Nearly three years have passed since the beloved musician Cher and her boyfriend Alexander 'AE' Edwards began their relationship, yet some online critics remain skeptical.

The reason? Their significant age difference.

The high-profile pair first crossed paths in September 2022 during Paris Fashion Week - a glamorous event regularly attended by the 'Believe' singer.

Edwards is not only a singer but also the VP of A&R at Def Jam Records. Beyond his professional life, he is recognized for his previous relationship with reality star and model Amber Rose, with whom he shares a son.

By November of the same year, after weeks of exchanging texts, Cher and Edwards were seen together publicly, holding hands as they strolled through Los Angeles.

The couple have a 40-year age gap (Jesse Grant/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)

Unfortunately, the early stages of their much-publicized romance were somewhat overshadowed by criticism regarding their age difference, prompting mother-of-two Cher to address it.

For context, Cher is 79 years old, while Edwards is 39.

After confirming their relationship with a picture on Twitter, she retorted: "Love doesn’t know math."

Given the four-decade age difference, their relationship has been consistently scrutinized over the years.

Turning to the discussion platform Reddit to comment on news of their recent anniversary, one critic remarked: "I’m sorry but he looks like her son."

Another expressed: "40 years are 40 years, I find it odd, regardless of gender. But it’s just my opinion, and it's fine if others think differently, so it’s nothing against you."

"I find it strange because I can’t imagine having much in common with someone that much younger," another person wrote. "What do you even talk about?"

The couple's relationship has come under scrutiny (Noam Galai/Getty Images for Valentino Beauty)

"If the roles were reversed, I don’t think it would be celebrated," another claimed, while one simply wrote: "Creepy and gross."

However, most of the star's fans seem thrilled for her, believing that an age gap is irrelevant as long as both individuals are happy.

One admirer praised Cher: "She IS a rich man, look at her dating someone 40 years younger #womeninmendominatedfields."

Another observed: "She seems happy."

"She’s happy and enjoying life, and I’m sure he is too. Simple," a third concurred.

"Yeah, I agree. Is it predatory? No," another continued. "He is nearly 40. He is a grown man. She still appears sharp. So, whatever."

Fortunately, while Cher acknowledges the notable age gap, she insists it doesn't bother her.

She previously told PEOPLE Magazine about their early days: "I used to tell all my friends, 'We’re too old to date much younger men, and I will never fall in love through text.'

"So I did exactly what I said I wouldn’t!"

The chart-topping artist also shared with Extra what she finds appealing about Edwards.

Cher seemingly couldn't care less about their age gap (John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images)

"We can discuss music," Cher explained. "We can talk about everything. He has a great sense of humor and the cutest son in the world. We just click."

However, the star admitted she wishes her partner recognized some of her references.

"Sometimes I mention someone and he has no idea who I'm talking about…" she told the publication. "Recently, I asked: 'Do you know who, I don’t know, Clark Gable, [is]?' [He] replied, 'Yes, of course'.

"But for most references - He’ll look at me and say, 'I wasn’t born yet'."