While Monday marks the 42nd anniversary of Diana Ross’ iconic Central Park concert in 1983, the legendary singer is becoming the talk of the timelines thanks to a whole other reason. In a surprising twist, it involves her little-known friendship with Cher and how it ended after she allegedly stole her super famous rockstar boyfriend.
Suggested Reading
Trust us, this is a story you’ll definitely want to hear this!
Who Is Diana Ross?
Diana Ross first came on the scene as the lead singer of The Supremes, Motown’s most successful girl group and one of the best-selling acts of all time. She launched her solo career in the 1970s and became a dominant force in pop culture for her voice, glamour and acting.
Who Is Cher?
One-half of the singing duo Sonny & Cher, the popular singer with a sweet voice and killer fashion sense quickly rose to fame. When she decided to strike out on her own (around the same time Ross did), it was clear she was destined to go far.
How Cher and Diana Became Friends
Though there isn’t much out there about the specifics of when the two became friends, per TikTok user Sainte Dallas, Cher allegedly wasn’t too fond of Ross. It’s because the “Baby Love” singer allegedly kept saying Cher’s name wrong around 1965. Thankfully, the two would eventually “kiss” and makeup and later became the best of friends.
How Gene and Diana Got Involved
As told by Simmons himself in a 2022 interview with Howie Mandel, the KISS singer said that Cher unintentionally brought him and Ross into each other’s orbit. He said that while trying to figure out what to buy Cher a Christmas gift in New York, she suggested that he meet up with Ross as she was her best friend and would know the things she’d like.
After taking her advice, Simmons said that he and Ross shared a snack together and later went shopping and hit it off.
“I went up to meet Diana, who is lovely and all that, and she gave me chocolate cake. An actual piece of chocolate cake,” he said at the time.
What Happened When Gene and Diana Went Shopping
In an interview with the Mirror in 2015, Simmons said it was that shopping trip that made them realize they had a serious connection brewing.
“We went shopping. Then our feelings for each other developed very fast and we started a relationship together. I guess thereafter Cher and Diana never spoke.”
Gene Simmons Admitted to Cheating on Cher With Diana
In an interview with Andy Cohen in 2017, Simmons said that he and Ross lived together for about two to three years in the 1980s despite him still living with Cher right up until then. He later outright confirmed the overlap in the same aforementioned interview with Mandel.
Gene and Diana Were Galavanting, Despite Their Unorthodox Coupling
In a cover story for PEOPLE in 1980, Simmons detailed how much the two would often spend time together. He detailed that “followed Diana (divorced from rock manager Bob Silberstein) to Las Vegas, where they gambled in the giddy hours after her late show at Caesars Palace.” They’ve also traveled to Colorado together and spent time at her house on Martha’s Vineyard.
What Gene Simmons Has Said About Diana Ross Since Their Breakup
Unfortunately for the two, Simmons and Ross would end their relationship in 1984. In an interview with AXS TV in February 2025, Simmons had nothing but positive things to say about Ross.
“Wonderful mother, loved her kids. Worked her way up from being a 16-year-old girl in the ghetto. And she’s a self-made woman, just great. You know in the dictionary, there’s a word ‘lady.’ There should be a photo of Diana right there,” he said.
What Gene Simmons Has Said About Cher Since Their Breakup
“I can’t put [enough] praise [for] both women being the amazing women that they are. Cher is just beyond glamorous,” Simmons said to Cohen. He also told AXS TV that she was a wonderful lady and that he cherished their time together.
Where Cher and Diana Ross Stand Now
Seeing as how he essentially messed over both woman, Simmons bares the blame for the dissolution for the two women’s friendship. The two women did still tried to be in each other’s lives while Ross was dating him. But, that didn’t last too long, as you might expect, and the two ended up just parting ways and never speaking to each other again.
However, it looks like the two might be open to some sort of reconciliation as evidenced by a tweet Cher put out in 2017.
“WATCHED DIANA ….SHES STILL BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL,& ELECTRIC ON STAGE. A TRUE LEGEND,” she wrote at the time.
Cher later followed it up in another tweet in 2022, acknowledging the 50th anniversary of Ross’ film “Lady Sings the Blues.”
“50th Anniversary of “LADY SINGS THE BLUES” Diana,(Dian)This Was Acting At It’s Best. An [trophy emoji] Worthy Performance.There Will Never Be Another You, Ms Ross,” she said.
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.
