Sir Elton John’s son Zachary guest of honour at HIV/AIDS celebrity fundraiser
Sir Elton John and David Furnish welcomed some of Hollywood’s biggest names to their 21st Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party last night – but it was the couple’s two-year-old son who stole the show at the HIV/AIDS fundraiser.
Despite meeting Bono, Zachary’s parents were quick to insist he would not be staying out too late.
“We’ll make sure they get home in time for their regular bath time, and story time with the nanny,” Furnish said.
“Then we’ll see them tomorrow morning, when we get back.”
Zachary, who was born to a surrogate mother in December 2010, was joined in the Furnish-John family by younger brother Elijah earlier this year.
The British singer and his civil partner David Furnish famously throw their Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party annually on the night of the Oscars.
Sky News reports yesterday’s bash was held at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood and attracted stars including Glee actress Jane Lynch, Heidi Klum, Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, and Jim Carrey.
Sir Elton also spoke of the importance of the event and the need to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.
Over the past two decades, the annual party has raised nearly $34m (£22.5m) for HIV and AIDS research.
“The thing is, it’s a very treatable disease now,” Sir Elton said.
“We’ve come so far medically that you can treat the disease and it’s easier than diabetes.
“It’s much simpler and people shouldn’t have that stigma, but we need to have more compassion from people for one another.
“Every family must know someone who’s had HIV and AIDs.”
