Sir Elton John: It’s wrong that actors are being dropped from TV shows over sex abuse allegations
Sir Elton John has a performance of two songs before holding a press conference in New York January 24, 2018.
Sir Elton John has spoken out about the recent wave of sexual abuse allegations in an interview as he announced his retirement.
The 70-year-old music veteran made the news this week when he announced a three-year world tour, billed as his farewell tour before retiring from music.
The Rocket Man singer sat down with the media to discuss his plans for retirement, to spend more time with his children.
But when CNN asked about the #MeToo movement, Sir Elton gave a surprising answer.
Sir Elton John (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for EJAF)
He said: “We live in a funny time, a disturbing time at the moment, when people are accusing people of doing this and that… it’s all happening because of Harvey Weinstein and quite rightly so.”
The singer added: “I don’t agree with people being accused of something and not having due process. I think that’s bad.
“I think the law should, you know? People who have been accused of something shouldn’t be dropped from television series until they’re proved to be guilty. On the other hand, I can understand how women have been abused for years, since time began.”
His comments come after Netflix confirmed that actor Kevin Spacey would be written out of popular series House of Cards, after he faced a number of sex abuse allegations from men concerning his conduct on and off the set.
Sir Elton John (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)Jeffrey Tambor was also dropped from Amazon’s acclaimed transgender-themed TV show Transparent after allegations were made against him, putting the show’s future in doubt.
Sir Elton praised the #MeToo movement in general, however.
He said: “I think the great thing about women’s empowerment is the wage gap, as well – that is a big thing, and it’s happening in England a lot, people are saying, I’m only getting paid this, and he’s getting paid that.
“I think women have had it bad for a long time, and they’re trying to sort it out and make it better for themselves.”
Sir Elton’s farewell tour will be spread over three years, taking in 300 performances around the world.
Speaking at a press conference in New York he said: “I always thought I was going to be like Ray Charles, BB King – on the road forever.
“My priorities have changed. We had children and I changed our lives. That doesn’t mean to say I’m not going to be creative, but I’m not going to travel.”
Sir Elton John (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
The star denied reports that he was retiring due to ill health.
Sir Elton John (Getty)
“Last year I picked up an infection and I was very ill and it knocked me sideways,” he said.
“But I still did 96 shows. Believe me – if you ever do 300 shows, you’re not in ill health.”
The five-time Grammy winner has sold more than 300 million records during his career and is one of the most in-demand live performers on the planet.
Sir Elton John (Getty)
He indicated the decision earlier, cryptically writing online: “A wrinkle in time. Past meets present… You’ll finally see where the future lies…”
The announcement comes weeks after his beloved mother passed away following a short illness.
The I’m Still Standing singer, who has two sons with husband David Furnish, nearly died last year after contracting a bacterial infection while touring in South America.
(Getty)
The infection was described by experts as “rare” and “potentially deadly”, causing him to cancel a string of shows.
Sir Elton’s friends reportedly pleaded with him to slow down after the health scare.
“Nobody wants him to burn himself out and they hope this recent scare will encourage him to take stock.
“But he’s not even considering retirement at present.”
Last year he admitted that a change in his work was inevitable as he marked his 70th birthday.
“Obviously I work – but the work will get less and less and I’ll spend more time with my children growing up.
Elton John’s AIDS Foundation has raised more than $385 million for HIV- and AIDS-related programs (Getty)
“And that’s what I want to do, I’ll gradually phase things out in a few years.
“It’s not forever but I want to see my kids grow up. I go all over the world. I just don’t want to tour so much.”
His late mother, Sheila Farebrother died age 92 in December, just months after the mother and son ended their longstanding feud.
