The Oscars may be Hollywood’s biggest night, but let’s be real—the afterparties are where the magic happens. While the stars were busy clutching their golden statuettes, the real show was going down at the 33rd Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards viewing party in West Hollywood. And who stole the spotlight? None other than Chappell Roan, the 26-year-old breakout star known as the Midwest Princess, who delivered a jaw-dropping 45-minute set that ended with a surprise duet with Sir Elton John himself. Move over, Oscars—this was the night of the Pink Pony Club.
Elton John’s Star-Studded Soiree: A Night of Glitz, Glam, and Go-Go Dreams
Hosted by Elton John and David Furnish, with co-hosts Jean Smart, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Neil Patrick Harris, and David Burtka, this year’s fundraiser was a who’s who of Hollywood royalty. But the real queen of the night was Chappell Roan, who took the stage after the Oscars broadcast wrapped, turning the tent into a full-blown dance party. Sponsored by e.l.f. Beauty, the afterparty was electric—literally and figuratively.
Elton John himself introduced Roan, gushing about her talent and confessing he “just freaked out” when he first heard her music.
“I immediately wanted to get her on the program,” he told the crowd. “I fell in love with her and I fell in love with the album.”
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Chappell Roan Brings the Heat
Roan kicked off her set with “Femininomenon,” immediately commanding the room with her signature blend of wit and powerhouse vocals. “Can you believe it? We’re in a dog park by the Abbey!” she joked, referencing the iconic West Hollywood gay bar next door. For Roan, the Abbey holds a special place in her heart—and her music.
“I went to the Abbey when I was 21,” she shared. “It was like church, it was spiritual. I saw all these really hot people making out, and there was steam coming from the ceiling when the beat dropped. I thought to myself, this is actually heaven.”
Her setlist was a rollercoaster of emotions and bops, from “Naked in Manhattan” to “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl.” But the real tearjerker came when she dedicated a cover of Elton John’s “Your Song” to her parents, who were in the audience.
“I would not even be here were it not for them,” she said, before adding with a laugh, “Girl, it’s kind of scary singing it in front of the person who wrote it.”
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Roan’s Comedic Genius Shines
Roan isn’t just a musical powerhouse—she’s a comedian in disguise. Before launching into “My Kink Is Karma,” she quipped,
“This one’s for all the future ex-husbands in this room, because as soon as I walked out on stage, your wives said, ‘Wait a second, maybe I like girls.’”
Her energy was infectious, and the crowd ate it up. During “HOT TO GO!,” she led a call-and-response with the audience, shouting, “It’s hot in here, are you hot?” before dropping the mic-worthy line: “Imagine being me.”
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The Duet Heard ‘Round the World: “Pink Pony Club” Meets Elton John
The pièce de résistance of the night came when Elton John joined Roan on stage for a duet of her hit “Pink Pony Club.” Roan, ever the gracious performer, handed Elton a pink cowboy hat to wear as he sat front-and-center.
“I would just like to say thank you, Elton, for believing in ‘Pink Pony Club,’” she said. “He played it first, y’all!”
The two also teamed up for a heartfelt rendition of Elton’s classic “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me,” proving that music truly knows no generational bounds.
Elton John joins Chappell Roan on the stage to perform ‘Pink Pony Club’ at his AIDS Foundation #Oscars after party pic.twitter.com/hZucbxCXgP
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 3, 2025
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Roan’s Grammy Speech Echoes at the Oscars
Roan’s appearance at the Oscars afterparty comes fresh off her Grammy win for Best New Artist, where she used her acceptance speech to call out record labels for their treatment of developing artists.
“I would demand that labels and the industry profiting millions of dollars off of artists would offer a livable wage and health care,” she declared.
Her words resonated deeply, especially as she closed out her set by thanking Elton John for his advocacy.
“You have sacrificed so much for the queer community,” she said, “and you made it so I could be the artist I can be.”
Elton’s response? “You’re the best, baby. I love you so much.”
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Chappell Roan Is the Star We All Needed
From her hilarious banter to her powerhouse vocals and unwavering advocacy, Chappell Roan proved once again why she’s one of the most exciting artists of her generation. And with Elton John in her corner, the sky’s the limit for this Midwest Princess. As for the rest of us? We’re just lucky to be along for the ride.
So, Oscars, take note: next year, let’s just skip to the afterparty. Because if Chappell Roan and Elton John are there, you know it’s going to be a night to remember.
