Photo Credit: Boy George by John Begalke / CC by 2.0
Boy George’s manager says the singer is dropping out of a London production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” amid backlash to his AI-generated pro-Israel song.
Boy George’s manager announced on Thursday that the Culture Club singer would be dropping out of a London production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” The news comes just days after the release of his controversial AI-generated pro-Israel song, “We Will Dance Again.” Boy George would have been playing King Herod beginning in August.
“The decision has been made with the utmost respect for the producers, the creative team, and the entire company,” wrote manager Paul Kemsley.
While the post didn’t specify why the singer was leaving the production, Kemsley noted that George “has never been afraid to stand by his personal convictions, and I have always respected him for that.”
“Equally, I believe it is my responsibility to make decisions that are in the best interests of my artist while also showing respect to others,” Kemsley explained. “In this instance, I felt it was right to step aside, allowing the production to remain the focus, while ensuring everyone involved can move forward with mutual respect and goodwill.”
Kemsley’s announcement arrives a few days after Boy George shared his new song, “We Will Dance Again,” on social media. The singer confirmed earlier this week that the song was made using AI, but it’s unknown how much of it or what portions were AI-generated or assisted.
Immediately, the singer was hit with backlash online, not for the use of AI, but for the firm stance he has taken in his support of Israel. Among the critics was Broadway actor Patrick Clanton, who performed alongside George in a production of “Moulin Rouge.” He called George a “terrible performer” and said that he was “embarrassed to be in the show with him.”
George quickly clapped back, writing on Threads that “I barely remember you.”
Given the intense controversy surrounding him this week, it makes sense that the “Karma Chameleon” singer’s manager would think it in his client’s best interest to take a step back from the public eye.
Earlier this year, actress Isa Briones, known for playing Dr. Trinity Santos on HBO’s “The Pitt,” told fans she had had enough of them yelling out references to her character on the show while she was performing in the Bobby Darin musical, “Just in Time,” on Broadway.
“(It’s) fucking disrespectful to the performers onstage and your fellow audience members,” she wrote in her Instagram Story back in May. “Once again, Broadway is not a circus. Do not yell whatever you want at the performers.”
Similarly, in the case of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Kemsley could very well be trying to spare the other performers any potential heckling from the audience that might be directed at Boy George by pulling the singer from the production.
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