I’m actually very happy for Elton John and David Furnish – I think they wanted to become fathers for a while now, and it’s nice that they found a way to do it. They welcomed baby Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John on Christmas, a nice little late-in-life baby. You’d think that the two would be focused completely on little Zach, right? Not so much… Elton John already has a 26-city tour planned for Europe and America. Baby needs some new booties?
Sir Elton and his partner David Furnish became fathers for the first time on Christmas Day after Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John was born to an unnamed surrogate in California.
Despite their joy at the new arrival Sir Elton will be occupied with the demands of a 26-date tour of the US and Europe from January to June this year.
It will start in France on January 26 in Lievin, and finish in Ireland on June 11 including performances in Switzerland and Germany. The singer also has scheduled dates in the U.S. and Canada.
It has also been reported that the couple will still host their annual Oscars party in Hollywood on Feburary 21 this year.
Sir Elton announced the birth amid claims that he and Furnish may have paid an agency more than £100,000.
[From The Telegraph]
The gay-parenting thing doesn’t bother me in the least. I’m not even concerned with the age thing. But THIS bothers me. Why schedule all of this crap when you know when your baby is due? It’s like the Sarah Jessica Parker stuff all over again – you pay all of this money to get these beautiful babies, and you’re going to run all over working non-stop when the babies are newborns? SJP left her newborn twin girls for TWO MONTHS right after they were born. While Elton’s schedule doesn’t look that hideous, it’s still worrisome. BUT – considering the 26 dates are spread out over six months, maybe it will be fine? Ugh.
Also – David Furnish made a statement to Us Weekly about the Ukrainian baby that he and Elton tried to adopt last year:
Sir Elton John, 62, and partner David Furnish, 48, welcomed their son Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John on Dec. 25, UsMagazine.com exclusively reported Monday. “For many years we have talked about fulfilling one of our greatest wishes by becoming parents,” John tells Us. “And now this wish has been granted to us, we feel so blessed and lucky.”
The birth marks the realization of John and Furnish’s dream of becoming parents. Last fall, the couple visited an orphanage in the Ukraine and planned to adopt a 14-month-old boy named Lev and his HIV-positive brother Artyom. “David always wanted to adopt a child and I always said ‘no’ because I am 62 and I think because of the traveling I do and the life I have, maybe it wouldn’t be fair for the child,” John told reporters. “But having seen Lev today, I would love to adopt him. I don’t know how we do that but he has stolen my heart. And he has stolen David’s heart and it would be wonderful if we can have a home [together]”.
Earlier this year, their petition to adopt was declined by the Ukranian authorities, and Furnish told the BBC that they were “massively gutted” by the rejection. Since then, Furnish and John have worked tirelessly behind the scenes through Ukranian lawyers to find Lev and Artyom a happy home.
Furnish commented: “Although Ukranian law does not permit Elton and I to adopt Lev and Artyom, we are determined to give them the best chance of living a happy and healthy life with a loving Ukranian family. The arrival of our son has done nothing but strengthen our resolve to help these two wonderful children. We are, however, constrained by Ukranian policy and legal procedure, and this is why for the past 12 months we have retained a leading Ukranian law firm to assist us in this process.”
After being rejected in their adoption bid, John and Furnish decided to pursue their dream of becoming parents with the help of a surrogate. The couple have told Us that they wish to keep those details private.
Though Zachary is John and Furnish’s first child, the five-time Grammy winner and his partner have already had some parenting practice: between them, they have 6 godchildren, including John Lennon’s son, Sean; Elizabeth Hurley’s son, Damien; and David and Victoria Beckham’s sons Brooklyn and Romeo.
[From Us Weekly]
Elton has said before that he plans to leave his estate to his godchildren – but that was before he had a kid of his own. Do you think he’s already changing his will? Probably.
Ah, well. Best wishes to Elton, David and Zach.
These guys have a very extravagant lifestyle-so I’m guessing he pretty much has to work a lot to maintain that. Also, 26 dates over 6 months doesn’t seem excessive. The baby will still be so little they could just drag him along if they wanted to-but I”m guessing he’ll just be home with David.
