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Cher is reportedly leaning on son Chaz Bono as her family continues to grapple with Elijah Blue Allman‘s ongoing mental health struggles.
A source exclusively tells National Enquirer that Chaz, 57, has made it his mission to shield the music icon from even more heartache while Allman, 50, remains hospitalized in a psychiatric facility.
“Of course Chaz is upset about the way Elijah’s life has turned out – it’s very sad – but protecting Cher is the first priority,” the source says. “Fact is, this whole situation with Elijah is tearing her apart. No matter what she does to try and help him, he refuses, and even worse, he treats her like the enemy.”
The source says that the “If I Could Turn Back Time” singer, 80, is incredibly worried about what the future may hold for Allman once he’s released.
“Nobody knows what sort of frame of mind he’ll be in when he eventually gets out, but it is very clear he’s going to need a long period of readjustment before he’s thinking clearly again,” the source adds. “There’s a lot of nervousness about what happens next.”
According to the source, Chaz is hoping to act as a mediator between his brother and Cher.
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“Chaz has vowed to be the conduit between Elijah and Cher going forward because the last thing he wants is for her to be dealing with more grief,” the source continues. “Chaz cares about his brother and wants to see him get better but his biggest concern is his mother’s well-being.”
The source also says that at her age, Cher’s “nerves simply can’t take this level of stress anymore.”
“It’s taking a huge toll on her,” the source concludes, “and Chaz is ready to do whatever he can to protect her.”
The latest family turmoil comes after years of public struggles between Cher and Allman. The Mermaids actress previously requested a conservatorship over Allman’s estate, citing concerns about his legal issues, financial instability and substance abuse.
While a judge denied Cher’s request for a temporary conservatorship, the two continued their legal battle over control of his finances.
Cher has also weathered the shocking news of learning that Allman had secretly fathered a daughter. The Daily Enquirer exclusively reported that Cher didn’t learn about her granddaughter until 2021, and a source told the publication that Allman had purposely chosen to keep his mom in the dark about his now-teenage daughter because of his strained relationship with Cher.