The Real Reason Cher Was Once Banned From MTV

Throughout nearly six decades in the entertainment industry, Cher has established herself as an icon in many ways. Aside from churning out chart-topping hits and showcasing her acting prowess in multiple films, she's also a legend when it comes to fashion, constantly pushing the envelope with bold outfits no one ever dared to wear.

Together with Bob Mackie, her personal designer responsible for many of her iconic ensembles, they made waves in the fashion industry with striking outfits that people still look back on today. After all, how can anyone forget her see-through dress at the 1974 Met Gala that turned heads? Or how about the outlandish headpiece with matching top and skirt that she sported at the 1986 Oscars?

"For me it comes down to a feeling of passion. It's almost like a painting or an art piece — you look at [a particular piece of clothing] and you're drawn to it," Cher told CR Fashion Book when asked about her relationship with clothing. "When I see something beautiful, it's emotional." And while no one can deny her confidence when it comes to rocking jaw-dropping looks, there was a time where her outfits got her in major trouble.

For the music video of her hit "If I Could Turn Back Time," Cher decided to film it aboard the USS Missouri, the last ever battleship the U.S. produced. Her team asked for permission before filming, and per the Los Angeles Times, the Navy was given the chance to look over the storyline to ensure that the ship will be shown in good light before granting them approval. However, they forgot to ask what she was going to wear.

She wore what Bob Mackie called the "seatbelt outfit," according to Variety. It was a see-through ensemble with only a small strap that covered her privates. It was an iconic outfit by all means, but it also exposed her behind. The LA Times reported that around 200 crewmen stayed up to watch the filming and at the time, they were happy about what they saw to the point that one sailor even gave Cher his hat.

It all changed, however, when the music video was finally released. The Navy expressed their outrage, and according to the book "I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution" (via We Are Mighty), MTV banned the video largely due to "visibility of Cher's butt cheeks". The network backtracked on their decision and continued to play the video, but only after 9 PM.

"It'll be a cold day in hell before she ever films another video on a Navy ship," a junior officer who did not want to be identified told the Los Angeles Times. True enough, even other musicians who wish to film music videos on any of the U.S. Navy ships will no longer be permitted, per We Are Mighty.

According to Bob Mackie, the provocative outfit was something Cher really pushed for. "Cher wanted to wear this outfit so badly," he told Variety. "She got so nervous with the sailors there, she put on her leather motorcycle jacket and you could see anything except this little strap that made that look worse. She loved it at the time, but it made her very nervous – and it's the only time I know she ever got that nervous."

Cher referenced the outfit again decades later at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards, proving that she can still rock it despite the ensemble receiving so much flack before. In fact, she never regretted wearing the outfit — or regretted much else at all. "I never think in terms like that," she told the New York Post. "Your life makes you who you are, so your mistakes are as important as your successes. Failure is highly underrated."