Elton John opens up about struggles with vision loss in watching his musical

Elton John recently shared at a gala performance of his new musical, The Devil Wears Prada, that he is unfortunately unable to see the show due to ongoing issues with his eyesight. Despite his physical limitations, the 77-year-old singer expressed gratitude to his husband, David Furnish, for his unwavering support. John 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.”

In September, John disclosed that a severe eye infection he contracted in July has left him blind in his right eye and with limited vision in his left. He emphasized that his recovery is a slow process, and it will take time before his sight fully returns. He thanked his medical team and family for their care during this challenging time.

During a recent interview on Good Morning America, John shared that his eyesight issues are also affecting his ability to work on his next album with Bernie Taupin. He expressed hope for improvement but acknowledged the difficulties he faces in the studio without clear vision.

Despite facing these challenges, The Devil Wears Prada has successfully opened in London’s West End, with a gala performance on Sunday night dedicated to raising funds for the Elton John Aids Foundation. The musical, based on the novel by Lauren Weisberger, follows the story of Andy, a journalist who becomes the assistant to the formidable fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly, played by Vanessa Williams.

The star-studded event was attended by notable figures from the fashion industry, including Anna Wintour, who has been speculated to have inspired the character of Priestly. When asked about the similarities between herself and the character, Wintour left it up to the audience and her colleagues to decide.

Despite John’s inability to physically see the success of his musical, his influence and talent continue to shine through in the production, resonating with audiences worldwide.