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Chappell Roan says Elton John 'made it so I can be the artist that I am'
Elton John and Chappell Roan perform at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 2025 Academy Awards Viewing Party.
Elton John and Chappell Roan also performed "Pink Pony Club" together at Oscars after-party.
Elton John and Chappell Roan teamed up for an epic live performance following the 97th Academy Awards that took place Sunday. Together, these two queer superstars did a special rendition of Roan's "Pink Pony Club" — a song literally about embracing one's queer identity, finding chosen family, and leaving an environment (such as a hometown) that felt oppressive.
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This legendary collaboration between John and Roan took place at the 33rd Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party.
Upon joining the stage to perform next to John, Roan shared an emotional statement and thanked him.
"Thank you for believing in 'Pink Pony Club.' He played it first, y'all," Roan said.
To make matters even gayer and more fabulous, Roan also gifted John with a sparkling pink cowboy hat.
The Midwest Princess added, "I'm so grateful that you have me here, and it's such an important…" However, Roan wasn't able to finish that sentence without getting choked up.
"You're the best baby, I love you so much. Thank you so much for doing this," John encouraged her.
"You have sacrificed so much for the queer community. You made it so I can be the artist I can be," Roan continued. "Thank you so much."
Roan's "Pink Pony Club" was one of the biggest songs of 2023 and 2024 — culminating in her winning the 2025 Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
This year, the "Rocket Man" singer received his fifth Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. This new collaboration with 2023 Out100 honoree Brandi Carlile, titled "Never Too Late," was the main song for the Disney+ documentary Elton John: Never Too Late.
John previously won two Academy Awards throughout his career. His first Oscar, in 1994, was for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from The Lion King. The singer's second Oscar was for "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from Rocketman — the biopic about his life.
Elton John: Never Too Late is streaming on Disney+.
Mey Rude is a journalist and cultural critic who has been covering queer news for a decade. The transgender, Latina lesbian lives in Los Angeles with her fiancée.
Mey Rude is a journalist and cultural critic who has been covering queer news for a decade. The transgender, Latina lesbian lives in Los Angeles with her fiancée.
