Cher’s boyfriend Alexander “A.E.” Edwards is using his 5-year-old son, Slash, to drive a wedge between the “Dark Lady” singer and her own kids, sources exclusively tell In Touch.
Insiders with knowledge of the famed family’s fracas say 38-year-old A.E. is hoping he can appeal to his 78-year-old lover’s maternal instincts by using the young boy to help ingratiate himself further into her good graces — and her $360 million fortune — while simultaneously deepening her rift with sons Elijah Blue Allman and Chaz Bono.
“Alexander knows Cher has powerful connections in show business and he also knows that she has a very protective side for those she loves,” the insider claims. “He’s betting that she’ll take Slash under her wing and make sure he comes out a winner later in life.”
A.E.’s intent was on full display when an In Touch insider snapped him cozying up with Slash and the “If I Could Turn Back Time” diva at her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
At the same time, sources say the music studio exec is playing on the already troubled relationship Cher has with Elijah, her 48-year-old son with late rocker Greg Allman, and Chaz, her 55-year-old child from her marriage to the late Sonny Bono.
“Alexander probably figures the more he fans the flames of war between Cher and her own children, the more time she’ll set aside for Slash,” the source adds. “He’s that type of guy when it comes to looking out for No. 1.”
As In Touch has reported, Cher has been battling with Chaz for years, with matters becoming so grave that she was reportedly “disinvited” to his upcoming wedding to Shara Blue Mathes.
Meanwhile, sources say the “Believe” artist is also at odds with troubled Elijah Blue over her ultimately unsuccessful attempt to have him placed under a court-ordered conservatorship so she could manage his health and finances.
“Let’s face it — Cher is short two children at the moment and here comes this beautiful little boy into her life who reminds her so much of playing mother to her own two kids,” explains a source. “It’s the perfect chance for Alexander to further sink his hooks into her and to make sure Slash has every advantage in life.
“It’s a made-to-order situation and he’s not letting it slip by!”