Sir Elton John has revealed to fans that he was unable to see the stage during the event held on Sunday night, December 1, 2024, at the premiere of the musical he composed the music for – The Devil Wears Prada – on the red carpet in the West End, known as London’s Broadway.
Elton John with his life partner David Furnish Shutterstock Photo
Sir Elton John confirmed he has lost his sight after speaking to guests at the Dominion Theater in London, where he attended the red carpet premiere of the musical The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical. The legendary musician made the surprising confession as he took to the stage, just weeks after revealing that an infection had left him partially blind. He said: “As some of you know, I’ve been in trouble and now I’ve lost my sight. I didn’t get to see the show, but I liked what I heard”.
Sir Elton John, 77, was helped off the stage by his husband David Furnish, 62, with the artist expressing his gratitude to him for his support since the beginning of his vision problems: “Thanks to my husband, who has been my rock, because I haven’t been able to attend many of the rehearsals… It’s hard for me to see them, but I love listening to them, and tonight it sounded great. Thank you for coming!.”
Elton John previously revealed that he lost the sight in his right eye this summer in France and can no longer see, read or watch anything because of it.
“I can’t even see a line… you start thinking about mortality too”
Also talking about the latest documentary “Never Too Late” (“It’s never too late”) to ABC News, Elton admitted that he is unsure about his ability to record a new album of music, blaming it all on his health: “It’s been a while since I’ve done anything. I just have to get up and get to work. Unfortunately, I lost the sight in my right eye in July due to an infection in the south of France. It’s been four months since I can’t see anymore, and my left eye isn’t in the best shape either. There is hope and encouragement that all will be well, but at the moment I am stuck. I can do things like that (interviews – ed.)but to go into the studio and record… I don’t know, because I can’t even see a line.”
Still, keeping his trademark positive attitude, Elton expressed his gratitude for his life, saying: “I’m so lucky, I’m the luckiest man in the world. after that, I won’t have to work anymore. I will continue to make albums and do radio shows, but the traveling is extremely tiring. I’m used to them, I’m a veteran in the field, but you also start thinking about mortality.”
“It seemed like a natural step to get involved”
musical “The Devil Wears Prada” features an original score by Sir Elton John, with lyrics by Shaina Taub and a libretto by Kate Wetherhead.
Reflecting on the choice to compose the music for this project, Elton explained to RadioTimes.com: “It was a natural decision for me, given that the film is a timeless classic and the fashion and music match so well. There were so many scenes that called for music, so it felt like a natural step to get involved. It’s great to be able to write for a musical like this because, unlike Shakespeare, it’s not serious or dramatic, it’s just a lot of fun.”
Elton added that he is very proud of the documentary, his sons and the attitude he has chosen to take despite recent difficulties: “I just feel extremely lucky and grateful.”
Between struggles with health issues and optimism in the recovery process
In addition to his current vision problems, Elton John has also faced other health difficulties, including having both knees and his right hip replaced after a fall that forced him to postpone his 2021 farewell tour.
The artist, who performed a memorable concert at Glastonbury, UK last summer (2023), first opened up about his vision problems in September. In a lengthy Instagram post, Elton explained that he had spent the last few months “recuperating at home”: “During the summer, I experienced a severe eye infection which unfortunately left me with limited vision in one eye. I am on the mend, but the process is extremely slow and it will take some time for my vision to fully return to the affected eye. I am deeply grateful amazing teams of doctors and nurses, as well as my family, who have looked after me so devotedly over the last few weeks. I spent the summer quietly recuperating at home, and I am optimistic about the progress I have made so far in the healing process.”
And at the premiere of the documentary, Sir Elton John reflected on the health problems he faced over time: “I no longer have tonsils, adenoids or appendices. I don’t have a prostate. I don’t have a right hip, left knee or right knee. In fact, the only thing left of me is my left hip. But I’m still here.”
“I want to witness our children’s weddings, but I don’t think I’ll get to live”
These statements come after Elton John, winner of the prestigious EGOT title, confessed in his documentary released last month, “Never Too Late”that is often asked “how much time is left”.
In one scene, the artist reflects on his own mortality, revealing that thoughts of life and death have become more frequent.
According to the publication The Mirrorone scene captures Elton in the make-up booth of his latest tour, contemplating personal items. He says: “I wonder what will happen to all this stuff when I’m done? This is the end of a phase in my life. I don’t know how much time I have left. At my age, such thoughts become inevitable. You think about life, death, and you come to the conclusion: “I just want to be where I really want to be now.”
He also admitted in the latest documentary that he may not see his children, Zachary, 13, and Elijah, 11, getting married: “I want to witness our children’s weddings, although I don’t think I’ll get to live these moments.”
David Furnish, Elton John’s husband, who married him in 2014, also spoke about his partner’s health: “It saddens me deeply. In my mind, somehow, I think Elton will live forever – we all do – and he’s so full of life that it’s easy to get that impression, but what happens to him makes you face the reality.”
It’s never too late
documentary “Never Too Late”available on Disney+, follows the musician on his marathon 330-concert Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour and provides a retrospective of his 55-year career.
The film explores Elton John’s rise to international fame in the 1970s, his struggle to accept his sexuality, his battles with cocaine addiction and the overwhelming emptiness felt at the height of his success.
Much of the documentary’s story is based on previously unseen audio recordings of Sir Elton’s interviews with Alexis Petridis, co-author of his 2019 autobiography.
David Furnish, who co-directed the documentary with American filmmaker RJ Cutler, emphasized the importance of including intimate moments between himself, Sir Elton and their sons: “At first, they were a little embarrassed when they saw these scenes. But then we discussed the impact this film could have.”
In the final moments of the film, Zachary and Elijah are caught hugging Sir Elton on stage at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles during his last concert in the United States.
To accompany the documentary, Sir Elton released a new track with American artist Brandi Carlile, titled “Never Too Late”.
