Cher credits luck for her lengthy career

By Nicole Evatt, Associated Press

Wednesday, June 19, 2013 | 11:41 a.m.

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Cher is no stranger to tabloid fodder.

The 67-year-old singer who has spent most of her life in the spotlight offered this advice to young artists on navigating the world of paparazzi attention: "You're screwed. That's my advice."

"You don't deal with it. You just try to get a place where no one can find you and that's your little sanctuary," continued the "Believe" singer in an interview Tuesday. "I have a fabulous house that I love and it's my sanctuary."

Looking ever the rock star in leather and studs, Cher took the stage Tuesday for the season finale of NBC's "The Voice." She performed "Woman's World," the first single off her upcoming album of the same name — her 26th album since she began recording in the 1960s.

Cher said reality singing competitions are simply a modern incarnation of classic star-makers like "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts."

"It's just another vehicle, you know what I mean? Talent is talent," she said on the red carpet following the finale which crowned 16-year-old country singer Danielle Bradbery the winner.

The young powerhouse from Blake Shelton's team beat out indie rocker Michelle Chamuel and country duo the Swon Brothers for the season four title.

Though Cher has topped the Billboard pop charts throughout the last six decades, she credits luck, not necessarily talent, for her incredible staying power.

"If you have an idea, you tell me because I haven't got a clue," she said of her secret to career longevity. "I believe that luck has a lot to do with it. There are lots of people who are more talented or whatever, but somehow this has been my path. So this is what I'm doing."