I thought the point of being gay was non-procreation…they don’t need a kid.
Being a good parent requires continuous, often infuriating, self sacrifice.
Does Elton John have it in him to put a child’s needs over his own for the next 20 years?
I just don’t know if a sixty something year-old, accustomed to stardom and all that entails, can adjust.
imo…ej seems like a bitchy ole queen. cannot even imagine he’ll have the patience or selflessness to deal with a baby…a toddler…a child…etc.
but i guess that’s what the nannies are for. but then what’s the point.
I do so wish the best for Elton and his baby. Children are not short term curiosities and need a loving parent 24/7 so I hope he understand this.
On a lighter note, Elton just had a baby but it will take some time for him to loose his baby pooch (lol).
Lisa said: “I thought the point of being gay was non-procreation…they don’t need a kid.”
———————————–
You can’t be serious…?
I think working parents who have to work don’t have to explain much to their kids when they’re not around. Kids from those backgrounds usually already understand that bills need to be paid. But when your parents are already rich beyond belief and they decide that they “need” to spend so much time away from you to fulfill themselves, that has got to suck. These are not people with 9-5 jobs. When these celebrities adopt their children and then go back to work some of them are spending days at a time away from their newborns. I don’t understand it.
Meh – so much judgement. I would love to see how some of the parents who comment here would feel if others judged their parenting choices. Nobody’s perfect, there are many ways to parent effectively, and I bet this baby will be well-loved. It’s adults who project their issues and judgements on kids.
@Lisa: “I thought the point of being gay was non-procreation…they don’t need a kid.”
You imply homo/heterosexuality is a choice. It isn’t and there is no “point” to being gay or straight. How do you know what they “need” in terms of fulfilling a desire for a family with children?
That’s obnoxious. You might want to revisit that perspective.
Moving along, as we all know Elton John is a selfish old Queen who likely wants nothing to do with nappy-changing, up in the middle of the night…I think this baby was more for David than Elton. That isn’t unusual in couples at all.
Him touring at this point though…his head is up his bloomers. Though for a lot of performers they eventually crave the adulation of the live audience if they go without it for longer than they like and need a hit.
Too, he likes to spend so who knows what his financial state is but I doubt the roof is going to cave in within the next 6 months – which is when he should even BEGIN to think about touring but not now.
If he doesn’t want to bond with his child and be his father all over again, then I feel for that little boy.
Men are funny too, many don’t tend to be interested in babies really until they start showing personality.
konspiracytheory: yeah, I’m serious. If they are “born” that way, as they as, then they should not have the “maternal” instinct. They are dudes, not man and wife. They don’t need a kid, maybe a fu-fu dog.
And “Lisa” is now banned. Sorry about that!
lisa: “yeah, I’m serious. If they are “born” that way, as they as, then they should not have the “maternal” instinct. They are dudes, not man and wife. They don’t need a kid, maybe a fu-fu dog.
What alternative bigoted little universe do you inhabit where men don’t have paternal instincts? Are you actually suggesting that a person’s sexual orientation determines how they feel about children and parenthood? Can you be that stupid?
EDIT: Aah. I see she’s been banished to the bigoted alternative universe from whence she came. Good. 🙂
Re Elton’s plans to tour, this is a big one, worldwide, probably in the works for well over a year, probably even before they knew the baby was on his way. They knew the baby’s due date so I’m sure they will have built Zachary into their travel plans over the next 6 mths.
@ Lisa. Most gay men are the third or fourth male in a family. Statistics show that the more brothers you have, the more change you have of being gay. Why nature acts this way is unsure, but there are theories enough. One is that because the mother doesn’t have any daughters to help with the household (I am talking about when mankind still lived in the wild), her youngest sons will take over that role. Therefore most gay men are brimming over with maternal instincts.
