5 Jaw-Dropping Facts About Cher’s Iconic Role In Mamma Mia 2: The Truth Behind Ruby Sheridan’s Grand Entrance
When Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again premiered in July 2018, fans of the original film were ready for sunshine, ABBA, and a healthy dose of Greek island escapism. However, nothing could have prepared them for the cinematic dynamite that was the grand, dramatic entrance of Cher. The legendary superstar’s casting as Ruby Sheridan, the long-lost mother of Donna Sheridan, instantly became the most talked-about moment of the sequel, injecting a fresh, high-voltage glamour into the beloved franchise, and the hype continues even today in late 2025 as the third film is in active development.
Cher’s appearance was not just a cameo; it was a pivotal moment that tied the film’s past and present storylines together. Her performance, especially the show-stopping rendition of the ABBA classic "Fernando," cemented her status as the queen of musical theater on screen. But behind the sequins and the dramatic arrival by helicopter, there are several fascinating, and sometimes controversial, facts about how this iconic role came to be and what it means for the future of the *Mamma Mia* universe.
Cher: A Living Legend's Profile and Career Milestones
Cher’s role in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again was a celebrated return to the big screen for the icon. To appreciate the magnitude of her casting, it helps to look at her monumental career, which spans over six decades in music, film, and television.
- Full Name: Cherilyn Sarkisian
- Born: May 20, 1946
- Key Nicknames: The Goddess of Pop, The Queen of Camp.
- Career Span: 1960s–present.
- Career Highlights (Pre-Mamma Mia 2):
- Music: Over 100 million records sold worldwide, hits including "Believe," "I Got You Babe," and "If I Could Turn Back Time."
- Film: Won an Academy Award (Best Actress for Moonstruck, 1987).
- Television: Won a Golden Globe Award for Best TV Actress (The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour).
- Awards Recognition: She is one of the few artists to have won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, and three Golden Globe Awards.
- Recent Honors (2018): She was named a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2018, the same year the film was released.
1. The Controversial 3-Year Age Gap with Meryl Streep
One of the most talked-about details of Cher's casting was the minimal age difference between her and her on-screen daughter, Meryl Streep.
The Reality: Cher, who plays Donna Sheridan’s mother, Ruby Sheridan, was 72 years old when the film was released in 2018. Meryl Streep, who plays Donna, was 69. This means Cher is only three years older than the actress playing her daughter.
The Filmmakers’ Response: Director Ol Parker and producer Judy Craymer were fully aware of the age gap. The decision to cast Cher was based purely on her star power and the desire to have a true icon play the role of the equally iconic, yet estranged, matriarch. The film's narrative embraces the absurdity, with Cher’s character Ruby being a larger-than-life figure who exists outside the normal rules of the universe.
A Reunion: This wasn't the first time the two legends worked together. Cher and Meryl Streep previously starred opposite each other in the 1983 drama Silkwood.
2. Cher’s Iconic Duet of ‘Fernando’ Was a Last-Minute Twist
The emotional climax of Ruby Sheridan’s storyline is her passionate duet of “Fernando” with her long-lost love, Fernando Cienfuegos, played by Andy Garcia.
The Casting Chemistry: Andy Garcia’s character, Fernando Cienfuegos, is introduced as the hotel manager, but his true identity is revealed when Ruby arrives by helicopter and shouts, “Fernando!” in surprise.
A Unique Rendition: Cher’s rendition of “Fernando” is distinct from the original ABBA track. The song is framed as a reunion and a remembrance of their past, giving it a deeper, more romantic, and nostalgic feel. It became one of the most celebrated musical numbers of the entire film.
The Power of the Song: The song’s placement in the film is a masterstroke of musical storytelling, using the power of ABBA’s catalogue to resolve Ruby’s complicated past and provide a moment of true joy and reconciliation. The two characters, Ruby and Fernando, were lovers in 1959, adding a layer of decades-long history to their reunion.
3. Ruby Sheridan’s Backstory Contradicts the Original Film
The character of Ruby Sheridan, Donna’s mother, was a necessity for the sequel’s plot, but her introduction created a minor continuity issue for die-hard fans of the 2008 original.
The Original Hint: In the first Mamma Mia! movie, Donna mentions her mother, suggesting a strained or non-existent relationship. Some fans interpreted the dialogue to mean Donna’s mother was deceased or estranged to the point of being a non-factor.
The Sequel’s Retcon: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again directly addresses this by making Ruby a famous, globe-trotting singer with a dramatic flair and an overbearing personality. Donna’s strained relationship with her is explained by Ruby’s absence and critical nature, such as telling a young Donna she was "a little pitchy" while singing.
The Vegas Singer Trope: Ruby is portrayed as a glamorous Las Vegas-style performer, a perfect vehicle for Cher’s real-life persona, complete with over-the-top, fabulous costumes.
4. The Role Was Taken ‘On a Lark’ and Filmed in Croatia
Cher’s involvement in the sequel was surprisingly casual, and the beautiful Greek setting of the first film was replaced by a stunning Mediterranean location for the second.
A Spontaneous Decision: Cher revealed that she took the role "on a lark," meaning she accepted it impulsively and for fun. She also humorously noted that she "didn't have much choice" in the matter, suggesting a strong push from the production team who desperately wanted her star power.
The New Kalokairi: While the story is set on the fictional Greek island of Kalokairi, the sequel was actually filmed on the beautiful, remote Croatian island of Vis.
Filming Locations: The production crew spent six weeks on Vis, transforming the local harbor, Komiža Village, and Stiniva Bay into the vibrant settings of the film. This change in location gave the sequel a slightly different, but equally stunning, visual aesthetic.
5. Cher’s Costumes Were Designed to Be Pure Cher
Cher’s wardrobe in Mamma Mia 2 was as important as her performance, designed to reflect her real-life fashion legacy of sequins, drama, and maximalism.
The Bob Mackie Influence: Cher is famously associated with legendary costume designer Bob Mackie, who created some of her most outrageous and iconic outfits throughout her career.
A Diva’s Touch: When Cher was first presented with costume ideas for Ruby, she reportedly rejected them, saying, "No no, I don't think that's Ruby." She was heavily involved in ensuring her on-screen wardrobe was appropriately grand and reflective of her status as a pop diva.
The Finale Outfit: Her most memorable outfit is the sparkling, white, wide-legged jumpsuit she wears in the grand finale, perfectly capturing the spirit of her own stage outfits and the over-the-top energy of the ABBA musical.
What Cher’s Role Means for Mamma Mia 3 (2025 Updates)
The success of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, largely fueled by the buzz around Cher and the younger cast, has made a third film an almost certainty. As of late 2025, the project is moving forward.
Active Development: Producer Judy Craymer has confirmed that Mamma Mia 3 is in active development and that a script for the third film exists. The cast, including Amanda Seyfried (Sophie), has expressed their willingness to return.
Cher’s Hope: Cher herself has been optimistic about the possibility of a threequel, stating that she would "love" to return for Mamma Mia 3, especially if it meant sharing more screen time with Meryl Streep.
The Future of Ruby: Given Ruby Sheridan’s dramatic introduction and reconciliation with her family, her character is poised to play a central, perhaps even more musical, role in the next chapter of the Sheridan family saga, ensuring that the Goddess of Pop will continue to bring her unique brand of magic to the Kalokairi universe.
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