Hasty Pudding Ritual : Men in Drag Upstage Cher

Actress-singer Cher, who is known for her exotic and stylish clothes, found herself upstaged by dozens of male students in drag as she accepted the “Woman of the Year” award from Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals Club.

The award was presented Wednesday to the actress after a traditional raucous, 20-minute parade through Harvard Square, in which male club members decked out in wigs, gowns and makeup danced and swayed for thousands of passers-by.

“This is a nightmare,” the actress said, jokingly, as she accepted the award, a small gold pot.

“I don’t know what the other recipients did with their pots, but I’m going to make mine into an earring,” she said.

“All through my strange and illustrious career, I have not been the recipient of many awards,” she added. “It’s always been something in Rolling Stone about what man I was seen with, or something about my belly button.”.

Cher is the 35th woman to win the award, which recognizes a “lifetime contribution to entertainment.” The club also presents a “Man of the Year” award, which is to be given next week to comedian Bill Murray.