Elton John reveals his "most embarrassing" moment as he's named TIME Icon of the Year

13 December 2024, 11:13

Elton John has had plenty of ups and downs in a remarkable career.

Elton John has celebrated being named TIME magazine's Icon of the Year for 2024 by sharing one of his most embarrassing moments.

Sir Elton has had many ups and a fair few downs over the years, and in his interview with the magazine to mark his latest honour, he opened up about a particular low point.

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"It was the most embarrassing thing in my life when I went into [drug] treatment that I couldn't work a washing machine," Elton said.

"I thought, 'F**k. Here you are at 43 years of age, and you can't work a washing machine. That shows you how you're f**ked up'."

Of his past struggles with drugs and how they affected his personality, Elton said: "It's tough to tell someone that they’re being an asshole, and it's tough to hear.

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“Eventually I made the choice to admit that I’m being an asshole."

He added: "I don't really believe in the biblical God too much, but I have faith. My higher power has been looking after me all my life.

"He's got me through drugs, he's got me through depression, he's got me through loneliness, and he got me sober. He’s been there all the time, I think. I just didn't acknowledge him.”

Elton, who retired from touring last year, has revealed that he has had to put his upcoming album on hold for now while he's waiting for his sight to return following an eye infection.

Speaking about how Reginald Dwight became Elton John, he recently explained that he wasn't a fan of the "old-fashioned" Reginald and "hated" the shortened form of Reggie.

"I realised I put everything into my work and my art, my recording, and there was nothing underneath there," he said of adopting the Elton persona.

"I was just a void. I left little Reggie behind, but little Reggie was still inside of me."