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In a statement to Rolling Stone, Elton said “David and I are thrilled to gather with friends and supporters once again, and we’re honoured to welcome the bold and authentic Chappell Roan as this year’s performer, whose artistry embodies the power of music to inspire change.”

John’s yearly party is in support of the Aids Foundation, raising funds for research and fighting the stigma around AIDS in the LGBTQ community. Other confirmed co-hosts for the event include Jean Smart, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burkta. Confirmed attendees also include Megan Thee Stallion, Hozier, Sharon Stone, Mick Jagger and Sean Penn.

2024 saw a meteoric rise for Chappell, from near obscurity to incredible success. The outspoken songstress has been vocal about the harsher side of fame and extreme fan behaviour, which had many fellow artists sharing their solidarity with her.

Sir Elton has said that he’s spoken to her on Facebook and offered advice on dealing with her sudden fame: “Chappell was a little overwhelmed with her sudden success — although she’d been writing for a long time, it really kind of ballooned very quickly. I just try and calm her down and say, ‘Listen, it’s fine. It’s fine. Do what you want. Don’t listen to anybody. Walk at your own speed. Do not listen to the record company saying, ‘We want another album, we want another album.’ Do it when you’re ready to do it.’”

On Sunday, Elton appeared at the Golden Globes to present the award for Best Original Score alongside Brandi Carlile, taking the opportunity to jokingly reference his recent loss of vision.

“There’s been a lot of stories going around about my regressive eyesight, I just want to reassure everyone: It’s not as bad as it seems. So, I’m so pleased to be here with my cohost, Rihanna,” he joked, while gesturing to his co-presenter Carlile.

Chappell Roan has kicked off the year to a good start, being crowned BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2025. She was picked as the winner by a panel of over 180 musicians and experts, including Sir Elton John himself.

Jack Saunders, host of Radio 1’s New Music show, sung her praises: “No one deserves this accolade more than Chappell Roan. She was the most exciting artist of the last 12 months and is now set to be the artist of the next 12 months.”

The Academy revealed the song had been revoked its position in the shortlist after failing to meet essential criteria. Academy bosses believed it sounded too similar to ‘I Got A Name’ from The Last American Hero, released in 1993. ‘Forbidden Road’ was ultimately ruled out as it incorporated material from a pre-existing song which wasn’t made for the sole use of Better Man.

400 members of the Academy’s Music Branch were notified via letter shortly after the announcement of the shortlist that Williams’ track would be removed. Instead of a replacement song being added to the shortlist, the category for ‘Best Original Song’ will feature 14 competitors (instead of 15) battling for their place in the official Oscar nominations, which are set to be announced in January.

The letter notifying the change of shortlist emphasised the decision “both honours our rules and protects the special nature of the Original Song and Score categories”.

During a time of growing popularity in celebrity biopics, Williams’ upcoming biopic sees the ‘Let Me Entertain You’ singer take centre stage as a CGI chimp. Differing from pre-existing biopics (Elton John’s Rocketman and Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody), Better Man, from Greatest Showman’s director Michael Gracey, will depict Williams’ as an uncannily cheeky chimp being thrown into fame at 16, exploring the difficulty of navigating life in the spotlight. Confronting the assumption that he felt like a ‘performing monkey’ during his time in Take That, Better Man encompasses the highs and lows of Williams’ life. From depictions of his ascendence to fame to his mental health battles, Better Man provides a semi-biographical depiction of Williams’ life through a unique perspective.

In an interview with the Guardian Williams’ revealed the reason for this unique perspective within his biopic: “Let’s face it, a Robbie Williams biopic without the monkey is way less appealing, or intriguing… It would be interesting to my fans, but not to anyone else”.

As the ‘Rock DJ’ performer has been awaiting the official release of Better Man on Boxing Day (December 26), the singer is evidently taking this latest disqualification from the Oscar’s ‘Best Original Song’ shortlist in his stride as he completes his global promotion of the biopic. Oscar nomination or not, Better Man will showcase the popstar in his most unfiltered (and somewhat cheekiest) self to viewers.