These are photos of Elton John last week performing at the Bestival in London. Elton’s always been quite the character, and he’s learned from his own mistakes as an entertainer. He tells it exactly as he sees it. Remember last year when he called out Madonna as a “nightmare” and “a f—ing fairground stripper“? Elton really doesn’t care about burning bridges or offending anyone. Other than that general bitchery, he’s also helped out fellow musicians such as Eminem and Billy Joel during their struggles with sobriety. Now he’s telling the world what he thinks of Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga. Elton is friends with both of these ladies, and they probably won’t like his words. Oh well:
On Lady Gaga: “I’d like to be able to talk to her right now, but I can’t get through to her. And there are times when you have to listen. When your persona begins to take over your music and becomes more important, you enter a dangerous place. Once you have people around you who don’t question you, you’re in a dangerous place.”
On Lindsay Lohan: “There was someone with a successful career and her parents completely f—ed her up. The dad was in jail and the mum was doing coke with her. Great!”
On Miley Cyrus: “I see a meltdown waiting to happen … And she’s so young! But she’s got two records in the top 20, so who is going to stop her?”
Elton can “spot a car crash before it happens”: “I was in my dressing room in Las Vegas when they announced that Michael Jackson was playing 50 dates at the O2. I turned to my agent and said: ‘He won’t do a single one of those.’ I could tell you he was going to die. He’d been doing drugs for so long, he’d been a mess for so long – and I’ve known Michael since he was 12 or 13 – that it was never going to happen. Everyone was saying it was going to be great and I was saying: ‘Hello? Are you looking at the real thing here?'”
You don’t know Sir Elton: “The secret of success is: don’t let everyone know everything. Keep some of it to yourself. It’s why I’m not a big fan of the internet. There should be some privacy, some mystique left. Even with me. All they talk about is the hair, the flowers. Actually, they don’t know me at all.”
[From The Australian
It sounds like Elton is miffed that Gaga won’t take his calls, right? I don’t really blame him — Gaga is godparent to Elton’s son, Zachary. He’s probably correct about Gaga being too wrapped up in her Ziggy Stardust weirdness. I do think she’ll eventually have a major freakout if ARTPOP doesn’t do well.
As for Miley? Elton’s called it there too. Neither of Miley’s parents see her barrelling towards disaster. Tish knows where the money’s coming from. Billy Ray’s too busy kissing Miley’s ass because he has experience with Miley deciding to stop talking to him. None of her handlers will tell Miley the truth either. Of course it’s sad, but pop stars are notorious for surrounding themselves with “yes people” just so they never have to hear the word “no.” I can only hope that Miley’s future meltdown will not involve hard drugs.
Photos courtesy of WENN
Yeah, Gaga is his son’s godmother–which she made a huge deal about–weird that he can’t get in touch. Maybe Perez was right…
Perez is right. Gaga is full of coke and surrounded by yes-people.
I don’t think Miley is spiraling out of control. Her every move is managed and it’s all PR. She’ll do this album and then calm down.
agreed, anki. miley works hard, shows up on time, does every interview and generally acts like a pro. haters gonna hate on the twerking and tongue wagging, but she’s doing her job, getting that press.
Yup, Miley is a consummate professional and her schtick right now is very tightly controlled and delivered. She’s well known in the industry for being on time and professional in all interviews and rehearsals, I’m not concerned about Miley.
Gaga on the other hand, is probably crying herself to sleep these days.
I so agree with him! These two will have meltdowns – hope they will be able to recover from it.
thanks Captain Obvious…water is wet
the sky is blue etc etc etc
+1
Oh, Sir Elton! Such a sassy bitch! 🙂
I don’t listen to either woman, but it seems if one were really really talented, she could just sing . . . with clothes on.
Exactly….when a singer is lacking in talent, they have to make up for it some other way. I have never once seen someone like say Kelly Clarkson try to sell her body…she has an actual valid reason to be on that stage.
