The Elton John AIDS Foundation's
Virtual Oscar Party raised more than $3 million to help end the HIV
epidemic.
In an Instagram post, David Furnish,
Elton John's husband, called the fundraiser a “roaring success.”
“I am forever humbled and grateful
for the loyal support that Elton and I get from our friends, year
after year,” Furnished caption a photo of himself, John, and singer
Dua Lipa, who performed at this year's event.
“Thanks to everyone who participated
in last night's programme,” Furnish said. “You were all so
generous with your brilliant talents and your time. Together, we are
ending AIDS.”
Furnish and John were joined by out
actor Neil Patrick Harris in hosting the event.
Other guests included Lady Gaga, Dr.
Anthony Fauci, Elizabeth Hurley, Olly Alexander, and the cast of the
HBO Max AIDS drama It's a Sin.
(Related: Olly
Alexander, star of AIDS drama It's
a Sin,
gets emotional over sharp increase in HIV tests.)
The annual event was open to the public
for the first time.
John and Lipa sang a duet of John's
classic hit “Bennie and the Jets,” which first appeared on John's
1973 album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
“It was so much fun to perform with
the gorgeous Dua Lipa and open up our party to supporters all over
the world,” John said. “I’m so grateful to Neil for hosting,
everyone who attended and all my friends who participated so that we
could continue this legendary event to raise vital funds to end the
AIDS epidemic.”
According to UNAIDS, 38 million people
globally were living with HIV and 690,000 died from AIDS-related
illnesses in 2019.