Elton John Says He's Now Lost His Eyesight

He admitted at the gala performance of 'The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical' that he couldn't actually see the stage

Photo: Stephen McGill

BY Calum SlingerlandPublished Dec 2, 2024

Elton John has revealed that a severe infection has affected his vision.

In a message shared on social media today, the retired, EGOT-winning icon explained that he has "been dealing with a severe eye infection" this summer, which has left him with "only limited vision in one eye."

UPDATE (12/2, 9:57 a.m. ET): At the opening gala performance of The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical — which John wrote the music for — in London yesterday (December 1), the singer-songwriter told the audience that he has now lost his eyesight, People reports.

"As some of you may know, I have had issues, and now I have lost my sight," he told the crowd. "I haven't been able to see the performance, but I have enjoyed it… It's hard for me to see it, but I love to hear it and it sounded good tonight." John added that husband David Furnish has been his "rock" throughout the process, and Furnish helped him down from the stage after his address.

"I am healing, but it's an extremely slow process and it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye," John wrote, sharing gratitude toward "the excellent team of doctors and nurses" and his family, "who have taken such good care of [him] over the last several weeks."

"I have been quietly spending the summer recuperating at home and am feeling positive about the progress I have made in my healing and recovery thus far," he concluded.

September will see a documentary about the artist's career, Elton John: Never Too Late, make its premiere at TIFF. This month, John will also publish a tour memoir centred around his massive Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.

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