Except for Christina Aguilera. She’s definitely talented, but she still wears whatever she wants to wear and has posed nude multiple times. Mariah has too, but in less overt ways. Beyoncé and Riri are not as talented as those two, but they can sing.
And let’s not even talk about all the actors and actresses.
Pish! These women are simply expressing their sexuality in a totally organic way that has absolutely nothing to do with trying to grab media attention or compensate for lack of real talent.
That Miley is following the exact same path of semi-nudity and shock tactics that Britney once walked to shed her Disney princess image is completely unrelated to them both sharing a manager…
Yes, but say what you will about Britney’s singing abilities IMO shes a damn good performer. Also, her transition came a little more steady. Even with Baby Hit Me One More Time she did that with the classic fantasy schoolgirl outfit…I’m a Slave For You, Toxic was much better “adult sexualized” pieces than what Miley is churning out.
There is absolutely nothing organic about the way a major pop star is marketed. If wearing a rutabaga on your face was what sold, that’s what they’d be doing. (Don’t steal my idea, Gaga.)
I think he’s right about Gaga and Miley. He’s seen a lot of artists (and I use this loosely with G and M) come and go, so he does know a bit of what he speaks.
Agree
Yep. He’s been there, and done everything.
Love me some Elton… I have to ask? Why would he make her a godparent to one of his boys? I think GaGa was a flash in the pan. Miley is going down! Long live the Queen! Lol 🙂
Hey if he speaks the truth not going to throw any shade at him.
Gaga is too wrapped up in her persona to be a real person.
Miley is a wreck waiting to happen. Also she is hot right at this minute but her schtick is already getting old.
Think he’s spot on about Gaga and Miley and especially about when the schtick is more important than the talent, there’s a big red light.
Also agree w/ him about privacy, not revealing everything, and thereby leaving some mystique to one’s persona. It’s called class.
Haha Elton John tracks celeb gossip. I mean, he probably gets it directly from the source, but it’s really funny anyway.
Elton, I see your remarks. And I raise you Tantrums and Tiaras.
The rest of what he said is below. He would love to see Gaga strip back her music more. It sounds like he’s not that impressed with her new music, you know, songs like Swine and her new rap song on her album, probably. LOL
“When you get famous you get complacent,” he added. “You stop listening to new things. But my album’s sound reflects the fact that all the things I love at the moment are stripped down. Lorde had a big U.S. hit with a song called ‘Royal.’ It’s just her voice and a drum machine, and it’s beautiful in its simplicity. It’s the kind of direction Gaga should be going in.”
I literally learned about Lorde this morning. That song is amazing and the simplicity of it is what makes it stay stuck in your head. Brilliant.
Tiny little detail: The girl’s only 16 and has dedicated most of her life to music. I HATE that people are comparing her to Lana Del Rey, though. Lana’s got NOTHING on her.
Love, love, love him. He may be the ultimate bitch, but he works for it, you know?
I saw him last year and it was the best concert I’ve ever attended. He played for over 3 hours straight, no diva bs, literally just giving all he had for the crowd. The up and comers could really learn a thing or two from him (lol! And get off my lawn you rotten kids! I’m so old :/ )
LOL, ditto here. Have also seen him in concert and he definitely gives the crowd his all.
Many years ago I was taken to his concert by a family member. I was so young and thought, oh, okay. I saw he was just going to be sitting at a piano and was bummed. I know. I know. I was a teenager. The concert blew me away. He didn’t need anything else. Great songs and brilliant vocals. I was mesmerized. I have always said it is one of the best concerts I have ever seen and we weren’t even in good seats.
He’s still one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to as well! He put his all into performing for the crowd that night! He’s had a very long career that he worked hard for and wrote many hit songs, so I actually think he has a right to call Miley and Gaga out – he’s not wrong in what he says either! Gaga especially. If she doesn’t get over herself soon, she’s going to destroy the rest of her career. People are tired of her antics, it’s just not cool or interesting anymore.
