Cher, 79, and Alexander “A.E.” Edwards, 39—celebrity couple, public fascination, lots of red flags? According to insiders, yes. While Cher has been romantically linked with the music producer since late 2022, her family has reportedly grown uneasy. Add in the recent overdose and hospitalization of her son, Elijah Blue Allman, and things start to look more complicated than a simple romance. The “Believe” singer may be waking up to the idea that love and legacy are messy bedfellows.
Who’s Who & What’s Happened
Cher is the cultural icon—singer, actress, Oscar winner, public figure since forever. A.E. Edwards is a music producer and exec, significantly younger, whose relationship with Cher has been in the spotlight since they went public in November 2022. Elijah Blue Allman is Cher’s 48-year-old son (with the late Gregg Allman), musician, with a long history of substance abuse and mental health struggles.
What the Insiders Say
Red Flags, Part One: Age, Power & Control
Sources close to Cher claim that Edwards’ behavior has raised concerns: excessive partying, his “roving eye,” rumors about his intentions. Her loved ones are reportedly warning her about potential exploitation—both emotional and financial. There have also been whispers that she considered amending her will in his favor, and that Edwards has gained creative control (and financial benefits) on her forthcoming album. Family members fear that she’s giving away both influence and leverage. Яху+3The Blast+3SheKnows+3
Red Flags, Part Two: Party Scene vs. Cher’s Priorities
Another complaint from people close to Cher is that the nature of A.E.’s social life clashes with hers. He’s allegedly been spotted at festivals, parties, with scantily-clad women, while Cher is more interested in stability, meaning, companionship. She’s been described as less keen on being in the spotlight just for show, more for substance. These differences are said to be starting to weigh on her. LBS+1
The Elijah Blue Allman Factor
Overdose & Hospitalization
Elijah was hospitalized on June 14, 2025 after being found “acting erratically” at a home in Landers, California. Deputies reportedly found drugs in the residence. He was released days later. Cher was said to be doing everything she could to help. TMZ+3People.com+3People.com+3
Conservatorship & Family Strife
In December 2023, Cher filed for a temporary conservatorship over Elijah’s finances, citing concerns about mental health and substance abuse. Elijah opposed it. In September 2024 the matter was settled privately and the court petition was dismissed. But the family tension remains. Los Angeles Times+2People.com+2
Marieangela King, Elijah’s estranged wife, has made statements in support of him—acknowledging his commitment to sobriety and that, while the challenges are real, he remains “grounded.” She also criticized assumptions that paint his struggles as defeat. People.com+2People.com+2
The Relationship Between All This and Cher’s Romance
These family crises don’t happen in isolation. Here’s how they might affect Cher & A.E.:
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Emotional bandwidth: Managing a son’s health crisis is exhausting. If A.E. is perceived to add to drama rather than ease it, that becomes a real clash.
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Public image & legacy: Cher has built a reputation as a strong, independent woman. If people believe she’s being manipulated, it could damage how she wants to be remembered.
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Will & wealth concerns: If she is actually considering changing her will or giving him financial or creative control, that tells us she’s thinking long-term. Family sees risk.
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Need for companionship vs. reality: Cher herself has said she enjoys companionship. But being 79, the gap in age, lifestyle, expectations may matter more now than in previous years. It’s possible she’s realizing what she wants is less about youthful energy and more about trust, consistency, respect.
What Those Outside the Inner Circle Think
Media and fans have been divided. Some admire Cher’s boldness: dating someone younger, giving them a chance, collaborating with them. Others warn it’s a classic scenario where power, fame, and money distort relationships. Social media has served both cheerleaders and critics.
There are also concerns about how Elijah’s public health issues reflect on her. Some people wonder if focusing on romance while her son is having crises sends a confusing message. Others say a mother can’t stop living because her children suffer.
Is the Relationship Fading?
Insiders suggest so. Phrases like “they’ve been drifting apart,” “he’s not around so much anymore,” are floating. Cher is reportedly less upset about it—like acceptance is creeping in. The idea of a “part-time boyfriend” has been used. Her focus seems turning inward: care for her health, her children, her art, perhaps less on proving anything to others. Яху+2LBS+2
What This Means for Celebrity Culture
Cher & A.E.’s situation illustrates several trends:
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Age-gap relationships are increasingly common in celeb news, but scrutiny tends to scale with power dynamics. When the older partner is very famous, questions about influence and control often follow.
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Memoir/album collaborations can become more than art—they become contracts, legacies, financial instruments. Artists are judged not just by the music, but by who gets what, who has control, who benefits.
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Mental health & substance abuse remain urgent, but public conversation about them is still clumsy. When stars and their family struggle, it’s not just private—it’s commodified, politicized, and made into content.
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Family as moral backstop: Loved ones often serve as the voice of reason in celebrity life. Whether or not their concerns are justified, their warnings carry weight with the public. Sometimes with the star, sometimes after regret.
Caveats & Open Questions
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How much of these “red flags” are real versus media spin / gossip? Sometimes insiders exaggerate or misinterpret behavior.
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What is A.E. Edwards’ side of the story? His intentions, interviews, or statements have been less public.
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How has Cher herself responded in private? Public statements exist (“Love doesn’t know math”) but what’s true behind closed doors could differ.
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Elijah’s recovery trajectory: substance abuse and mental health relapses are rarely linear. This could be a wake-up call, or another round in a long battle.
Closing
Cher has always lived at the intersection of reinvention, defiance, and motherly love. Her relationship with A.E. Edwards might be more than tabloid fodder—it could be a window into how aging, power, love, and responsibility coexist under public glare. And with Elijah’s struggles as reminder: time waits for no icon. Maybe Cher is finally seeing that real power is choosing peace over appearances. Hollywood will be watching—and so will we. 😉
Sources
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Cher and ‘Part-Time Boyfriend’ A.E. Edwards’ Romance from Yahoo Entertainment
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Cher’s Son, Elijah Blue Allman, Rushed to California Hospital as His Estranged Wife Recognizes His ‘Inner Struggles’ (People)
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Cher’s Son Elijah Blue Allman Released from the Hospital Days After Being Admitted for ‘Acting Erratically’ (People)
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Cher’s Family Has ‘Given Up’ Warning Her About Toyboy Alexander ‘A.E.’ Edwards Despite ‘Red Flags’ (RadarOnline)
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Cher’s Family React to Boyfriend A.E. Edwards’ ‘Red Flags’ (SheKnows)
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Cher’s Son Elijah Blue Allman Overdoses, Rushed to Hospital (TMZ)
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Who Is Cher’s Son Elijah Blue Allman? All About the Musician (People)
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Cher’s Son Elijah Allman Hospitalized after Erratic Behavior (Los Angeles Times)