Elton John joins Chappell Roan for 'Pink Pony Club' duet at epic Oscars night jam session

All it takes is one midwest pop princess to turn an Oscars viewing party into a pink pony club.

Elton John learned as much firsthand, when he invited Chappell Roan to take the stage at his annual AIDS Foundation's Academy Awards viewing party. The singer delighted the crowd by singing several of her hits — including “Naked in Manhattan,” “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl,” and “Femininomenon" — in addition to  sharing the stage with John himself for a performance of "Pink Pony Club."

But before the track began, Roan, 27, took a moment to turn the spotlight over to the event's host, thanking the "Rocket Man" singer for his early support.

Related: Chappell Roan demands music labels offer artists livable wage, healthcare during Grammys acceptance speech

"Thank you so much for believing in me. You made it so I could be the artist I could be,” Roan told John, 77, according to Rolling Stone. She then placed a sparkly pink cowboy hat on the legend’s head, before launching into the song. John, who joined her onstage in a chair, stood and sang along when she came around to the chorus.

Another highlight of the evening included Roan covering John's 1970 hit "Your Song." The pair also joined forces for a duet of John's classic track, "Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me."

John later posted a snippet of the performance to Instagram. "Sharing this moment together at #EJAFOscars was nothing short of magical," he captioned the post. "For one night, we transformed West Hollywood Park into our own Pink Pony Club - a space filled with love and community, where everyone can be unapologetically themselves."

The starry Oscars gathering always includes a myriad of A-list guests and performers, with this year's attendees including Megan Thee Stallion, Hozier, Jean Smart, Sharon Stone, Zooey Deschanel, and more. Sheryl Lee Ralph and Neil Patrick Harris hosted the party, which raises funds for marginalized communities affected by HIV and AIDS.

Related: Elton John reveals vision loss in right eye is why new album hasn't been released: 'I'm kind of stuck in the moment'

Prior to the event, John teased Roan's performance by resharing a clip of his 2023 interview with her, from his Rocket Hour radio show.

"From the moment we heard [Chappell Roan] we knew she was going to be a star. She was a guest on Rocket Hour in September 2023, and seeing her rise since has been such a joy," John wrote. "Not only is she an incredible talent, but she also uses her voice and platform to stand up for her beliefs."

He continued, "We can’t wait for her to join us this Sunday at @ejaf’s Oscar Party as we come together to raise vital funds for our mission and to show the world that love will always win."

John has been beating the drum for Roan long before she exploded onto the scene, ultimately winning Best New Artist at this year's Grammy ceremony. On the heels of her meteoric rise to fame, he honored the singer as one of Entertainment Weekly's Entertainers of the Year in 2024, paying tribute to her talent and artistic vision.

Related: Chappell Roan ranks her most iconic looks of the past year

"She has a voice that doesn’t just sing but tells stories, evokes emotions, and connects with the soul," John wrote. "Her ability to blend vulnerability with empowerment in her songwriting is nothing short of extraordinary. Chappell's live performances are also a spectacle of passion and authenticity. Watching her grow and carve out her place in the industry has been a joy."

He continued, "It’s thrilling to witness the start of what promises to be a truly remarkable career. I have no doubt she will continue to inspire, challenge, and bring joy to audiences around the world."

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