He and Prince are on my bucket list to see live. Can you imagine if they teamed up!! Craziest/best tour ever
I know this will sound like hyperbole, Prince’s show is a religious experience. It reminds you not only what music can do, but is SUPPOSED to do.
10,000 people singing “Little Red Corvette” in perfect unison while Prince just sat in the center of a stage playing a wistful-sounding acoustic guitar was none but an utter privilege.
I don’t think he is put off that she won’t take his calls. He has walked the walk and knows as an elder statesman of pop what can happen. I think there might be some genuine concern along with bitchiness. He was into costumes and flamboyancy, but I think he really did put his music first and the persona second.
Gaga and Miley are selling a product first, without necessarily fine-tuning the product. It’s late night ShamWow guys screaming at you with hype. Sometimes an absorbent towel is just an absorbent towel with no magic.
Hear, hear. When Elton speaks, the youngsters need to listen, but they won’t. Learning the hard way is usually the only way.
Love, love the apt Sham Wow metaphor.
Exactly. His music was never overshadowed by outfits. His musicianship and songs were always at the forefront and have stood the test of time.
I thought he meant he is trying to talk to her and get through to her with his words not literally with a phone. He said recently she stays in touch on a weekly basis.
I think that is what he was saying too. Not that he can’t get a hold of Gaga to speak to her, but that when he does speak to her, he is not getting through to her. She is not listening to what he is saying.
Good interpretation.
I have Lady Gaga songs on my iPod, I don’t hate her. But it is still churning my stomach to see a David Bowie reference used in her description. There are just some things that should remain sacred.
I know. And Bowie is a brilliant songwriter. She hasn’t proven herself at all in that regard yet. I expected more from Gaga after some of the songs on Fame/Fame Monster were so good. Applause is catchy but it’s not brilliant. After the disappointing Born This Way, it will be interesting to see if she lives up to her earlier hype as a songwriter. But Bowie she’s not.
Why must he comment about everyone? Can’t he just go about HIS business and be the bigger person and keep his trap shut?
I remember how unclassy his boyfriend was when Madonna won that golden globe over Elton and Madonna surprisingly gave a classy response and ignored the attack.
Well everyone is entitled to have an opinion, and I appreciate his point of view about a mess in the making, because he knows what means being a succesfull star having “yes men” around you.
About the Madonna feud: they’ve been hating each others for years, and I think Miss Ciccone is perfectly capable to live without Sir Elton John love.
From a gossip point of view I enjoy a good catfight 🙂
Elton in a recent interview this year apologized about his attacks on Madonna and said they ran into each other at a restaurant while she was overseas on tour and he went over to her and apologized and she accepted and they made peace.
He’s right. I especially agree with the assessment of Miley. It’s just a matter of when, not if, the meltdown crash happens.
Love Elton he tells it like it is. He should know better than anyone being in the industry for so long he’s got the experience. He can see a mess when he sees one. Or an accident waiting to happen before it happens. Long live the queen bitch watch the claws.
He’s just calling it like it is. Gaga and Miley… oh man. Both are two steps away from complete meltdowns.
I hears Gaga’s new song on the radio and it’s awful. Yawn. I used to like her before she became so enamored of herself.
Bestival isn’t in London, it’s on the Isle of Wight, just FYI 🙂
I agree with most of the above: He’s not hating on either lady, he’s just telling it like he sees it. It’s not like he has no right to do so. He knows a thing or two about the business. Besides, he’s close with both of them (or at least with GaGa), which may give him even more insight to the situation.
Elton John is also a mentor to Ed Sheeran, pulling strings so he could perform at the Grammys, so that gives me even more reason to give him big props.
Will Miley Cyrus have a breakdown? It’s very possible. I’ve always wondered how much of her behavior is just having fun, experimenting with fashion, and marketing herself as an edgy young pop star and how much of it is actually a real problem, like her not being on meds that she needs.
