At 78 years old, legendary singer and actress Cher has found love with a man 40 years her junior. Her boyfriend, Alexander “AE” Edwards, is a 38-year-old music executive and producer who has worked with major labels like Def Jam and Sony Music.
The two were first linked in 2022 when they were spotted holding hands during a date night in Los Angeles. Shortly after, Cher confirmed their relationship by sharing a photo of Edwards on social media, writing his name with a heart emoji. Despite the significant age gap, Cher has defended their romance, famously tweeting that “love doesn’t know math.”
Cher’s history with younger men
This isn’t the first time Cher has dated someone significantly younger. She rose to fame alongside her first husband, Sonny Bono, who was 11 years her senior. Cher also reveals in her new memoir that she had a brief romance with Warren Beatty when she was just 15 and he was 25.
“When I was younger, boys my age did not like me,” Cher told The New York Times. “And then when I got older, I didn’t like men my age.” She said she hit it off with Edwards after complimenting his diamond grills.
Edwards’ background
Edwards has worked in the music industry for years, previously serving as the Vice President of A&R at Def Jam Records. He has also co-founded the Last Kings Group, which includes a record label, and has worked closely with rapper Tyga. In addition to his executive roles, Edwards is a producer and songwriter, and he even co-produced a song for Cher’s 2023 holiday album.
Prior to his relationship with Cher, Edwards dated model Amber Rose and they have a 5-year-old son named Slash. However, the couple split in 2021 after Rose accused Edwards of infidelity.
“I love her, though. That’s, like, my best friend, the mother of my son,” Edwards said of Rose during an Instagram Live interview. “But… I like women. It’s just who I am, and it’s not how she wants to be loved.”
A supportive boyfriend
Despite the controversy surrounding their age gap, Cher and Edwards seem to have a strong connection. The couple has not shied away from the spotlight, attending high-profile events together like Cher’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
“What I learned is that it’s never too late,” Cher told People magazine about her relationship with Edwards. “If you wrote out all the statistics, you would go, ‘Well, this is doomed.’ But we’ve been together a year, and if it was just a year, it would’ve been worth it. I’ve had the best time. He’s special. No matter what happens, I love being with him. He makes me laugh, and we have fun.”
Cher has also included a subtle nod to Edwards’ son Slash in her new memoir, describing the aftermath of “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour” becoming a hit in the 1970s. The passage is accompanied by a footnote that reads, “‘4k’ provided by Slash Electric Alexander Edwards.”
Looking to the future
While Edwards may not have reached the living legend status of Cher, he’s been plenty busy behind the scenes in the music industry. In addition to his work with Def Jam and Last Kings Records, he’s also interested in pursuing acting.
“I want to play roles that I may not have an understanding of, being that I may not have experienced those things that the character has been through/going through, but still knowing they are things everyday people go through,” Edwards told Stoned Fox. “I want people to not take life so seriously but to seriously love life.”
As for Cher, she seems to have found a new lease on love with her younger beau. “If it was just a year, it would’ve been worth it,” she said. “I’ve had the best time. He’s special. No matter what happens, I love being with him. He makes me laugh, and we have fun.”