Music executive Alexander “A.E.” Edwards has publicly defended Cher against renewed criticism targeting the singer’s signature fashion — criticism suggesting a woman approaching 80 “should” dress in a more covered way.

The argument from detractors frames Cher’s continued preference for high-slit gowns, sheer pieces, and stage-ready glamour as an attempt to “hold on to youth.” Age is the basis of the critique, not the clothing itself.

Edwards — who has been directly in the spotlight because of his age difference with the star — pushed back on that premise entirely. His statement was direct: Cher’s wardrobe is her decision, and personal choice does not have an expiration date. As he put it: “Who says 79-year-olds have to wear long-sleeved shirts?” He added that his respect for her is rooted in her vitality, not her date of birth.

Cher’s wardrobe is also not a recent reinvention. For more than fifty years, from awards shows to arenas, her dramatic and revealing performance fashion has been central to her artistic persona. The idea that this era of her life should suddenly require her to retreat from that visual vocabulary is what Edwards rejects.

Their relationship — first public in 2022 — drew attention because of the age gap, not because of misconduct or impropriety. That spotlight has made Edwards a known voice in the wider cultural debate over how society treats older public figures — especially women — who refuse to shrink or mute their image.

His stance aligns with Cher’s own long record of self-determination: Cher has always worn what she wanted, performed how she wanted, and defined her own era on her own terms.