“It’s a pain,” Elton John quipped to host Neil Patrick Harris during the early moments of the music legend’s first-ever virtual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party on Sunday night. John was describing how it felt to pivot the 29th annual affair from an in-person, glamour-drenched fundraiser to a streaming event due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It’s become an all too familiar sentiment over the past 13 months and one shared by many event producers but still, John was quick to walk back the comment and clarify.

“It’s not a pain. I wish we could be there. It’s more fun to be there,” he said in reference to typical plans that would’ve found him at center stage inside a custom structure built on West Hollywood Park grounds. “This is the only way we could do it.”

And how they did it was by partnering with sponsors Cisco Webex and Parx Casino along with Fulwell 73 to produce a 60-minute pre-show special that was co-hosted by John, partner David Furnish and the couple’s close friend Neil Patrick Harris, a one-time Oscar host. They drafted global pop superstar Dua Lipa to perform a set from her smash Future Nostalgia album and lined up a slew of special guests including Lady Gaga (who talked mental health), Cynthia Erivo, Dr. Anthony Fauci, comedian David Walliams, Elizabeth Hurley and the cast of It’s a Sin including Olly Alexander, Nathaniel Curtis, Omari Douglas, Callum Scott Howells and Lydia West.

…with appearances by Cynthia Erivo (in glittery flamingo dress that rivals Bjork’s swan dress) and Lady Gaga who talked importance of mental health in battle against HIV/AIDS. “The reality is that we won’t end the AIDS crisis unless we care for both mental and physical health.” pic.twitter.com/v2kvlx6GRI

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) April 26, 2021

The bulk of the production was filmed at Rosewood London and for the first time in the event’s history, the general public could check out the action by purchasing tickets via Ticketmaster with four options for various time zones including North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Gilead Sciences, Robert Kraft, Judy and Leonard Lauder served as co-sponsors with Bob and Tamar Manoukian, Brett A. Pletcher and Aruna Ravichandran serving as event chairs. Charles de Cazanove provided the bubbly as champagne partner.

“Obviously, things are a little different this year,” Harris said in his opening bit. “But it won’t stop us from having an awesome time together.”

That awesome time saw Harris giving it his all by introducing various presenters and pieces of content, trumpeting the cause of raising money for EJAF and interviewing John and Furnish. “Did you ever imagine that you would be virtual hosts?” Harris asked the pair, a question fielded by Furnish. “It’s amazing during the pandemic how, with the miracle of modern technology, we’ve been able to stay connected.”

The couple then shared their favorites heading into the big show. Furnish said he was a big fan of Promising Young Woman and its leading lady Carey Mulligan, while John put Minari atop his list. “It was uplifting and a great story,” he said, adding that he loved Judas and the Black Messiah and One Night in Miami. “We’ve watched all of them,” he said of this year’s crop. “Heavy going and some brilliantly-made films.”

Harris then allowed John to have the honors of introducing Dua Lipa and he did so by praising her as “the biggest artist in the world right now.” Looking ready for the Oscars in a glamorous black gown and white diamonds, the Grammy winner performed “Levitating,” “Pretty Please,” “Hallucinate” and “Don’t Start Now.” She changed ensembles (adding Chopard earrings) to join John later in the show for a his and hers duet: his classic “Bennie and the Jets” and hers with “Love Again.” When it was over, Dua Lipa said it was a “dream and an honor” to perform opposite John.

“What a dream, what an honor,” says Dua Lipa after dueting with Elton John during his #EJAFOscars 60-minute pre-show virtual party on “Benny and the Jets” and her track “Love Again.” pic.twitter.com/s9yX3Cm7eH

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) April 26, 2021

Shortly thereafter, the Oscar telecast began and the event pivoted again to become an official watch party. During the commercial breaks, Will & Grace favorite Eric McCormack (a longtime friend of John and Furnish and a regular Oscar party attendee) relieved Harris to fill in as co-host. John and Furnish also filled the airtime by offering their reactions to the show, including the winners and the setting — not all of it positive.

“The Oscar ceremony looks like it’s coming from a Starbucks somewhere,” John said during the first commercial break of the Union Station location. Later, he added, “I still can’t get over the set, though.” He seemed much more pleased with the winners, calling best supporting acting winner Daniel Kaluuya “a lovely man.” “He was brilliant in Get Out.”

Audio glitches proved to be the only mishap of the virtual production with McCormack’s feed going out at times. “It’s our first virtual Oscars,” John said. “We were bound to get a glitch somewhere.” They eventually sorted it out and McCormack continued broadcasting from the backyard of his home where he welcomed country singer MacKenzie Porter and her husband who performed a country hit. Later, McCormack had the honor of breaking the news about the fundraising tally. “We reached our goal of $3 million which is pretty incredible,” he said, ending the virtual show.

Also incredible? Not having to wait in a long valet line when the party was over.

