At a glitzy fundraiser in West Hollywood, pop superstar Chappell Roan gave a 45‐minute concert that left the room buzzing. At the 33rd Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards viewing party, which was co-hosted by Elton John, David Furnish, Jean Smart, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Neil Patrick Harris, and David Burtka, the 26-year-old breakout star, dubbed the Midwest Princess, was the main attraction.
Following the conclusion of the main Oscars viewing party, Roan, whose popular song "Pink Pony Club" has propelled her to stardom, joined the stage. She united art and life in a full-circle moment throughout the performance, enthralling a crowd that included many of her peers and industry icons.
Elton John, who welcomed her to a full tent in West Hollywood Park, couldn't contain his enthusiasm. He described how he "just freaked out" when he heard her music and that he wanted her on his show right away. "I interviewed her and fell in love with her and her album, and I immediately wanted to get her on the program," he said with sincere affection.
Roan instantly established a bright tone by opening her act with the upbeat song "Femininomenon." She gave the audience frank, funny asides in between songs like "Naked in Manhattan" and "Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl." She once commented on the electrifying atmosphere at the Abbey, a popular local hangout, calling her first visit a spiritual, almost heavenly experience full of go-go dancers, pounding beats, and an overwhelming sense of love.
Roan took a moment mid-set to dedicate a song that holds special meaning for her. After dedicating the performance to her parents, who had first introduced her to Elton John, she declared, "I'm going to sing one of my favorite songs of all time." She performed a cover of "Your Song" with genuine emotion; her parents' presence added to the poignancy of the event.
High-energy songs like "Casual" and "HOT TO GO!" continued the program, and she kept the audience interested with lighthearted call-and-response exercises. She sparked laughs and applause when she dedicated "My Kink Is Karma" to "all the future ex-husbands" in the room, showcasing her humorous flare.
Roan sang a duet with Elton John in a stunning finale that crossed decades. Before giving the audience a special performance of "Pink Pony Club," the duo played a passionate version of his popular song, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me." Roan gave Elton a heartfelt thank you and acknowledged that he had supported her breakout song.
This concert comes after Roan's historic Best New Artist Grammy Award victory. Her enthusiasm for equity in the industry was evident on stage when she urged record labels to provide up-and-coming musicians a living wage and health benefits. Her stirring speech, which emphasized the value of assisting the creative community, reverberated throughout the evening.