From Chastity To Chaz -- Bono’s Transformation Through The Years
Sept. 12 2011, Published 10:30 a.m. ET
By Breaking Celebrity News Staff
Chaz Bono is waltzing out of his famous parents’ shadow for the first time in his upcoming stint on Dancing with the Stars.
Although fans of Sonny and Cher fondly remember the cute little girl that came on stage with her parents during their iconic 1960s TV show, few people knew the private pain that Chasity carried with her as she grew up.
The casting of Chaz,42,on the hit ABC dance show has caused controversy even before the premiere airs.
Christian groups and parental advocacy organizations have lashed out saying that the transgendered wannabe dancer will be a bad influence on young viewers who will be confused by Chaz’s transformation from a woman to a man.
But Chaz has had a complicated life thus far, and it seems he is finally ready to face his mainstream critics head-on in one of the most popular shows on television and show that he is not as “scary” as he is being portrayed to be.
Chaz’s gender re-assignment process began in 2008, and in 2010 he was officially recognized by the state of California as a man.
He legally went from being Chastity Sun Bono to Chaz Salvatore Bono.
Chaz was the only child of Sonny Bono and Cher, although they both have children from other relationships.
He grew up as a young girl appearing on his parents’ television variet