Elton John may be struggling with his eyesight, but he’s still got jokes.
“I don’t know if you know, but there’s been a lot of stories going on around about my recursive eyesight,” John, 77, said when taking the 2025 Golden Globes stage on Sunday, January 5. “I just wanted to reassure everybody that it’s not as bad as it seems.”
The legendary singer took the stage alongside Brandi Carlile to present the award for Best Original Score, Motion Picture. (Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross took home the win for Challengers.)
“I’m so pleased to be here with my cohost, Rihanna,” John continued, motioning toward Carlile, 43, who held back laughter before presenting the award.
Elton John has battled several health issues throughout his legendary music career, from addiction struggles to a secret cancer battle. “I am a survivor. I’ve survived a lot of things,” he told Variety in a March 2019 interview. “Life is full of pitfalls, even when you’re sober. I can deal with them now because I […]
John first revealed his health issue in a September 2024 Instagram statement. He offered more details during a November 2024 interview with Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, explaining that he had lost sight in his right eye following an illness.
Brandi Carlile and Elton John at the 2025 Golden Globes Francis Specker/CBS
“I had an infection in the South of France. It’s been four months now since I haven’t been able to see, and my left eye’s not the greatest,” the musician said, noting that there’s “hope and encouragement” he will eventually be able to see.
“I’m kind of stuck in the moment,” John explained, admitting he’s unsure whether recording music is possible at the moment.
Elton John, while standing next to Brandi Carlile, reassured everyone that his health issues with his eyes aren’t as bad as everyone thinks:
“I’m so pleased to be here with my co-host, Rihanna.”#GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/o16MAflMRw
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) January 6, 2025
“I can’t see a lyric, for start. We’re taking an initiative to try and get it better, but at the moment, that’s really what we’re concentrating on,” he continued. “It’s never fortunate for anything like this to happen. It kinda floored me, and I can’t see anything. I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything.”
John also spoke candidly about his eyesight last month when addressing the crowd at the opening of The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical in London. It was reported at the time that John was assisted getting off stage by husband David Furnish. (John provided the music for the new stage show.)
“As some of you may know I have had issues and now I have lost my sight. I haven’t been able to see the performance but I have enjoyed it,” he said when taking the stage, according to the Daily Mail. “To my husband who’s been my rock because I haven’t been able to come to many of the previews … it’s hard for me to see it, but I love to hear it and it sounded good tonight. Thank you for coming.”