“We reached our goal of $3 million, which is pretty incredible,” co-host Eric McCormack announces during the final segment of #EJAFOscars #Oscars viewing party, adding that they did it without the benefit of a splashy live auction. pic.twitter.com/hANp4RC7sM

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) April 26, 2021

“It’s a pain,” Elton John quipped to host Neil Patrick Harris during the early moments of the music legend’s first-ever virtual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party on Sunday night. John was describing how it felt to pivot the 29th annual affair from an in-person, glamour-drenched fundraiser to a streaming event due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It’s become an all too familiar sentiment over the past 13 months and one shared by many event producers but still, John was quick to walk back the comment and clarify.

“It’s not a pain. I wish we could be there. It’s more fun to be there,” he said in reference to typical plans that would’ve found him at center stage inside a custom structure built on West Hollywood Park grounds. “This is the only way we could do it.”

And how they did it was by partnering with sponsors Cisco Webex and Parx Casino along with Fulwell 73 to produce a 60-minute pre-show special that was co-hosted by John, partner David Furnish and the couple’s close friend Neil Patrick Harris, a one-time Oscar host. They drafted global pop superstar Dua Lipa to perform a set from her smash Future Nostalgia album and lined up a slew of special guests including Lady Gaga (who talked mental health), Cynthia Erivo, Dr. Anthony Fauci, comedian David Walliams, Elizabeth Hurley and the cast of It’s a Sin including Olly Alexander, Nathaniel Curtis, Omari Douglas, Callum Scott Howells and Lydia West.

…with appearances by Cynthia Erivo (in glittery flamingo dress that rivals Bjork’s swan dress) and Lady Gaga who talked importance of mental health in battle against HIV/AIDS. “The reality is that we won’t end the AIDS crisis unless we care for both mental and physical health.” pic.twitter.com/v2kvlx6GRI

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) April 26, 2021

The bulk of the production was filmed at Rosewood London and for the first time in the event’s history, the general public could check out the action by purchasing tickets via Ticketmaster with four options for various time zones including North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Gilead Sciences, Robert Kraft, Judy and Leonard Lauder served as co-sponsors with Bob and Tamar Manoukian, Brett A. Pletcher and Aruna Ravichandran serving as event chairs. Charles de Cazanove provided the bubbly as champagne partner.

“Obviously, things are a little different this year,” Harris said in his opening bit. “But it won’t stop us from having an awesome time together.”

That awesome time saw Harris giving it his all by introducing various presenters and pieces of content, trumpeting the cause of raising money for EJAF and interviewing John and Furnish. “Did you ever imagine that you would be virtual hosts?” Harris asked the pair, a question fielded by Furnish. “It’s amazing during the pandemic how, with the miracle of modern technology, we’ve been able to stay connected.”

The couple then shared their favorites heading into the big show. Furnish said he was a big fan of Promising Young Woman and its leading lady Carey Mulligan, while John put Minari atop his list. “It was uplifting and a great story,” he said, adding that he loved Judas and the Black Messiah and One Night in Miami. “We’ve watched all of them,” he said of this year’s crop. “Heavy going and some brilliantly-made films.”

Harris then allowed John to have the honors of introducing Dua Lipa and he did so by praising her as “the biggest artist in the world right now.” Looking ready for the Oscars in a glamorous black gown and white diamonds, the Grammy winner performed “Levitating,” “Pretty Please,” “Hallucinate” and “Don’t Start Now.” She changed ensembles (adding Chopard earrings) to join John later in the show for a his and hers duet: his classic “Bennie and the Jets” and hers with “Love Again.” When it was over, Dua Lipa said it was a “dream and an honor” to perform opposite John.

“What a dream, what an honor,” says Dua Lipa after dueting with Elton John during his #EJAFOscars 60-minute pre-show virtual party on “Benny and the Jets” and her track “Love Again.” pic.twitter.com/s9yX3Cm7eH

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) April 26, 2021

Shortly thereafter, the Oscar telecast began and the event pivoted again to become an official watch party. During the commercial breaks, Will & Grace favorite Eric McCormack (a longtime friend of John and Furnish and a regular Oscar party attendee) relieved Harris to fill in as co-host. John and Furnish also filled the airtime by offering their reactions to the show, including the winners and the setting — not all of it positive.

“The Oscar ceremony looks like it’s coming from a Starbucks somewhere,” John said during the first commercial break of the Union Station location. Later, he added, “I still can’t get over the set, though.” He seemed much more pleased with the winners, calling best supporting acting winner Daniel Kaluuya “a lovely man.” “He was brilliant in Get Out.”

Audio glitches proved to be the only mishap of the virtual production with McCormack’s feed going out at times. “It’s our first virtual Oscars,” John said. “We were bound to get a glitch somewhere.” They eventually sorted it out and McCormack continued broadcasting from the backyard of his home where he welcomed country singer MacKenzie Porter and her husband who performed a country hit. Later, McCormack had the honor of breaking the news about the fundraising tally. “We reached our goal of $3 million which is pretty incredible,” he said, ending the virtual show.

Also incredible? Not having to wait in a long valet line when the party was over.

“We reached our goal of $3 million, which is pretty incredible,” co-host Eric McCormack announces during the final segment of #EJAFOscars #Oscars viewing party, adding that they did it without the benefit of a splashy live auction. pic.twitter.com/hANp4RC7sM

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) April 26, 2021