In a heartbreaking scene that has shocked fans, Elijah Blue Allman, the 48-year-old son of music icon Cher, was captured in disturbing footage outside Los Angeles’ famed Chateau Marmont hotel on May 7, 2025. The images, published exclusively by the Daily Mail, depict Allman in a disheveled state, described as “zombie-like,” with sweat-stained clothes, visible leg sores, and a vacant expression. This troubling sighting comes amid his ongoing divorce from British musician Marieangela “Queeny” King and a long history of struggles with addiction, raising fresh concerns about his well-being.
Allman, the son of Cher and the late rock legend Gregg Allman, was filmed swaying unsteadily near the hotel’s entrance, dressed in tattered green shorts and a ragged t-shirt, both appearing unwashed. The footage shows him rocking back and forth for about 40 seconds, isolated from other guests, with sores on his swollen legs adding to the alarming picture. Sources report that Allman, who has been staying at the $742-a-night celebrity hotspot, exhibited behavior reminiscent of his darkest periods of substance abuse, which have plagued him since his teens.
This is not Allman’s first troubling episode at Chateau Marmont, a hotel infamous for its history of excess, including the 1982 overdose death of actor John Belushi. In September 2023, hotel staff found Allman collapsed on the pavement, appearing “lifeless,” prompting Cher to stage an intervention. He was escorted by police to a rehab facility in Pasadena, California, after living at the hotel for six months, during which staff frequently contacted Cher due to his “drugged-out” appearance. Reports from that time described Allman smoking cigarettes that appeared “dipped in something,” often passing out on the sidewalk.
The musician’s current turmoil coincides with a contentious divorce from King, whom he married in 2013. Allman filed for divorce in 2021, but the couple attempted reconciliation in 2022, only to face further drama. King alleged in court documents that Cher hired four men to “kidnap” Allman from a New York hotel during their anniversary in November 2022, an act she claimed was meant to prevent their reconciliation. King later risked her safety to retrieve Allman from a “hellish” rehab facility in Mexico, where Cher had allegedly sent him. The couple dismissed divorce proceedings in 2024, but recent sightings suggest ongoing personal struggles.
Cher’s relationship with her son has long been strained. In 2023, she sought conservatorship over Allman, citing his inability to manage assets from his late father’s trust due to “severe mental health and substance abuse issues.” Allman opposed the move, requesting King be appointed instead, and accused Cher of being a “destructive presence” in his recovery. The legal battle ended in 2024 when Cher withdrew her bid, with sources noting a slight improvement in their relationship. However, the latest footage suggests Allman’s challenges persist.
The Chateau Marmont sightings have sparked renewed concern among fans and insiders. In August 2024, Allman was spotted at the hotel with a mystery woman, drinking and smoking while dressed in eccentric robes, raising questions about his sobriety. His history of drug use, which began at age 11 and included heroin and opiates, has led to multiple near-death experiences, as he admitted in a 2014 Entertainment Tonight interview. For now, Cher, 78, remains focused on supporting her son, though insiders say she regrets past parenting decisions, including sending Allman to boarding school at age eight. As Allman navigates his demons, the public watches with bated breath, hoping for his recovery.