I don’t know of any couples, period, that would be 1)so willing to adopt HIV-positiv children and 2)when rejected (due to Elton’s age I read) work so tirelessly to ensure the kids were adopted and to a good home. And you know they’ll provide for them and their adoptive parents.
It’s sad because this leaves couples like Elton and David, or Ricky Martin, no other choice but to go the surrogate route and then they have the added risk of being accused of having ‘vanity’ babies.
With all the unwanted children in the world it seems just asinine to get caught up in stereotypes of prospective adoptive parents when every day we see horror stories of abuse and neglect perpetrated by so-called ‘normal’ couples.
(Lastly, is it me or is David channeling Pee-wee Herman in that second to last photo?)
Sigh. I was so happy yesterday that there was little homophobia or gay bashing in the comments. I guess I spoke too soon because here we go. It is disappointing to see him rushing back to work, but the schedule seems pretty light. Over 6 months, 26 shows amounts to less than 5 days per month. Many mothers are back at work that many days a week when their babes are 6 weeks old. I’m not going to hate on him for it.
Yay Kaiser for banning Lisa.
The baby will do just fine. He may even be going along for some of the tour dates. This will be a very loved and fortunate child. BTW I wonder if Elton’s had some work done. He looks younger in some photos.
Excellent! “Lisa” has been sent packing to her home planet Bigot 3 in galaxy Stooge.
They seem like really great guys. David seems very mellow, low key and sweet. I think he balances Elton out.
Thank you, Kaiser for banning “Lisa”…who we all know is really a closeted self-loathing gay dude from Kentucky typing her diatribe in his wife’s teddy.
LOL!
I’m going to keep my firm grasp on Team Elton here and say that this tour was probably planned before they knew the due date of the child. It takes a whole hell of a lot of time to produce a world tour stretching so many countries, at least there aren’t a massive amount of dates and they are spread out over six months. Pretty sure on December 26th Elton wasn’t sitting looking at his son when a lightbulb went off and he exclaimed he must go on a tour.
BYE LISA!!!! Good riddance
Thank you Kaiser!!
I am happy for them both. They will surely give this child a happy home. Sir Elton, I do not think, can stop working, its just who he is. I do, however, think that he will be very good to the child.
UGH, why do people question working parents? Yes, he’s an uber rich and famous musician but at the end of the day, still a working parent. Luckily, he can bring the child along with him to work. What an exciting and charmed life this kid will have…the money, the glamour…and most importantly, parents who love and adore him…who made a conscious decision to bring him into this world. Lucky boy.
I am sorry, but Elton John is such a narcissistic little toe-rag that he will not be missed from this poor child’s life. Better he stays away from the baby. He’s too old to be a parent and too much of a diva to give himself to a child. He has said as much about his relationship with David. He basically treats him as scum and David just takes it.
I think (and hope) that David will be the primary parent.
Well done Kaiser.
“Toe-rag,” haven’t heard that in ages…lol.
Congrats to them on the new baby, but even more congrats on still trying to find a home for those Ukrainian boys. With that much love to give, I think they’ll make great daddies.
First off, I think people who want to marry other people should be able to do so, and should be able to have a family.
That being said, I wouldn’t want to be Elton John’s kid for all the tea in China. I used to love him, but after reading some of his unfortunate comments over the years, I lost my respect for him. DOn’t know his partner at all obviously, but I hope he’s a good counterpoint.
I’m not surprised, the baby boy is just another thing Elton saw, wanted and purchased with him millions. Elton has always seemed like a typical self absorbed neurotic artist. I remember his rants at the airport when he didn’t get what he wanted, he’s a petulant spoilt star. David was the one who probably really wanted to be a father so Elton bought him a baby. The baby while destined for a rich life, will grow up raised by nannies and assistants. Sad.
I’m sorry I missed Lisa’s comment before she was banned. I know this site is very tolerant and assume the banning was appropriate but I hope in the exhibiting of enlightenment towards the gay life style that we ourselves do not become homophobe-phobes. We all smack these celebs around pretty good and I think smack talking Elton is fine if it’s not vulgar hatred. Many people hold a value system which finds homosexual behavior distastefull and they can not be deterred from their values anymore than a homosexual can from his sexual orientation. I want people of such values to comment intelligently.
