ELTON JOHN DID IT!

On Monday, Elton John achieved a remarkable milestone in the entertainment industry by attaining EGOT status, having won an award at the 2024 Emmy Awards ceremony. The 76-year-old music legend secured the honor in the Outstanding Variety Special category for his highly praised production, Farewell From Dodger Stadium. Despite this significant achievement, Elton couldn’t personally attend the ceremony in Los Angeles to accept the award due to his recent knee surgery.

The recent Emmys showcased notable victories for British actors, with Succession’s Matthew Macfadyen standing out by winning the Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the acclaimed HBO show, which concluded its fourth and final season last year. The prestigious EGOT status, representing achievements in television, music, film, and theatre, comprises the Emmy, the Grammy, the Oscar, and the Tony, respectively.

What Went Down

Elton John secured his place as the 19th individual to achieve EGOT status by winning awards in all four competitive categories, with six others obtaining EGOT through honorary awards. As he couldn’t attend the Emmys in person, the acceptance speech for his Outstanding Variety Special win at the 2024 Emmy Awards for “Farewell From Dodger Stadium” was delivered by the special’s executive producer, Ben Winston.

Winston, recognizing the historic moment of Elton’s last North American show, expressed surprise at the additional historic feat of winning an EGOT for someone who has significantly contributed to the soundtrack of people’s lives and society at large. Elton’s absence was represented by his husband, David Furnish, who proudly accepted the Emmys on Elton’s behalf in the winners’ room.

Furnish, a filmmaker married to Elton since 2014 (after establishing a domestic partnership in 2005), beamed with pride while holding two Emmys from the Dodger Stadium special. Elton’s Dodger Stadium performance marked the conclusion of the North American leg of his farewell tour, grossing nearly a billion dollars according to Billboard. (https://www.topskitchen.com)

In an Instagram post, Elton expressed being ‘on cloud nine’ after the win, acknowledging the recognition as a testament to the dedication of everyone involved. He regretted his inability to attend due to a recent knee operation, humorously attributing it to a ‘lifetime spent jumping off pianos,’ illustrated with an old performance photo. Elton extended heartfelt thanks to the Academy and voters, emphasizing the collective effort and creativity of his team. His gratitude also extended to the band members who contributed to his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.

In expressing gratitude, Elton John conveyed appreciation for the unwavering dedication and talent of his team, acknowledging that they have consistently been the driving force behind keeping their incredible fans entertained night after night.