| George speaks
for the first time ever direct to his fans on the MSN Chat
POP STAR GEORGE MICHAEL
has taken part in his first ever online chat. The singer chose
MSN to answer fan questions from around the world. For more than
two hours he spoke with humour and honesty about everything from
God to Ginger Spice to his sexuality.
The Microsoft Network says:
MSN, in association with Hotmail,
presents an online interactive interview. Ladies and Gentlemen,
please welcome online George Michael....
George Michael says:
Hi everyone, welcome to the chat. Before we get started, I'd
like to say a few things to my audience worldwide, many of whom
will probably be online for the first time. Firstly, I want to
thank you all for your continuing support. Your loyalty is never
forgotten, and I am not just talking about record sales and
chart positions.
In recent years, your letters and e-mails, even good wishes in
the street, have helped me through the most difficult times. My
celebrity may not protect me from human tragedy (or comedy for
that matter!), but my music, and the fact that you still enjoy
it, has been a lifeline. Thank you. I am a lucky man. As for
this evening's conversation, I hope you enjoy it. There are some
things that are off-limits for the simple reason that I'm not
here to feed the press tonight. I have plenty to say about
recent events, and I intend to say them, but not right now. So
if you logged on for that stuff, well, don't hold your breath
but...
if you are a genuine fan, I think you should enjoy this.... love
and thanks, George xxx
p.s. Thanks so much to Andros, and everyone at Aegean.net, for
their hard work on the site, and for putting this evening
together.
OK, fire away ... please remember that I am typing this myself,
so please excuse mistakes, and my speed - I never made it as a
temp :-)
The Microsoft Network says:
Hi George! Welcome online...you are doing your own typing?!
George Michael says:
Yup, if you want something done well.....
Beverley Lawrence asks:
Can you foresee the day when your music will be available solely
for download via the internet, or do you think that there will
always be a demand for mail order or retail distribution? And as
you "love to sing, hate to tour", do you think that
your future as a live performer lies in webcasts rather than in
world tours?
George Michael says:
Even though it's hard to imagine I can't help but believe that
music will become one of the first things that the public will
buy online simply because there are very few 'products' that can
be transported down a telephone line. It's that simple. So if
the shopping 'revolution' that we have heard about actually
happens music retail stores will probably be one of it's first
victims. As for live work, nothing on a screen is going to
compare to the real thing even if I do say so myself, so I guess
the answer to that is no.
Laura Perkins asks:
Your last album was called 'Older' - what will you be calling
the next one?
George Michael says:
It's a long way off, as the greatest hits will be released this
year but the working title is 'Fatter with a little more grey
hair' :-)
Andrew Stevens asks;
When did you first realise you were a sex symbol?
George Michael says:
Can't put my finger on the date I'm afraid, but did you know
that you have the same name as my manager. Actually, he's not
here. Are you my manager?
Susan Pugh asks:
Are you planning to go on tour?
George Michael says:
Yes I am. Nothing has been set in stone, but if everything goes
to plan we will start next year in England in March....
Denise Van Outen, from 'The Big Breakfast', asks:
Will you go on a date with me?
George Michael says:
Sure. I'd love to!!! I just have to clear it with Kenny.
JAZZ - C. Hatch asks:
How was your birthday party?
George Michael says:
The bits that I remember were great!!!
^_^ asks:
I'm from Shanghai, China, when I was in the high school, you
were very popular in our country, and we love your song like
"Last Christmas", "Careless Whisper"... and
we love you very much.
George Michael says:
Thank you so much. Visiting china was one of the most
fascinating things I have ever done though I think I was a bit
young to take it all in.
The Microsoft Network asks:
Will you ever go back to china?
George Michael says:
Maybe if they stop executing people for running a red light, who
knows...never say never.
Angel asks:
George, I really love Cowboys & Angels. What made you decide
on using that as your dress code at your birthday party?
George Michael says:
Well, actually the truth be known, I nicked the idea off of
someone else's party but they nicked my song title so I don't
feel guilty.
Novocastria asks:
Can you ask him what he thinks of the current 80's revival?
George Michael says:
Well to us thirty-something s it feels too recent to revive, but
we're all in denial. Actually I don't want to be responsible for
a second generation of misguided youths wearing curtain rings in
each ear, but I guess the 'revival ' will give Boy George
something to do with his spare time... :-)
Hi George ... love ya. lol [laugh out loud]
Junky asks:
If you were not chosen to be a "superstar" by some
chance, what profession would you have chosen?
George Michael says:
Typist! No question. :-)
Michelle Neely asks:
Do you have one basic quote or philosophy that you like to live
by?
George Michael says:
Not really, but my general philosophy I got from my mother which
is to get through life hopefully happy and fulfilled without
harming anyone or anything. If we all knew that much surely life
would be so much simpler.
