Catching Up with Cher at Paris Fashion Week

There she was, dazzling as ever, flashing that iconic smile for the cameras as she walked into the Valentino show alongside her boyfriend during Paris Fashion Week. This legendary queen of fashion and music wasn’t just there to make headlines; she also graced the front row of Balmain's Spring/Summer collection, soaking up the spotlight alongside her partner. But let’s be real—Cher’s always been about more than just the glitz and glamour. Even with her busy schedule promoting her upcoming Christmas album, her thoughts and heart remain firmly with her son, Elijah Blue Allman, who’s currently in rehab in Pasadena, California, battling substance abuse.

Back in September, Elijah, a talented musician in his own right, was found unconscious outside the famous Chateau Marmont hotel on Sunset Boulevard. Witnesses said it looked like he might have passed away, but thankfully, he had simply passed out. It’s situations like these that keep Cher on edge, constantly worrying about her son’s well-being. And honestly, who could blame her?

Cher’s Lifelong Commitment to Elijah’s Recovery

Elijah, now 47, has faced a long and difficult journey with substance abuse, and Cher has always been there, trying her best to help him overcome it. Last November, his estranged wife, Marieangela King, shared how four men hired by Cher had intervened, removing Elijah from their New York hotel room and transporting him to a treatment facility. “Cher stepped in because that’s her son, and he needed help,” a close friend explained. “She’s helped him before, and if he needs it, she’ll continue to do so. Cher will always put Elijah first, no matter what.”

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It’s not the first time Cher has walked this road. During her four-year marriage to Elijah’s father, the legendary guitarist Gregg Allman, she witnessed the highs and lows of addiction firsthand. “Nobody ever made me feel as happy as Gregory did,” she once admitted. “He’s the kindest, most gentle, loving husband and father. But then, he forgets, and everything goes to hell.”

The Strained Relationship Between Cher and Elijah

After their divorce, Elijah opened up about feeling distant from his mother, especially when she sent him to boarding school at the tender age of seven. In a 2014 interview, he revealed, “I would come home on weekends, and me and my friends would go up to Harlem and get into all kinds of trouble. It’s actually shocking to think about myself at, like, 11 years old buying drugs in Harlem.” It’s clear that those early years left a mark on their relationship, but Cher has always tried her best to mend fences and provide support.

Cher had initially hoped that Elijah’s wife, Marieangela, would bring some stability to his life. Unfortunately, things haven’t worked out as she’d hoped. “It’s not that Cher doesn’t get along with her,” a friend clarified. “She just wants the best for her son, and from what she’s seen, they’re not good for each other. But Cher doesn’t dictate who Elijah should be with—that never works.” For now, she’s taking a cautious, wait-and-see approach, hoping for the best.

Cher wears feathered outfit with son Elijah — Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images

Despite the challenges, Elijah has shown resilience in the past. He battled Lyme disease in 2007 and has experienced periods of sobriety, giving his mother hope for the future. “She knows better than anyone that you can’t say, ‘This will be the time Elijah gets it.’ He’ll get it when he’s ready. She understands that sobriety isn’t for everyone—you can’t force someone to get clean,” a friend noted.

Hope and Resilience in the Face of Adversity

While Elijah has occasionally blamed his mother’s perceived self-absorption for his struggles, deep down, he knows Cher will always be there for him. “It’s a lifelong struggle,” the friend admitted, “but I think this crisis will bring them closer. They’re family, and that bond will always exist. Cher has hope, and she’s not giving up on her son.”

At the same time, Cher refuses to shoulder all the blame for Elijah’s issues. “Cher has blamed herself in the past; she wished she’d done things differently,” the friend revealed. “But she’s also worked through Al-Anon programs, which have helped her realize it’s not her fault. Elijah makes his own choices, and ultimately, that’s something she has to accept.”