ENTERTAINMENTElton John's Oscars Pre-Party Goes Virtual — And You Can Attend To See 'Stripped-Back' Performance By Dua Lipa
Legendary singer Elton John’s annual Oscars pre-party on April 25, benefitting the Elton John AIDS Foundation, is going virtual this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Neil Patrick Harris has been tapped to cohost the event alongside John and his husband, David Furnish.
“This year, we are bringing our Oscar Party into people’s homes for the first time virtually for an unforgettable evening with David [Furnish], myself, our dear friend Neil Patrick Harris and the incredible Dua Lipa plus many fabulous surprise names,” John said in a statement.
The “I’m Still Standing” crooner added: “Now more than ever, we need to ensure that one pandemic does not override another, and we cannot forget the 38 million people living with HIV globally who need our care, love and support, so we hope everyone joins us for this special one of a kind Oscar Pre-Party.”
Harris noted that “coming off the back of working on It’s a Sin about the AIDS epidemic in the 80s,” referring to the hit HBO limited series out now, “this cause resonates more deeply with me than ever." He added, "The tireless work done by the Foundation to help end the AIDS epidemic is incredibly inspiring, and I'm proud to have a small part in the effort to continue raising awareness for the movement."
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Pop princess Dua Lipa will deliver a “stripped-back performance,” during the soirée, according to the press release. Additional performers and/or guests will be announced at a later date.
“It’s such an honor to be a part of one of the most iconic Oscar Parties and I’m really proud to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation to help tackle the stigma that exists around HIV as we need to build a kinder and more accepting world together,” Lipa said. “And to share the stage with Elton John will be a dream come true!”
Tickets are on sale now for the virtual event, and up to 100,000 people will be able to attend in each of the different regions around the globe the special will air. The pre-party special will be hosted four times to meet the different time zones of a region’s broadcast of the Oscars: 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET on April 25 in the U.S.; 7 p.m. GMT on April 26 in the U.K.; 7 p.m. AEST on April 26 in Australia and New Zealand; and an optional repeat at 7 p.m. PT on April 26 in the U.S.
The Academy Awards viewing party has raised millions for HIV/AIDS research since its inception in 1992. Visit the Elton John AIDS Foundation website for more information.