Calm asks:
George, does it feel better to be out in the open about your
sexuality now?
George Michael says:
Well this is a simple issue for me. There is a world of
difference between being 'out' which in normal terms means
telling all of those in your circle of friends, and your family,
that you are gay - and being 'out' as a celebrity which
apparently means making sure that the entire world including
people who don't give a toss know who and what you are doing
with your genitals. I have been an openly gay man with everyone
in my life for a long time and that was good enough for me. As
for my fans I think I tried to tell them everything i could
through my work as opposed to using the media, but in all
honesty I think I blew that particular strategy in a big way :0)
Derrald Leo Mote asks:
Have you been offended by jokes or satires or did you take it
all in good humour?
George Michael says:
Ok ... the truth is that I've been seriously offended by the
lack of decent jokes on the subject and believe me if there were
any more out there I would have heard them, my mates make sure
of that. Actually, I heard a good one last week. George Michael
is worried about going through customs next time he visits the
States. Why? They might do him for handling swollen goods. And
they are mighty swollen, I can tell you.
Picard asks:
How did you feel about losing Versace?
George Michael says:
My friendship with Gianni was much overplayed after his death. I
really didn't know him very well, but i was appalled by his
death, of course. He was very sweet to me , I stayed at some of
his houses on the Faith toor ... tour! 'Toor' is probably Dutch
for tour anyway....
Devilish Angel asks:
George - I seem to have got older with you - do you mind that
the young guns now change nappies?
George Michael says:
Well, it has been 15 years. I can't expect you all to wait for
me....
LittleCow9 asks:
I noticed that Geri had associated with you after she left the
Spice Girls. She recently went to your birthday (Happy Birthday!).
My question is how is she? I've seen pictures of her "new
look," but I'd like your opinion on what do you think of
Geri now? Also how is she feeling emotionally?
George Michael says:
Geri is one of the most remarkable people i have ever met. I
really think that she WAS the Spice Girls...no disrespect to the
others. I met them and they are all great girls, but let's be
honest, who were YOU looking at when you watched a Spice Girls
performance? I don't think she is suffering under any illusions
about herself, but she knows that she has something special,
that people are interested in her. And I know that she plans to
use that something in a positive way. She will get there if we
let her.
Charlotte F. Hopkins asks:
What inspired you to write, "Jesus To A Child"?
George Michael says:
Simple answer. Anselmo Felleppa [a close friend of George who
passed away]. Sorry...Feleppa!!! One L! That's in case his mum
is online!!!
HernᎠRodriguez asks:
I'm a Queen fan too, and I want to say that you are the only
singer who performed a Queen song very, very well in the
"Tribute to Freddie Mercury." Don't you like to record
more Queen songs? Maybe with Brian, Roger and John?
George Michael says:
Thank you, Hernan. It was a great privilege to perform that
night, and I sang it the way that I tried to in my bedroom when
I was 12, guess it showed.
Vanessa Tapia asks:
What do think about Frank Sinatra's music?
George Michael says:
I think that Sinatra was the finest singer of his time and
probably ours too, but I did not respect him because of his
connections, and his actions towards others were well documented.
And respect is earned by what you do, not just what you do with
the gifts that God has given you.
Roger in Inverness asks:
Did you watch the World Cup ? Did you think England were unlucky
not to win ? What did you think of David Beckham's behaviour?
George Michael says:
Yes, I was screaming with the best of 'em last week ... no jokes
please ... and even though I was as pissed off with him as we
all were, let's be honest, one little mistake and, well, I can
relate, man....
Jewel, Manager, G NOTES, the largest George Michael fanclub
in the world, asks:
Do you feel obligated to tour? It's absolutely true that your
fans are desperate to see you perform, but personally speaking,
I'm more concerned with you doing what's best for George, not
for me, the future ticketholder.
George Michael says:
Hi Jewel! Well thank you for your concern, but even though my
fans know that I hate touring I really feel that it will be a
rewarding thing to do, and the support that people have shown me
in the last few months has really touched me. It makes the
prospect of being away from home for months a lot easier. But
thank you anyway. I hope you enjoy it , whenever it is...
Shawn Turney asks:
Now that you're "out", how do you think you'll
continue your public life? In other words, will you go
arm-in-arm with a male partner to the Grammys, like Ellen
Degeneres and Ann Heche??
George Michael says:
Well I've not had much of a 'public life' for quite a while
really, apart from the occasional sex scandal. But to start
doing things differently would imply that I have been dying to
get into a frock for years, and as I said the reality is that I
have lived an open life for years. In truth, I am not an
activist. I'm sure that my work with Aids charities will
continue, but otherwise I don't see things changing in any
drastic way.
