ELTON JOHN X LIL NAS X: sexuality, the music industry and the blend of generations.

Explore the colourful crossover of the generational legends Elton John and Lil Nas X, in the Uber eats advert of 2021.

The advert shows the King of the internet Lil Nas X and legendary singer Elton John have teamed In typical flamboyant style, they iconic looks, ride playground horses and fight about whether fries pair well with mayonnaise.

This simplistic and easy watch of the food advert, meant for the rounded entertainment of a generational cross over on mainstream media television, seems very basic however when analysed more has many codes hidden. For example Elton is seen in Lil Nas X’s pink Versace cowboy suit from last year’s Grammys and, in turn, Nas is seen in one of John’s fabulous feather get-ups.

This unity of the two is show stopping and legendary with the blending of generations and the mainstream coverage of the advert is really encouraging to see as both Elton and Nas are openly out as gay.

This allows representation in the media for queer people, but out of the context of being queer. think about it when have you ever seen two gay men on screen and it not be sexualised or relation to something about their sexual orientation. usually in the mainstream media if gay coverage is happening it is always the bun of a joke or their for diversity points, ' the gay best friend' character with one recognisable personality trait of being extremely camp and 'a great shopper'.

This is why this ad really stuck out to me because its allowing screen time for queer people simply because they are amazing artists and fashion icons as well as the fact that we all enjoy an Uber eats here and there!

Not only this but it shows Uber eats brand identity and is publicly displaying that they not only support the lgbtq+ community but are willing to have them as their brand representatives, of course this is mainly going to profit Uber eats rather than any lgbtq+ charities or organisations and having huge icons on their advert is going to attract a wide audience and customer type but it is steps in great direction and i personally really enjoyed watching these too together.

A fair criticism I would give however is that once again when any lgbtq+ representation is on the mainstream it is always a gay male, furthering the patriarchal selection in society and pushing further for the acceptance of gay men, regarding the rest of the community.

DAISY D.