with a homeless waif when everyone expected him to marry a socialite.

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