Julianne Pearce asks:
You were close friends with Princess Diana. What is your fondest
memory of her?
George Michael says:
My fondest memory is of the first time I met her, but I don't
feel right discussing it here. There are so many people still
using her for their own benifit, and I don't want to be one of
them. Benefit!!! I really can spell! I just can't f*cking type!!!!
Melanie asks:
How do you feel about the fan tribute sites, and which are your
favourite sites?
George Michael says:
Well, I know better than to incur the wrath of individuals who
run the separate sites, but I can assure you that I am online
regularly...
Nobby asks:
We know the Greatest Hits is imminent - exactly when and can you
tell us about the new material on there?
George Michael says:
Well, I don't want to give too much away, but i am working on 3
tracks. And I should be finished within the next couple of weeks,
and they are rather bloody good....
The Microsoft Network says:
George, would you ever do movies?
George Michael says:
Well, this is a difficult one to answer because i am always
tempted, but the fact is that I can't bear to watch myself
onscreen, so unless someone offers me the sequel to 'The
Elephant Man', I doubt it.
Holger Pohlmann asks:
"Which are your favourite songs by The Beatles, ABBA and
the Bee Gees ?"
George Michael says:
Err ... Beatles: 'She's Leaving Home' ... ABBA(Dancing Queen,
anyone?): 'Winner Takes It All...oh God that s worse!!! Bee Gees:
'Jive Talkin', of course...
Shawn Turney asks:
What is your view on becoming a positive role model for gay
youth?
George Michael says:
I guess I don't really see myself as being a role model for
anyone unless gay youths are looking for advice on how to get
arrested, I suppose. But seriously, I have never tried to
influence anyone with anything but my music and hopefully that
will be enough.
Dani asks:
George, what CD(s) is in your CD player right now?
George Michael says:
Err....'Mezzanine', by Massive Attack. The album that our guys
Trigger are working on. The new Brandy album. Me...me...and some
more stuff by me.
Staci asks:
Whatever happened to your plans to move to Ireland? - it was
widely reported that you were interested in a property in Dalkey,
Dublin. We'd LOVE to have you over here!
George Michael says:
Sorry to disappoint Irish fans, but believe it or not the press
are LYING! I never saw the house. I don't have 80 million pounds
... and I've never even BEEN to Los Angeles!
Sonyam asks:
George - do you ever fancy girls?
George Michael says:
Well ... is that Denise from the Big Breakfast? Sorry, English
in-joke. But seriously folks, of course, you don't stop looking
just because you've decided that you are not going to spend the
rest of your life with a woman. And I don't think that I would
be attractive to women if I were not attracted to them. But
please don't hold your breath, love, I'm taken.
The Microsoft Network asks:
George, it's coming up to time for the last few questions...is
that okay?
George Michael says:
Ok ... but I am enjoying this, so if we go over time, that's ok
The Microsoft Network says:
Well we have plenty of questions and thousands of viewers ...
yes, please!
George Michael says:
Ok ... I just want to warn you: I get very expensive after
12....
Fred Chang asks:
What do you think about religion?
George Michael says:
Good question, Fred. How long have you got? I believe in God,
but I don't think that it is man's destiny to understand God.
Therefore we come up with our own ideas, mostly based on comfort
or fear. But I think that god and life are beyond the human
imagination, so I live my life as I said before, trying to make
the best of it and letting others do the same. Peace and love,
baby.
Chrissie asks:
George why don't you record a song in Greek - I always liked
Vassili Popaconstantino!!
George Michael says:
Who? Sounds like a cross between a lubricant and a musical
instrument! Sorry, Vassili! I don't think I will be performing
in Greek anytime soon. I've tried, but it always sounds like
someone trying not to throw up. It's a great language, just not
one that I can manage. Thanx though.
The Microsoft Network asks:
Why do you always wear black?
George Michael says:
You want the truth? Well, black is a pretty good bet when you
are colourblind, which my real fans will know about me...
Coolhag asks:
George, would ever do a fly on the wall documentary like Elton
John?
George Michael says:
Me? You are joking, right? Much as I admire Elton's honesty,
he's mad. :-)
...always leave 'em wanting more. Thank you, everyone, I've had
a ball, but you already know that.
Bye now!!!!!!! Love and thanks. George xxxxxxxxxxx
(((((((((((((((((everyone!!!))))))))))))))))))) [cyber hug]
The Microsoft Network says:
Thank you, George, it's been such a pleasure being online with
you and your fans....
And thank you all very much for being online with the Microsoft
Network.
Special thanks go to Capital
FM for their support and of course MSN International.
The chat was presented by MSN in association with Hotmail
and Aegean Records.
Copyright to the Microsoft Network and Aegean Records
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