Move over royals: Cher is headed to Richmond Forum

Driving the news: The legendary artist will be in town on Nov. 21 as one of the forum's speakers for the 2026-2027 season, the nonprofit announced this week.

• Cher will share stories about her life, lessons she's learned and the philosophy that helped drive her decades-long career, per a news release.

What they're saying: "For 60 years, she has refused to shrink" or fit a mold, says Forum executive director Heather Crislip.

• "Richmond knows something about that. This is a vibrant, creative city that has done its own reinventing, and ... there is no better place to hear Cher's story than here."

Also on tap for The Forum next season: Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (April), education entrepreneur Sal Khan (February), economist Baroness Dambisa Moyo (March) and psychologist Dr. Laurie Santos (January).

Be smart: The Richmond Forum is one of the nation's largest nonprofit speaker series and designed to bring interesting people to the Altria Theater to encourage public discourse.

• The series has been around since 1987 and basically sold out ever since.

Yes, but: You can buy a seat in the simulcast room and watch from Altria's ballroom for $155, or watch online at home for $145 a household.

• Both options will get you on the Forum's waitlist for seats in the theater, should they open up.

But, but, but: Sulking around outside of Altria (or probably The Jefferson) in late November and hoping to catch a glimpse of Cher IRL is perfectly free.