Elton John says he’s dealing with loss of eyesight
Elton John, the iconic music superstar, recently revealed that he has been struggling with his eyesight after contracting an infection. This unfortunate development has made it challenging for him to watch his new musical, The Devil Wears Prada, which he attended the opening night of in London on Sunday.
During the event, John shared with the audience, “I haven’t been able to come to many of the previews because, as you know, I have lost my eyesight.” Despite this setback, he expressed his love for the music in the production, stating, “So it’s hard for me to see it, but I love to hear it and, boy, it sounded good tonight.”
Back in September, the 77-year-old musician disclosed that the infection had left him with only limited vision in one eye. He acknowledged that the healing process has been slow and that it will take some time before his sight fully returns to the impacted eye.
John not only attended the opening night of the musical but also wrote the score for the stage adaptation of the popular 2006 movie. The storyline follows a young journalist navigating the glamorous yet challenging world of a glossy fashion magazine.
During his speech, John expressed gratitude towards his husband, David Furnish, for being his rock through this difficult time. The couple shares two sons, Zachary and Elijah.
Despite his health struggles, this year has been filled with achievements for John. He received the prestigious Gershwin Prize for Popular Song alongside his longtime songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin. In addition, he won an Emmy in September for Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium, completing his EGOT status – winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award.
Moreover, John was in Toronto for the premiere of the documentary Elton John: Never Too Late, which reflects on his illustrious career marked by numerous hits like Your Song, Daniel, and Rocket Man. The documentary also delves into his personal struggles with addiction and the media spotlight.
Despite his condition hindering his ability to work on a new album in the studio, John remains hopeful for the future. The production at London’s Dominion Theatre, starring Vanessa Williams as Miranda Priestly, was a star-studded gala fundraiser for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Celebrities and fashion industry figures, including Donatella Versace and Anna Wintour, attended the event, with Wintour describing the musical as “entertaining.”
Elton John’s resilience and unwavering passion for music continue to inspire fans worldwide, despite the challenges he faces with his eyesight.
