Cher Says ‘Burlesque’ ‘Could Have Been a Really Good, Fun Movie,’ If Not for Major On-Set Drama

Cher opened up about the on-set drama that plagued 2010’s Burlesque.

Cher, 79, appeared on the Jan. 5 episode of Armchair Expert, hosted by Dax Shepard, to talk about her life and career. Shepard was joined by his wife, and Cher’s Burlesque costar Kristen Bell. In the movie, Cher played club owner Tess Scali. Bell played Nikki, one of the club’s main performers, and Christina Aguilera played Ali, who aspired to perform at the club.

Shepard, 51, asked Bell, 45, about how she felt when she learned she was cast in the movie. “I was very excited because it was Cher, Christina Aguilera,” she said.

Cher added, “Also, it could have been a really good fun movie except for you-know-who. Except for both of them.” Bell and Cher clarified that they didn’t mean any cast members had caused issues.

“It was a hard shoot. It was hard,” Bell said. The trio decided not to name names, but Shepard, who was dating Bell at the time the movie was made, said, “What I think I can say, not being involved with it, was there was a romantic relationship happening for people that were very high above.” Cher confirmed this.

“And that was playing out on set quite frequently and dramatically and uniquely to anyone that’s been in show business,” Shepard said.

Cher added, “There was another thing that I cannot mention, but I can’t mention it.” She also claimed that one higher up on the film wanted to cut her song, “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me,” from the movie. “He said, ‘I’m cutting that song out cuz I don’t want Cher to ruin my movie,’ ” Cher said. Bell said she didn’t know about that.

Bell said she remembered “a lot of drama” on set. “The way I get through dramatic or chaotic situations is to find someone to hold hands with in the corner and just laugh at everything,” she said. “Like that’s how I get through it. So if I was either doing that with you or with Stanley [Tucci].” In the film, Tucci played Cher’s assistant Sean.

“I love Stanley,” Cher said. Shepard confirmed, “Every woman loves Stanley.” The movie also starred Peter Gallagher, Eric Dane, Alan Cumming, Cam Gigandet and Julianne Hough.

Though Cher, Bell and Shepard never named the culprits, in November 2010 The Hollywood Reporter published a report that director Steven Antin and Screen Gems president Clint Culpepper, a longtime couple, had collaborated on the film. A source told THR that the couple had “jaw-dropping” clashes on set.

Antin told The Advocate in November 2010, “Things get heated on a movie with this kind of a schedule where everybody’s tired from working 15-, 16-hour days. We had to rehearse on weekends and tech the musical numbers on the weekends. It was a total f—— nightmare. And it was a dream come true.” He called his relationship with Culpepper “complicated.”

As for Cher, she told Shepard that she and Bell “got along so well” while making the movie. “ We were very sympatico and I respected her a lot,” the legendary singer said. “I didn’t know who she was, but you know, she was good.”

Shepard also asked if, when Cher joins new projects, if she’s “aware of the persona” of celebrity she brings with her. 

“It just doesn’t mean anything,” she said. “I’m a woman who’s always worked and that’s who I am and I’m successful. But I don’t buy that other stuff. I just don’t buy it.” She added, “I am who I am and I’ve worked hard to be who I am.” 

Burlesque ultimately made a little over $90 million and received mixed reviews. But Cher’s “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me” has remained a staple in her performances and the movie has spawned multiple memes, including “Wagon Wheel Watusi.” A stage musical adaptation of the film played in London’s West End in 2025.