Brandi Carlile and Elton John in March 2025.Photo:John Shearer/97th Oscars/The Academy via Getty
John Shearer/97th Oscars/The Academy via Getty
Elton JohnandBrandi Carlileare a match made in heaven.In anew interview with Themto promote their new collaborative albumWho Believes in Angels?, the two musicians spoke about their friendship — and John declared they’re “soulmates.““Well, I’ve been a fan of Brandi’s for a long time, but she had been a fan of mine for even longer, and I played and sang on one of her records,” said the “Rocket Man” artist, 77, referencing his piano and background vocal contributions on Carlile’s “Caroline” from her third album,Give Up the Ghost.Brandi Carlile and Elton John’s ‘Who Believes in Angels?’ album cover.“When she came to the studio, I actually fell in love with her, and we’ve been soulmates ever since,” added John, who’s married toDavid Furnishand shares sonsZachary and Elijahwith him. Carlile, 43, meanwhile, is married to wifeCatherine Shepherd, and they share two daughters:Evangeline Ruth and Elijah.John detailed of their closeness, “We’ve done holidays together with our kids, and she’s just one of my favorite people in the whole world. And also musically, she’s one of my favorite people in the whole world.“Elsewhere in the interview, Carlile recalled the moment she first listened to John’s music. “I discovered Elton’s music when I was 11 years old in a book report at school,” she said.“The book report was actually really sad — about a young boy called Ryan White who had died of AIDS just recently at that time,” she explained. “Through the book, I learned a lot about not just Elton John and Bernie Taupin and their music, but my world view [also] changed.“Through the school assignment, Carlile learned about “pain in suffering” as well as “toxic politics” and “power structures” working against the LGBTQ+ community. “It set me up to understand where I was and where I was going,” she said.“The music was the catalyst for all of that. But I learned a lot more than just music in those times,” she continued. “That’s why books being allowed in schools unfiltered and uncensored, in some ways, is so important because that was foundational to me in my life.“Brandi Carlile and Elton John in January 2025.Francis Specker/CBS via GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Who Believes in Angels?is set for a April 4 release via Interscope Records. The title track was released last month, while another song, “Swing for the Fences,” was released March 5.The album will also include John and Carlile’s “Never Too Late” from his Disney+ documentary of the same name. The duet was nominated for Best Original Song at the 97th Academy Awards earlier this month.
Elton JohnandBrandi Carlileare a match made in heaven.
In anew interview with Themto promote their new collaborative albumWho Believes in Angels?, the two musicians spoke about their friendship — and John declared they’re “soulmates.”
“Well, I’ve been a fan of Brandi’s for a long time, but she had been a fan of mine for even longer, and I played and sang on one of her records,” said the “Rocket Man” artist, 77, referencing his piano and background vocal contributions on Carlile’s “Caroline” from her third album,Give Up the Ghost.
Brandi Carlile and Elton John’s ‘Who Believes in Angels?’ album cover.
“When she came to the studio, I actually fell in love with her, and we’ve been soulmates ever since,” added John, who’s married toDavid Furnishand shares sonsZachary and Elijahwith him. Carlile, 43, meanwhile, is married to wifeCatherine Shepherd, and they share two daughters:Evangeline Ruth and Elijah.
John detailed of their closeness, “We’ve done holidays together with our kids, and she’s just one of my favorite people in the whole world. And also musically, she’s one of my favorite people in the whole world.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Carlile recalled the moment she first listened to John’s music. “I discovered Elton’s music when I was 11 years old in a book report at school,” she said.
“The book report was actually really sad — about a young boy called Ryan White who had died of AIDS just recently at that time,” she explained. “Through the book, I learned a lot about not just Elton John and Bernie Taupin and their music, but my world view [also] changed.”
Through the school assignment, Carlile learned about “pain in suffering” as well as “toxic politics” and “power structures” working against the LGBTQ+ community. “It set me up to understand where I was and where I was going,” she said.
“The music was the catalyst for all of that. But I learned a lot more than just music in those times,” she continued. “That’s why books being allowed in schools unfiltered and uncensored, in some ways, is so important because that was foundational to me in my life.”
Brandi Carlile and Elton John in January 2025.Francis Specker/CBS via Getty
Francis Specker/CBS via Getty
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Who Believes in Angels?is set for a April 4 release via Interscope Records. The title track was released last month, while another song, “Swing for the Fences,” was released March 5.
The album will also include John and Carlile’s “Never Too Late” from his Disney+ documentary of the same name. The duet was nominated for Best Original Song at the 97th Academy Awards earlier this month.
source: people.com
