Elton John has released a new video for his Triple Platinum-certified holiday hit, “Step Into Christmas,” which is now available to watch on YouTube. This updated version reimagines the behind-the-scenes moments from the iconic 1973 original, featuring British actress and model Cara Delevingne stepping into Elton’s shoes.
Set over 50 years after the original release, the whimsical new video portrays a chaotic yet festive production team struggling to prepare the set for Elton’s arrival. Despite their efforts with Christmas decorations, including a feather boa, balloons, and confetti, chaos ensues with mishaps like a runaway turkey, a missing reindeer, and an overzealous fan storming the set. Amid the madness, Cara channels Elton’s signature dance moves and expressions, adding her unique flair to the recreation.
For Cara, playing Elton in the video fulfilled a lifelong dream. A devoted fan since childhood, she shares a close friendship with the music legend. Elton recalls their conversation at Glastonbury about collaborating and praises Cara’s humor and energy, calling her portrayal in the video “perfect.” Cara expressed her excitement, describing it as an opportunity she didn’t know she wanted but was thrilled to embrace, even jokingly suggesting Elton play her in a future biopic.
Originally released on November 23, 1973, “Step Into Christmas” was a hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Christmas Singles chart and No. 24 on the UK Singles Chart during its first run. Over the years, it has become a seasonal staple, frequently re-entering charts and achieving new heights, including a peak UK chart position of No. 8 in 2020 and a Triple Platinum certification in 2022, nearly 50 years after its debut.
The video release coincides with Elton’s new Disney+ documentary, Elton John: Never Too Late, directed by R.J. Cutler and David Furnish. The documentary reflects on his extraordinary 50-year career and his personal journey. Elton also released the song “Never Too Late” in collaboration with Brandi Carlile, inspired by an early cut of the documentary.