I predict that either one of two things will happen to this girl:
1. She’ll either have a breakdown between the ages of 21 and 25 that involves drugs or a suicide attempt, or
2. She’ll shock everybody by really toning down her image after this album and tour are over. (In other words, she’ll go from this Stripped phase to a Back to Basics sort of phase. Some kind of softer image overhaul.)
I’m hoping for the latter.
I actually believe Miley knows exactly what she is doing.
I know I’m in the minority here but I think she’s going to be okay. No Lindsay Lohan bullshit or Britney Spears illness, hoping she’ll smooth it out in the long run.
I agree with every damned thing he just said. Elton’s been around forever and has seen and done everything so I believe he can spot the signs better than anyone.
Why was he asked his opinion about all these women, and only women? Would he have criticized Justin Bieber, I wonder?
I don’t think Miley is heading for a breakdown of any sort and there’s no comparing her to Liho. Lohan has binged on plastic surgery, snorted an Everest-sized mountain of cocaine, drunk enough booze to fill Lake Geneva, crashed Porsches, stolen shit, gone to jail and gotten up close and personal with more penises than a workaholic urologist. Miley cut her hair, twerked with a fully-dressed Robin Thicke, stuck her tongue out, rode a wrecking ball naked and licked a hammer. In a music video.
In all the many, many hours I’ve spent on gossip blogs, I’ve never seen anything about her being on drugs or booze or going klepto or wrecking luxury cars or getting arrested and while there may have been a few CDAN blinds about her and Hemsworth and threesomes, it ain’t nothin’ a lot of non-famous people don’t do at her age. Yes, she’s a little famewhore, but she can also both sing and write music and has done all of the above very successfully. In fact, in our jaded post-Kardashian sextape world, props to her for managing to create such outrage over nudity without actually showing tits or ass or going full Farah Abraham!
When I was twenty years old, my first boyfriend died of a drug overdose. And I can tell you exactly how his downward spiral went.
It started with “innocent” experimentation because he was “young and trying to find himself.” And then it turned serious very fast.
Overnight, he had a drastic and sudden change in appearance and personality just like Miley’s. And then he started hanging out with only users of hard drugs and cut ties with anyone who did not “get” his new lifestyle.
When I confronted him about his drug use, he dumped me. And then, to hide the fact that he was alienating everyone in his life, he lied to his family and told them we were still together. On the day of his funeral, his family would not speak to me because I had moved on from our breakup and was then seeing someone else. They believed I was “cheating” on their son. (Anyone wonder why I am so harsh toward Miley’s treatment of Liam?)
I believe she is on drugs because I have seen all the signs and behaviors before and, without a doubt, so have many people in the industry. This does not mean I hate her or wish her ill. I hope she gets the help she needs but I do not feel optimistic about it.
First of all, she is a celebrity and an income source to the people surrounding her. They are not going to say no to her while the dollars are still rolling in.
Secondly, she is female and a young woman chopping off her hair, doing outrageous things and kicking her boyfriend out are heralded with “You go, girl” and not with “Gee, I wonder why she changed so suddenly and if something is going on in her life that needs attention.”
I love Sir Elton! But I think Miley just wants everyone to THINK she’s spiraling out of control…she’s wants so badly to be a popular girl.
Elton’s new album is streaming, The Diving Board, mostly him and his piano. I have to say it’s really growing on me. It’s a great album as a whole. By the time I got to the end of it I loved it and felt really moved. I can’t explain it, as I didn’t feel that way starting out in the beginning of the album. Bravo at his age putting out new music and going away from the pop hits he was chasing for a few years and Bernie and John putting out more emotional, intimate songs, not worrying about the commercial aspect of it. Though the production is supposed to be much sharper on the CD, not so muted as on computer speakers according to a reviewer.
There are places where his piano playing just moves me so much.
The streaming link:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1001386841
I love Elton but really, asking Lady Gaga to be a godparent to your child?? A living, breathing precious life in her hands? Not a good move.