Highlights
- George Michael faced controversy and censorship for the sexually explicit lyrics in his song "I Want Your Sex".
- He defended the song, stating that it was not about casual sex but rather a reflection of the changing times and the seriousness of HIV/AIDS.
- George Michael eventually came out as gay in the late 90s during a live television interview, ending years of speculation about his sexuality.
George Michael first became known as part of the musical duo Wham! in the early 80s. Michael went on to have a successful solo career with hit songs such as "Faith" and "Freedom! '90." However, despite his professional success, extreme focus was placed on Michael's personal life.
Rumors ran rampant for years about Michael's own sexuality. Michael denied the rumors for years until he was outed following an arrest in the late 90s. Michael would let the world know that he was gay and not ashamed whatsoever.
However, before being open about his own sexuality, Michael's exploration of sex in his music led to controversy. Similar to scandals surrounding other artists, the single "I Want Your Sex" was banned from daytime radio in the UK as well and a disclaimer was placed before its video on MTV. Michael was even openly criticized by an interviewer who disapproved of the song's lyrics.
George Stood Up To An Interviewer Who Criticized The Lyrics To His Song 'I Want Your Sex'
After Wham! disbanded and Michael went solo, he released his album "Faith" in 1987. The album's first single, "I Want Your Sex," was a major source of controversy.
The controversy came from the song's sex positivity. At the time, the AIDS epidemic was killing people at an alarming rate and parents worried about what kind of influence Michael's lyrics would have on youth. The music video was even a source of controversy, with Michael recording a disclaimer for MTV, which would air before the video began.
"In the past there were arguments for and against casual sex," Michael began in the disclaimer. "Then it became a question of morality. These days, it can be a question of life or death. It's as simple as that. And this song is not about casual sex."
The song was even banned from daytime radio in the UK. At the time, Michael voiced his frustration with the ban during an interview with Jonathan Ross.
"I wasn't expecting the blanket ban," Michael said. "I think it's unfair because it's the first ban of its kind in a long time and I think that if I were not George Michael then I would have no problem being played on those stations. And it's incredibly irritating having a record out for a couple of weeks and knowing that people haven't heard it."
In a 1988 interview with 60 Minutes Australia, journalist Jeff McMullen even criticized some of the song's lyrics. While interviewing Michael, McMullen said the lines "Sex is natural/Sex is good/Not everybody does it/But everybody should" were "tasteless."
"That would rank as one of the most banal and trite three lines in rock and roll," McMullen told Michael.
"I don't think it's trite," Michael responded. "It's definitely an outstanding pop lyric. It's definitely going to be there in five or ten years' time."
Michael went on to say that he was "very proud" of the song.
George Said He Wanted To Come Out While In Wham! But Stayed Closeted Because Of His Father
During his 1988 interview with McMullen, Michael was asked about the rumors that he was gay. In response, Michael said that he wasn't gay and that he didn't think his sexuality was anyone's business.
In 2023, a documentary titled Wham! premiered on Netflix and shed new light on Michael's coming out. In archival audio interviews, Michael described his own coming out process and why he remained closeted in the early years of his career.
The documentary described the moment Michael came out to his bandmate Andrew Ridgeley when the two were 19. Ridgeley was asked by Michael to stop by his hotel room to talk. The band's backup singer and close friend, Shirlie Holliman, was there as well.
"He gave Shirlie a sort of quick glance. He said to me, 'Didn't know how to tell you this, but I'm gay. If not gay, you know, bisexual,'" Ridgeley said. "For me, his sexuality had absolutely no bearing on us. I wanted him to be happy."
Michael said he didn't come out publicly, however, due to his father, who described himself as strict. Michael would even call his upbringing "oppressive."
Exclusive: James Kennedy Talks His DJ Career And His Godfather, George Michael
James Kennedy of Vanderpump Rules has come a long way, and he dished about his personal life and career in an exclusive interview with TheThings.
"I said I was gonna talk to my mom and dad, and was persuaded in no uncertain terms that it really wasn't the best idea," Michael can be heard saying in a voiceover interview. "I don't think they were trying to protect my career or their careers, I think they were literally just thinking of my dad. 'Cause you know, when you're 19, that's as far as you think. You look at your parents: 'Don't tell your dad! My god, your dad'll hit the roof.'"
"At that point in time, I really did, I really wanted to come out," Michael said of his days in Wham! "And then I lost my nerve completely. And just, by necessity, I went with full gusto into — in the progression of Wham! — creating a new character."
George Came Out During A Live Television Interview After Being Arrested In The Late 90s
In 1998, Michael appeared on CNN to discuss his sexuality with journalist Jim Moret. At the time, Michael made headlines after he was arrested for propositioning an undercover police officer for sex in a Beverly Hills park.
Moret said that Michael wanted to go on television to tell his story "in his own words and in his own way."
Michael began by talking about the rampant rumors and attention paid to his sexuality over the years.
"To some degree, with pop stars or film stars, we become the object of people’s self-definition, as well as the object of sexual definition," he said.
"So, in unambiguous terms, what is it that you want to say?" Moret asked.
"I want to say that I have no problem with people knowing that I’m in a relationship with a man right now," Michael said. "I have not been in a relationship with a woman for almost ten years."
Michael went on to talk about the songs he wrote and assured fans that he wasn't being dishonest about his sexuality in his lyrics.
"I do want people to know that the songs that I wrote when I was with women were really about women, and the songs I have written since have been fairly obviously about men," Michael explained.
