Sir Elton John Unable to Watch Musical Due to Losing Eyesight
In a heartbreaking revelation, Sir Elton John disclosed that he has been unable to watch the musical he wrote the lyrics for due to losing his eyesight.
Speaking at the gala performance of The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical, he shared, “I have lost my sight and I haven’t been able to see the performance but I have enjoyed listening to it.”
The star-studded event, which took place in London’s West End, hosted a charity gala for the Elton John AIDS Foundation on Sunday evening.
Famous faces like Anna Wintour, Lily Collins, and Donatella Versace were among the attendees.
The 77-year-old pop star has been battling with his eyesight since contracting an infection in his right eye in July.
While the exact nature of his condition remains unclear, Sir Elton revealed in an interview with ABC News’ Good Morning America in November that the infection occurred in the south of France.
“It’s been four months now since I haven’t been able to see, and my left eye is not the greatest,” he shared at the time.
On the red carpet, Wintour expressed her excitement to support Elton and described the musical as “entertaining”.
When asked if the film and musical accurately portray the fashion industry, Vogue’s editor-in-chief responded, “It’s for audiences to decide.”
She added, “It’s for the audience and for the people I work with to decide if there are any similarities between me and Miranda Priestly.”
Rumors have long circulated that the character of Priestly was loosely based on Wintour.
The Devil Wears Prada follows the journey of an ambitious young journalist, Andy, who becomes the assistant to the infamous fashion magazine editor, Miranda Priestly.
American fashion designer Betsey Johnson expressed her admiration for the show, stating that “everyone in the fashion industry loves it.”
The 82-year-old designer shared that she was fortunate to navigate the industry without having to conform to certain expectations.
“When I saw the film for the first time, I thought thank god I missed all that stuff because I would not want to have gone through all that,” Johnson remarked.
The production features Vanessa Williams, a renowned American singer and actress, in the iconic role of the feared fashion magazine editor Miranda.
TV personality Michelle Visage praised Williams, known for her roles in Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives, as the perfect choice to portray Priestly.
Visage also touched on the progress being made in the fashion industry, expressing hope for continued inclusivity and advancement.
“I can’t believe in the film that Andy was called fat when she was a size six,” Visage remarked. “I would hope things have changed – we have seen some more inclusion and I hope we always hope to progress.” — BBC