Thanks Kaiser for banning Lisa, that comment was ridiculous and offensive.
I’m not getting worked up over this tour, yes its not ideal when you have a newborn, but as someone already mentioned it will have been in the works for over a year and – 26 shows in 6 months? That’s like one show a week. Plus the dates will be scheduled in such a way that he will probably have long periods of time off.
A lot of new parents have to go back to work very soon after having a child, and they work much longer hours than this.
Eh. Parents travel with work, parents go away in the service for up to a year, etc. It happens. It doesn’t mean that don’t care. As for Lisa, I don’t follow that line of thinking, but I also think everyone can have their own opinion, whether I think they are a tard or not. The solution for bad speech is more speech, not less.
Trying VERY hard not to be judgemental. But it’s just so easy! Ha. And yes, my only issue is/would be with the going off to work with a tiny baby at home. I guess I just don’t understand it. Doesn’t make it wrong, I spose.
That nsaid, I think it’s clear that David will be the ‘Mommy’ here – he’s going to be the one who stays home and changes diapers and wrangles nannies. He’s already sort of the babysitter in that relationship – you know, the calm, solid one to Elton’s moody queen.
Good luck to them.
Why would anyone bash him for doing a show a month?
I don’t get the hate for working parents. My mom didn’t have the choice to be a stay at home mom for financial reasons. She worked before and after she divorced my dad. I turned out fine. Whatever.
Thank you Rita. I am not a hateful person but I don’t agree with eltons lifestyle or decisions based off of my religious beliefs. Not approving is different that flat out hating but a lot of people don’t get that. Its rare especially on these sites so I appreciate that you made that comment.
In many partnerships one person wants children more than the other. I wonder if it was David who craved parenthood and Elton wanted to oblige. A brand new baby is SO exciting. Elton going on an extensive tour during this time seems out of place.
The baby will be FINE! There are countless parents getting back to work after one month, and their kids are ok! There is nothing wrong in loving one’s job IMHO
Get stuffed Rita, and you too jo. Who gives a fig if you ‘approve’ or not. Clearly you have no clue. The gay ‘lifestyle’? Is there a black life style? A tall life style? An Irish* life style? People live as they see fit. Being tall, gay, white or black does not qualify under ‘style’ No, we should not, and thankfully CB does Not, tolerate an anti gay slurs passing under the radar as mere coomment.
*I am Irish
Yay! Lisa’s been BANNED. Good.
Congrats to Elton and David on the birth of their son! I wish them well!
Since I doubt he needs to hustle to pay the bills, that would make him a… narcissistic moron with no idea how to bond with or raise a friggin kid?
No surprises there then.
Thank you Kaiser for banning Lisa. I choose to believe that God puts many of us here to love and care for children that may not biologically be our own. I wish they had been able to adopt the Ukranian siblings or others in a similar situation. If only for the advantages the children would be given after the extreme difficulty of their early life; along with the acceptance they as children of a same-sex couple and child(ren) with health concerns would learn and need to be shown.
That being said, it seems a bit selfish to conceive a child at Elton’s age.
Not agreeing with someone being gay is like not agreeing with someone having blue eyes or brown hair. It is how the person is BORN, not a lifestyle choice. This is not the dark ages and it is widely accepted by all but the most crazy bible thumpers that people are born with their sexuality. So not agreeing with it makes no sense at all. It is just couching homophobia in nicer language.
Celebrities don’t raise their own children. They have round the clock nannies to do it for them. Anyone who thinks otherwise nieve.
IN most adoptions the parents can’t be more than 40 years older than the child.
Elton is 62 years old. When this kid goes to college Elton will be 82 if he is still alive.
I don’t see anyone talking about the Jolie-Pitts and their travels with children or even the Palins doing the same. It is a packable newborn with two parents and a disposeable income. How hard can this concept be?
Congratulations to them both!