The Swedish article “George Michael använde som bränsle” written by Robert Börjesson and published in the Expressen paper summarizes the 2007 interview the author did with George Michael. Börjesson’s interview was published in several articles:
- George Michael: “I’m Not a Sex Monster”
- George Michael: “I Got Psychological Help”
- George Michael Speaks about the Hate Towards Him
Loved for his music. But it’s easy to forget that George Michael also experienced a lot of hate during his career.
“It’s strange how hated I am” he said when we met in his home.
Many of those paying tribute to George Michael after his death, have been surprised to receive hateful comments in return.
Some may view that as significant for the times we live in. Just proof that we live in an increasingly intolerant world.
Maybe that’s true.
But it’s also true that George Michael felt that he was hated throughout his entire career. And that is easy to forget now that he’s celebrated worldwide.
In 2007 I interviewed George Michael in his home, a four-storey house overlooking the city of London.
First thing when I got there, Geri Halliwell, in dire need of a toilet, came running through the back door. She asked me to look after her daughter since “uncle George” couldn’t do it right away.
A long conversation with George Michael
Many subjects came up that afternoon.
The depression.
The drugs.
Why he didn’t come out as gay until 1998.
But nothing seemed to matter more to him than why, in addition to drawing those big crowds, he also generated so much hate.
“I’m a person who likes people, who always find it easy to get along. It’s strange that so many people hate me” said George Michael
He had several theories to explain why they were so provoked. For instance, he believed that his lifestyle was part of it.
“l have no children, have lots of money, right? I can speak my mind about politics without getting fired. I can speak my mind about my sexuality. I have what they regard as sex outside of marriage…”
But what he ultimately came back to, many times, was homophobia.
He tried to use their hate as fuel. And it was the haters that kept him going after all the scandals.
He was determined that in the end it should not be said about him that his sex life cost him his career.
“I continued to fight because it was of great importance that gay youth shouldn’t see it as the end of my career,” he said.
And now, when the news of his passing is not only met with sadness or tributes, George Michael would probably be the last person to be surprised.
Similar Posts:
- George Michael Interview with Capital FM Radio with Dr. Fox (Dec 1998)
- An Audience with George Michael: Interview with Chris Evans (1996)
- George Michael: The Lone Star State Interview on Q Magazine (June 1988)
- George Michael Interview in Blitz Magazine (June 1988)
- George Michael’s Oprah Winfrey Show Interview (2004)