Elton John officially reaches EGOT status
The legendary artist becomes the 19th member of the EGOT club after nabbing an Emmy for his special, Farewell From Dodger Stadium
Honestly, it’s almost more surprising that Elton John wasn’t already an EGOT winner than the fact that he became one tonight. With his Primetime Emmy award for Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium (in the “Outstanding Variety Special (Live)” category), the “I’m Still Standing” singer officially joined the exclusive club, becoming only the 19th person to do so.
John wasn’t able to attend the broadcast because he was recovering from a knee operation, so special producer Ben Winston accepted the award on his behalf. “We knew this show would be historic because it was Elton’s last ever show in North America on tour, we knew it’d be historic because it was Disney’s first ever live stream, we didn’t know it was going to be historic because it was going to win a man, who has created the soundtrack to all of our lives, who has done so much great for society, who is all of our heroes, we didn’t know it was going to win him an EGOT,” said Winston.
The special, which streamed in November 2022 on Disney Plus, captured John’s last ever show in North America. It capped off the legendary artist’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, which started all the way back in 2018.
“I am incredibly humbled to be joining the unbelievably talented group of EGOT winners tonight,” John said in a statement following his televised win (via Rolling Stone). “The journey to this moment has been filled with passion, dedication, and the unwavering support of my fans all around the world.”
“Tonight is a testament to the power of the arts and the joy that it brings to all our lives,” he added. “Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my career, I am incredibly grateful.”
John is the first openly gay person to be inducted into the EGOT club, and the first performer since Viola Davis attained EGOT status last year. John has won five Grammys, an Oscar in 1994 for “Can You Feel The Love Tonight,” and a Tony in 2000 for his Aida score.
Before John landed his EGOT, the term itself was a topic of conversation on the broadcast when host Anthony Anderson noted that Miami Vice’s Philip Michael Thomas coined the term EGOT, even though he never won one himself. And in a cute SNL-style Weekend Update intro, Amy Poehler said of John’s nomination, “Now, I can’t speak for Elton, but he’s EGOT to be excited about it.”