This past weekend at the opening of The Devil Wears Prada musical on London's West End, Elton John shared something the audience never saw coming while he gave a curtain speech.
The stage was crowded with John's support team, the staff involved in the musical's production, and many other people who made the event happen.
After spending several minutes thanking the people around him, Elton John turned to his husband to thank him for all of the ways that he was involved in the musical, in their preparations for World Aids Day, and finally, for attending the previews of the show on his behalf.
The singer explained:
"I haven’t been able to come to many of the previews because, as you know, I have lost my eyesight."
"So it's hard for me to see it, but I love to hear it, and boy, it sounded good tonight!"
John previously tested positive for the pandemic virus and later had a severe eye infection. His eyesight loss directly correlates with the previous eye infection.
John later shared more about his experience.
"I am healing, but it's an extremely slow process, and it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye."
"It's been four months now since I haven't been able to see. And my left eye's not the greatest, either."
"There's hope and encouragement that it will be okay."
"We're taking initiative to try and get it better. But at the moment, that's really what we're concentrating on... it kind of floored me and I can't see anything, I can't read anything, I can't watch anything."
You can watch the video here:
@aeronjamesuk Elton John and David Furnish’s speeches during the curtain call at the gala performance for the musical The Devil Wears Prada (@The Devil Wears Prada Musical) at @Dominion Theatre in London’s West End! ❤️👠 {pr invite} #vanessawilliams #thedevilwearsprada #devilwearsprada #stagey #curtaincall #westend #londontheatre #theatre #theater #theatretiktok #theatertiktok #musicaltheatre #musicaltheater #eltonjohn #shainataub @Elton John
Fans of Elton John were sad to hear the news.
@aeronjamesuk/TikTok
@aeronjamesuk/TikTok
The singer's curtain speech was also shared on X (Twitter), where more fans chimed in about the tragic news.
it's tough to see such a legendary artist facing these difficulties, but it's heartening to know he's staying positive.
— 𒆜₮ⱧłⱠ₳₭⁰⁰⁷࿐ (@ThilakMSD07) December 2, 2024
🎭💔 **Wishing Elton a Speedy Recovery!**
So heartbreaking to hear that Elton John’s lingering eye issues prevented him from fully experiencing his own musical, *The Devil Wears Prada*, in London. 😢✨
Sending love and positive vibes to a legend who’s given us so much! 💖👓
— Qazi Azeem (@QaziazeemLMC) December 2, 2024
Hope he get well soon
— Λzhar (@The_luminous__) December 2, 2024
Mr. Elton John , Don’t let the sun go down on you. Speedy recovery.
— Sam Buca (@VattinUaglio) December 2, 2024
So sorry… you have a NEW CREATIVE DESTINY NOW💕
— Renee Strayer (@ReneeStrayer) December 2, 2024
So sad for Elton John.
— Chemist Irum 🇵🇸 (@Chem_786) December 2, 2024
I'm, slowly, losing mine. I feel for him.
— Paul Bell (@PaulOBell69) December 2, 2024
Awww.....it will get better, hang in there!
— Saro (@SethHenrySeth) December 2, 2024
While this is terrible to think about, it's encouraging to see that he's keeping his spirits high while he's healing, and that his fans are supportive of him.