Zendaya pays tribute to Cher at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony

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CNN
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Zendaya and Cher, two fashion greats known to the world only by their first names, added another parallel to their relationship during the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. At the event, Zendaya introduced Cher — the newest addition to the Cleveland Museum — on stage dressed as her doppelganger.

The Dune star wore a shimmering vintage 2001 Bob Mackie dress with an open bodice and straps across the waist. The dress bore a striking resemblance to a Bob Mackie design Cher wore in 1972. Zendaya’s dark hair was styled straight with a middle part and worn long down her back – another nod to the music titan.

“Thank you, Cher,” Zendaya said at the ceremony. “Thank you for being an advocate, an ally, who has shown the way for so many people of all kinds to live and speak their truth.”

American costume designer Bob Mackie has long been associated with Cher and her illustrious music career. Mackie created countless on-trend, midriff-baring looks for the artist over six decades—from the sheer, embellished jumpsuit she wore to the 1974 Met Gala to Cher’s infamous 1986 Oscar dress, complete with sky-high feather headpiece. Mackie even made Cher a custom-made, ultra-glam Cleopatra Halloween costume in 1988. “Every time (Cher) wore one of these costumes, it was in the newspapers the next day – all over the country,” Mackie said in a 2019 interview with Fashionista.

Zendaya isn’t the only celebrity to take fashion inspiration from the “Believe” singer. Kim Kardashian took inspiration from Cher’s 1974 Met Gala jumpsuit for her 2015 Met Gala look. And in 2019, Dua Lipa — who performed with Cher at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony over the weekend — also wore a replica of the same outfit while performing in Paris.

But while Cher and Mackie’s artistic relationship continues to inspire many celebrities today, it’s unlikely the duo will work together again. When asked if she planned to wear Mackie during her appearance at the Victoria’s Secret show earlier this month, Cher replied with a resounding no. When an Entertainment Tonight reporter gushed that the superstar still “could” do it, Cher reminded us all that she’s been there and done it. “I brought it, baby,” she said.