George Michael: “I Got Psychological Help” (Expressen, 2007)

The article is a translation of the George Michael interview “Jag har fått psykologhjälp” by Robert Börjesson published on April 22, 2007 in the Swedish newspaper Expressen. This is the original source material of the article George Michael Speaks about the Hate Towards Him, which Expressen published on December 26, 2016.

LONDON. George Michael is back after the sex scandal – happier than ever.
As the only Swedish newspaper, Expressen was able to visit the pop star at his home where he’s gearing up for the summer concert at Stockholm stadium – and at the same time babysitting the daughter of Geri Halliwell, Bluebell Madonna, who also happened to be at the exclusive London house.

“I’ve been seeing a psychologist after my partner died,” says George Michael.

George Michael’s four-storey house overlooks the city of London. He has a “winter living room” and a “summer living room”. Not even his manager has dared to ask what’s the difference. The garden is in two levels, the lower one has a pool. It looks like a Ralph Lauren advertisement, but with a much more daring art collection on the walls.

“I’m peeing myself”

Outside, at the front door, Spice Girls singer Geri Halliwell stomps her feet. She has daughter, Bluebell Madonna with her.

“I’m about to pee myself. Just here to use the toilet” says Halliwell.

“Keep an eye on Bluebell Madonna!” And Ginger Spice runs through George Michael’s kitchen.

The whole family present

The whole family is gathered today: The two golden Labradors, the partner Kenny Goss and bestie, Geri Halliwell and her child.

“I defeated George in Scrabble yesterday,” says Geri and smiles.
“Zen was the winning word.”

In the second home in Dallas there’s a sheepdog.

“I love our dogs,” says George Michael

“The dogs are our babies” says Kenny.

George Michael has changed Kenny’s life. They have talked about marriage.
“I’ve become more political since I met George. He’s passionate about many things.

“I’m from Texas who’s very butch. Only hunting and American football really matters. It’s a whole different world compared to my life today. I remember my dad taking me deer hunting when I was four-years-old. I saw them shoot a deer. I think that’s when I turned gay.

Tough career

George Michael’s life as an artist has been tough. The partner Anselmo Feleppa died from a brain haemorrhage in 1993. And several scandals have derailed his career.

In 1998 he was arrested by police in a Los Angeles toilet for lewd conduct.

Five years later he lost a lawsuit against Sony which cost him millions of pounds. George Michael fought for artistic freedom but got no support from his colleagues.

“The only one supporting me was Courtney Love, bless her, but she’s out of it most of the time so it didn’t result in anything constructive,” says George Michael.

Close to giving up

When he criticized the war in Iraq with the song “Shoot the Dog,” his music was boycotted by media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s radio stations. The single flopped.

“l was close to giving up then. I was depressed. Disillusioned. I wanted to do something for my country but was attacked.

When British papers last year published photos to illustrate “George Michael’s sex encounter with a van driver” in a park in north London, most people feared that the pop star’s career would not be able to survive another scandal. And George Michael could have gone into hiding. But instead he got up on stage, and won back his fans.

“I continued to fight because it was of great importance that gay youth shouldn’t see it as the end of my career.”

“But my sex preference is vanilla, common.”

Going to Stockholm

On June 29, his acclaimed tour takes him to Stockholm stadium.
“I couldn’t imagine how much fun it would be, being on stage again. It wasn’t, the last time I toured, 15 years ago” says George Michael.

Is it true that you’ve released your last album?

“Yes, now I’m just going to release music online, just songs. Not conventional albums. I don’t want to feel controlled by radio stations. Don’t want to fall into the trap like so many others did. The trap of still aiming for hit records and attention when you’re 60-years-old. I don’t need to continue to chase validation from the world.”

“And you know, not even sure that all I will do in the future will be music. Would like to know if I can write books too.”

Feeling hated

Despite concerts at crowded football stadiums, George Michael’s own perception is that he’s hated.

“I’m a person who likes people, who always find it easy to get along. It’s strange that so many people hate me” says George Michael.

Jealousy?

“Yes, I’ve thought about that a lot. I think those who hate me think I’m just too lucky. Girls are screaming. I’m an accomplished songwriter. I’m not ugly. Have made lots of money. And no longer need to make compromises with my music, not for anyone. In addition, I still live the sex, drugs and rock’n’roll life that most in my generation had to give up.

“Many get annoyed”

I think many heterosexual men of my generation, especially in the newspaper industry, are bothered. I have no children, have lots of money, right? I can speak my mind about politics without getting fired. Can say what I want about my sexuality. I have what they regard as sex outside of marriage, so sex, drugs and rock’n’roll is my thing.

How do you handle all the hate?

“I get sad. But only brief moments. Then I look at my adorable partner. And adorable house. And my adorable dogs. And then I just feel so happy that I myself never hated anyone. I never felt hate. I’d rather have all the hate in the world directed at me, which it sometimes feels like, than to even for just one day feel hate towards another human being.”

Didn’t dare to come out

George Michael didn’t dare to come out as gay in Wham! during the 80s.

When you think back to the person you were in Wham!, what are your thoughts today?

“To be absolutely honest, I feel a little sorry for myself. I wasn’t emotionally prepared for the success.”

“Wish I had known at 18 what I didn’t have to worry about.”

He falls silent.

“I’m never nostalgic. Because I remember then how unhappy I was. I had huge problems as a child. My whole life has been a recovery from that.”

Did you get professional counseling?

“Yes, I’ve been in therapy after Anselmo, my first partner died. It helped me tremendously. Still does to a large degree.”

Will Wham! ever reunite?

“The truth is that Andrew (Ridgeley) doesn’t want to. And I don’t want it either. British journalists just write it occasionally in order to tease me.

And in order to make it look like your career would need a reunion?

“Exactly! Wham! was so much about who we were at 18, 19 or 20. Would we perform today we would look like Patsy and Edina in Absolutely Fabulous.”

FACTS

Real name: Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou

Age: 43

Lives in: London and Dallas

Family: Partner Kenny Goss and three dogs

Background: Grew up under simple conditions in north of London. The breakthrough came in 1982 with pop duo Wham! Since 1987 he’s been one of the best selling solo artists in the world.

George Michael has not only received attention for his music but also for the scandals. For instance in 1998 when arrested by police for lewd conduct.

Now: Greatest hits album “Twenty Five” and concert at Stockholm stadium June 29

Robert Börjesson