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Elton John Got Pranked By Russian Comedians Pretending to Be Vladimir Putin

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: Elton John performs for fans at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on November 15, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Update: Elton Jon issued a statement on Instagram about the pranking. “Pranks are funny. Homophobia, however is never funny,” he wrote. “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.”

If you haven’t been following the diplomatic “crisis” caused by Elton John’s recent Instagram, here’s a refresher: the “Benny and the Jets” singer posted a picture of Russian President Vladimir Putin with a caption that hinted at a conversation the two men had conducted over the phone about LGBT rights in the latter’s notoriously oppressive country. John also claimed that Putin had agreed to meet him in person to further their discussion, but later that afternoon, the president’s press secretary issued a response to the effect of an “I don’t know her” GIF.

Fast forward to this morning, when the mystery’s been solved. As noted by the Daily Beast, it turns out John did have a phone call with someone he thought was Putin, but was actually two Russian comedians (Vovan and Lexus) — one pretending to be said-president, one acting as translator. The full audio’s below, so listen in.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ueGQt9aTZB4