Elton John Clarifies His Fading Eyesight Is ‘Not as Bad as It Seems’ as He Jokingly Refers to Brandi Carlile as Rihanna

Things are looking up for Elton John!

On Sunday, Jan. 5, the legendary musician, 77, presented the award for best original score – motion picture with Brandi Carlile at the 2025 Golden Globes. Ahead of bestowing the win to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Challengers, John assured fans that despite news of his declining eyesight, he was just fine — and fans can take his word for it.

“There’s been a lot of stories going on around about my regressive eyesight, and I just wanted to reassure everybody that it’s not as bad as it seems,” John said after taking the stage during the movie and TV awards show.

“So, I’m so pleased to be here with my co-host —” he jokingly added, gesturing to Carlile, “— Rihanna.”

Carlile, 43, continued the presentation, stating that a film’s score is an “emotional landscape” that forms “a conversation with the audience through the music.” The duo wrapped up their time on stage by announcing Challengers as the category winner.

The singer-songwriter lost vision in his right eye in July 2024, he said in an interview with Good Morning America. It came about after he contracted an eye infection while on a summer vacation in the south of France, he said.

“It kind of floored me, and I can’t see anything. I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything,” John said.

He also shared that his left eye is “not the greatest,” and it’s impacted his ability to read lyrics or watch shows or movies.

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