RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Boy George is dropping out of a London production of Jesus Christ Superstar , the "Karma Chameleon" singer's manager said on Instagram on Thursday , days after he stirred controversy after releasing his AI-generated, pro-Israel song "We Will Dance Again."
"The decision has been made with the utmost respect for the producers, the creative team and the entire company," manager Paul Kemsley wrote on Thursday. Boy George was set to play King Herod starting in August. Kemsley didn't specify why George was leaving but wrote that the singer "has never been afraid to stand by his personal convictions, and I have always respected him for that." Related Stories Music Boy George Wants to Use AI to Reclaim 'Karma Chameleon' Lifestyle Adam Lambert Champions Cynthia Erivo's 'Jesus Christ Superstar' Casting: "Shouldn't the Teachings of Jesus Transcend Gender?"
"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 said. "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 made the announcement just days after George shared "We Will Dance Again" on social media. Boy George confirmed the song was made with AI on Threads earlier this week, writing that "I call it 'AI for good'. Truthfully, I would struggle to write this with a human!" At press time, it's unclear what of the song is AI-generated and what was human made. Making an AI song of any sort isn't exactly surprising at this point for Boy George, who spoke with The Hollywood Reporter last month about using AI to gain ownership of his hits by re-recording them.
"We Will Dance Again," is set over a reggae beat and production and has George rebuking calling the war in Gaza a genocide. He questions musicians who voiced support for Palestine, saying they are "mouthing like sheep propaganda fueled by the internet."
"You say genocide, I say war, when you're attacked, it's what the army's for," are the track's opening lyrics. "Does it get ugly? You bet it does, when I know you want to kill every last one of us."
The song continues with lyrics about a lack of conversation about October 7 and about "young girls raped against trees, murdered brutally for the crime of dancing, you condemn the Jews with selective memory."
Broadway actor Patrick Clanton, who performed alongside Boy George in Moulin Rouge, was among those who criticized the song since its release this week, saying George "was a terrible performer and I was embarassed [sic] to be in the show with him."
Boy George clapped back Thursday, writing on Threads that "I barely remember you, kudos for getting some media attention off my back because any other time you would barely have garnered a sentence."
Boy George seemed to address some of the broader criticism around the song on Thursday on X as well, writing that "It doesn't matter what I think or what you think."
"When will you realise you're doing NOTHING! It's a fucking joke," he wrote. "I am even falling out with Jewish friends. The madness knows no bounds."
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