Elton John, the legendary musician, has been keeping busy since his retirement from touring, embracing his family life and engaging with fans through various performances and projects. Most recently, the 77-year-old showcased his iconic vocal talents during the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade, where he performed his classic hit 'Tiny Dancer' on December 25, 2024.
The parade, which aired at 10 a.m. Eastern on ABC and 11 a.m. on Disney+, was met with widespread acclaim. Viewers were enchanted by John's performance, calling it 'truly the most magical thing I have ever seen!' and praising his enduring vocal abilities with compliments like, 'His voice stillsounds amazing! He’s truly a remarkable artist,' as reported by American Songwriter.
Elton John expressed his thrill at performing during such a joyous occasion, stating, 'It feels fantastic. My kids are gonna love it because they’re Walt Disney fanatics, as are we.' His performance marked not only a highlight of the event but also pointed to the legacy of 'Tiny Dancer,' initially released in 1971. Although the single struggled to gain traction initially, today it is celebrated as one of his most beloved songs, especially after gaining renewed popularity from its inclusion in the cult classic film Almost Famous.
When not dazzling audiences on screen, Elton focuses on his family life with husband David Furnish and their two sons, Zachary, 13, and Elijah, 11. During his appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on December 17, John opened up about the intimate family traditions they have established. He shared, 'We sang them to bed. We read them stories every night, even when they couldn’t understand what we were saying. It was a ritual we held for them.' Notably, he revealed his close relationship with pop star Lady Gaga, who also shares godparenting duties with Furnish. He affectionately remarked, 'Gaga, who’s their godmother, used to come and bathe them and sing them to bed.'
Alongside his family engagements, John has recently ventured back onto the screen with the release of his new music video for the holiday classic 'Step Into Christmas,' which originally debuted as part of his extensive catalog back in 1973. For this visual reimagination, actress Cara Delevingne portrays the young Elton John. The video features Delevingne alongside iconic footage from the original video, alongside reenactments of its production.
John described the collaboration as fulfilling, noting his admiration for Delevingne: 'When someone suggested the idea of her playing me... I just thought it was the perfect opportunity. Thank God Cara thought the same because it came out great.' Delevingne, enthused about the role and calling John her 'idol,' declared, 'Honestly, I wish I could pretend to be Elton every day.'
This new video release accompanies the debut of John's documentary on Disney+, titled Elton John: Never Too Late. This documentary delves deep not only on his musical achievements but also on his personal struggles, addiction history, and cherished family moments. Adding to his busy schedule, John also performed with Dua Lipa during CBS's primetime special earlier this month.
Though John's career continues to flourish, he has faced recent challenges. He openly discussed his battle with significant vision loss, the result of complications from an eye infection. He shared, 'It's been four months now since I haven't been able to see... my left eye’s not the greatest. There’s hope and encouragement, but I’m kind of stuck at the moment.' Despite this setback, his determination and love for music persist, and many fans hope for his swift return to the studio.
Moving forward, Elton John's blend of family, fresh collaborations, and unwavering performance spirit assure him of continuing relevance and impact within the music industry. His journeys through fatherhood, concert performance, and artistic endeavors signify not just the man behind the spectacles but also the heart he brings to all he does.
