Thursday, December 26, 2024

Elton John Raises $9 Mil At Oscar Party for AIDS Research, Funding, Performs for First Time Since “Retirement” (See Video)

You know that Elton John retired from touring last November. But he did not “retire” in any sense.

Last night Elton and David Furnish threw their annual Oscar gala dinner party etc and raised $9 million for AIDS research and funding.

Elton performed for the first time since his retirement, with singer-songwriter and actress Rina Sawayama. The video is below.

Tons of celebrities watched and gave standing ovations including the evening’s hosts, Eric McCormack and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, plus Big Names like Smokey Robinson, Maren Morris, Fan Bingbing, Emma Watson, Wiz Khalifa, Heidi Klum, Dove Cameron, Hilary Duff, Brooke Shields, Lucien Laviscount, Noah Schnapp, Kesha, Rege Jean-Page, Saweetie, Stella Maxwell, Tyga, Sharon Osboure, Sophia Bush, Donatella Versace, Maggie Rogers, Jenna Dewan, Julianne Hough, Karen Pittman, Simona Tabasco, Michael Imperioli.

Unlike the Vanity Fair party across town, the Elton Party means something and does an enormous amount of good for the world, and you can feel it all night. The vibe is not about self-congratulation but continuing a worldwide effort to contribute to health and well being. What a difference!

Plus, all the dinner party guests — the major donors — got a pair of exclusive “Spotlight” sunglass frame from the Elton John Eyewear collection. And then the night ended with an electric performance by Rina Sawayama, who performed “Minor Feelings,“ “Hold The Girl,” and ‘This Hell.’” And then came the duet of Chosen Family” seen below.

All hail Elton, David and EJAF!

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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