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Last night at the glittering Attitude Awards in London, Sir Elton John lit up the room as he collected the prestigious “legacy gong,” which, in true Elton fashion, sparked a cheeky bit of controversy.
The superstar, who’s been a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights for decades, took the stage to receive the award and couldn’t resist tossing a playful jab at tech tycoon Elon Musk, calling him an “a***hole.”
Well, Elton never has been one to bite his tongue!
This remark comes just after Musk’s latest spiral of wild political and social rants, which have left many, including Elton, raising an eyebrow.
With Musk recently commenting that he’s “f**ked” if Donald Trump doesn’t win the U.S. presidential election, and his repeated tirades about the so-called “woke mind virus,” he’s clearly been pushing buttons across the board.
Elon’s bizarre outbursts have left many people – especially in the LGBTQ+ community – frustrated, particularly when he has repeatedly criticized his estranged trans daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, in public.
But as far as Elton’s acceptance speech goes, it wasn’t all shade. Before delivering that little zinger, he was handed the award by none other than Ed Sheeran, a good friend and collaborator of his.
The “legacy gong,” shaped like a striking “A,” had only ever been awarded once before – to the late Princess Diana, and received on her behalf by Prince Harry.
So, naturally, Elton took a playful poke at the mysterious letter’s symbolism, joking, “Is this it? Is this the award? What does ‘A’ stand for? A***hole comes to mind. But let’s not talk about Elon Musk tonight – let’s have a good time.”
Elton was, as always, full of love and gratitude, but not just for the award.
He took a moment to acknowledge the joy he feels in his life as a gay man, expressing heartfelt thanks to his husband, David Furnish, and their two sons, Zachary and Elijah.
Elton’s sentiment was raw and emotional, saying, “I love my husband, my children. I have benefits as a gay man I never thought I’d be able to have.”
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In classic Elton fashion, though, he kept it real, reminding everyone that the fight for equality isn’t over.
“We’ve come a long way, and we’re very lucky to live in a country that gives us the rights we have. But there are still people who don’t have those rights, and I intend to fight for those rights until the day I die.”
Elton’s words were met with resounding applause, echoing the spirit of the night, where LGBTQ+ champions were celebrated.
Other honorees included the incredible Jessica Gunning, who scooped up the Culture Award for her performance in Baby Reindeer, and Esther Ghey, who accepted the Inspiration Award on behalf of her late transgender daughter Brianna, whose tragic death brought to light ongoing violence against trans individuals.
Now, let’s be honest. Elton’s little Musk moment was a highlight, but the night belonged to something far bigger than a quip at a billionaire’s expense.
It was a celebration of how far we’ve come as a community, with Elton as a proud father, husband, and advocate, leading the charge. His fierce commitment to fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, mixed with his typical charm and sass, made it a night to remember.
So, what’s next for Sir Elton? Well, besides taking cheeky swipes at billionaires and basking in well-deserved adulation, he’s still fresh off his global farewell tour and, according to sources, recovering well from a recent severe eye infection.
But if we know Elton, he’ll continue to stand tall, strutting that fabulous path he’s been paving for decades – all while making sure the LGBTQ+ family keeps moving forward, a little sassier, and a lot stronger.
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