A Mother's Greatest HEARTBREAK

THE PERFORMER ALLEGEDLY HIRED KIDNAPPERS IN A DESPERATE BID TO SAVE HER YOUNGEST CHILD'S LIFE

- Rick Egusquiza

Cher smiled for the cameras as she arrived at the Valentino show with her boyfriend during Paris’ recent Fashion Week. Earlier, the couple basked in the glow of the spotlights in the front row of the Balmain Spring/Summer collection showcase.

Even as she makes high-profile public appearances in preparation for the release of her upcoming Christmas album, Cher’s heart is miles away with her troubled son, Elijah Blue Allman, who is reportedly in a Pasadena, Calif., rehab dealing with substance abuse issues. In September, Elijah, a musician, was discovered lying on the sidewalk outside of Sunset Boulevard’s Chateau Marmont hotel. “At first he looked like he was dead, but he had in fact passed out,” said a witness.

Elijah, 47, has a long history of substance abuse, which Cher has been trying to help him kick. Last November, his estranged wife, Marieangela King, said that four men hired by Cher removed Elijah from their New York hotel room and brought him to a treatment facility. “Cher stepped in because that’s her son and he needed help. She’s helped him before and she’ll continue to do it if he needs it,” says a friend. “She will always put Elijah first.”