Putin calls for real
Putin phones John for real and the two agree a face-to-face meeting if their schedules allow it. A Kremlin spokesperson says it took some convincing from the Russian side for John to believe it was really Putin who wanted to talk to him.
He (Elton John) was in doubt for a period of time.
Putin tells John he was aware of the prank on Elton John and asked him “not to hold grudges” against the pranksters. Spokesperson:
If their schedules match accordingly, he’s ready to meet and discuss any issue which interests [the musician].
Comedians admit prank
Two Russian comedians, “Vovan” and “Lexus,” admit that they prank called John. In the phone call the pranksters get John to talk about gay rights:
I think the violence toward LGBT people–they don’t feel safe–but this something I don’t really want to talk about over the phone.
They also arrange a November meeting date with the Russian president and agreed to attend a gay pride parade in Moscow. Kremlin spokesperson:
The president has always been open to discuss human rights issues…I would recommend to apologise (to) Elton John, he is a respected and favoured singer here. It was not good to trick him like that.
John:
Pranks are funny. Homophobia, however is never funny. I love Russia and my offer to talk to President Putin about LGBT rights still stands. I will always stand up for those that are being degraded and discriminated against. If this unfortunate incident has helped push this vital issue back into the spotlight, then I am happy to be pranked on this occasion.
Kremlin denies call
A spokesman for Putin says that the Russian President did not speak to John.
I don’t know who spoke to Elton John but President Putin did not speak to him. I don’t know [what happened] but President Putin did not speak to Elton John and most importantly we didn’t receive any proposals to meet. If the president does get such a signal from Elton John, the president has always been open to discuss any… human rights problems, any issues. He is always ready to clarify the real situation.
Says Putin called
John says that Putin called him to discuss gay rights in Russia.
Thank-you to President Vladimir Putin for reaching out and speaking via telephone with me today. I look to forward to meeting with you face-to-face to discuss LGBT equality in Russia.
Wants to meet Putin over gay rights
In an interview with the BBC while in Ukraine, John says he wants to meet Putin to discuss gay rights. Discussing how Putin has said that gays target children:
Give me a break. You are President of Russia, and you go and say stupid things like that?..I would like to meet [Putin]…It’s probably pie in the sky… He may laugh behind my back when he shuts the door, and call me an absolute idiot, but at least I can think I have the conscience to say I tried.
Boycotts Dolce and Gabbana
John boycotts Dolce and Gabbana because of their views on gay adoptions and IVF
https://instagram.com/p/0PJUURgGUI/?taken-by=eltonjohn
Praises Pope Francis
Elton John shows his support to Pope Francis in an interview with Sky News:
He’s excited me so much by his humanity and taking everything down to the humility of faith…it’s all basically about love and taking everybody in inclusiveness.
Elton John and Bernie Taupin interview
John & Taupin are interviewed by Hall on The Arsenio Hall Show. They talk about Taupin’s writing for John, what songs are their favorite and what inspires them to create songs. John:
To be honest with you, when you first write a song and you give birth to the song, that gives you chills.
