Sir Elton John made a poignant appearance at the premiere of his new musical, The Devil Wears Prada, held at London’s Dominion Theatre. The 77-year-old music icon, who composed the score for the highly anticipated stage adaptation, revealed to the audience that he had lost his eyesight due to a severe eye infection.
Speaking at the charity gala, which benefited the Elton John AIDS Foundation, John expressed his disappointment at being unable to see the performance, stating, “It’s hard for me to see it but I love to hear it and boy, it sounded good tonight”. His husband, David Furnish, assisted him throughout the evening, highlighting their close bond during this challenging time.
John’s health struggles began earlier this year when he contracted an infection while in the south of France, leading to significant vision loss. He shared that he lost sight in his right eye in July and that his left eye is also impaired. Reflecting on his condition, he admitted it has been difficult for him personally and professionally. “I can’t see anything, I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything,” he lamented during an interview. Despite these challenges, John remains hopeful about his recovery and continues to engage with music through listening rather than seeing.
The premiere of The Devil Wears Prada not only marked a significant moment for John but also celebrated the legacy of the original 2006 film and Lauren Weisberger’s bestselling novel. The musical features Vanessa Williams as the formidable editor Miranda Priestly and follows the journey of aspiring journalist Andy Sachs. The star-studded event attracted numerous celebrities, including Anna Wintour and Donatella Versace, all coming together to support John’s charitable efforts on World AIDS Day.
As Elton John navigates this difficult chapter in his life, he remains grateful for the support of his family and fans.
