14 DAY TRIAL // Singer Sir Elton John was convinced he was talking to Russian President Vladimir Putin when a call came through to inform him that he was on the other line, willing to discuss LGBT issues in the country. Instead, he was talking to 2 TV pranksters, looking to come up with a new segment for their show.
After audio of the conversation was released on television and ultimately ended up online (see the video below), the singer has issued a response: he’s not upset, if this sheds more light on the issues that are so close to his heart.
Elton John is still waiting for that Putin call
Instead of deleting the Instagram photo and post in which he publicly thanked Putin for reaching out to him, saying how thrilled he was at the prospect of meeting face to face, Elton John is addressing the viral prank in a more gracious manner.
Phone pranks are very funny, but homophobia isn’t, he says in a new post, accompanying a photo of a bloody-nosed young man staring straight into the camera.
“I love Russia and my offer to talk to President Putin about LGBT rights still stands,” the star adds. “If this unfortunate incident has helped push this vital issue back into the spotlight, then I am happy to be pranked on this occasion.”
So even if he was mocked online for falling for the prank and then taking such a long time to address the frenzy in the press, it doesn’t seem like he’s harboring any hard feelings. If anything, he’s handling all the attention with the utmost grace.
Elton John shouldn’t hold his breath for that call
While the singer’s behavior in relation to the prank call has been admirable (many other celebrities would have lost their cool and probably gone off on a massive rant on social media), he would be better off not holding his breath waiting for Putin to call him.
The Russian President is notoriously anti-gay and has taken all possible legal steps to make sure there are no advances for the LGBT community in his country, including banning “gay propaganda” and warning gays to stay out of Russia at all times.
Despite international outcry and harsh criticism from fellow politicians and countless celebrities, Putin hasn’t shown the slightest intention of changing his mind on the topic. Based on that, it’s probably safe to say it won’t happen in Sir Elton John’s lifetime. Or Putin’s.
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. @ejaf @president_vladimir_putin #lgbt #lgbtrights #ShareTheLove A photo posted by Elton John (@eltonjohn) on Sep 17, 2015 at 3:10am PDT
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. @president_vladimir_putin @ejaf #lgbt #lgbtrights #ShareTheLove A photo posted by Elton John (@eltonjohn) on Sep 14, 2015 at 8:11am PDT
