CHARTING THE SONGS WE LOVE SO WELL
In 1998, a closeted George Michael found himself at the centre of a gay sex scandal that had the tabloids baying for his blood. So, he wrote a song about it and released an irreverant video, and in doing so redeined himself as a queer radical in the pop world. No wonder ‘Outside’ is his ultimate gay anthem.
Words by Conor Behan.
Feature: Music George Michael – Gay Icon – Outside
No star is immune to scandal, but few have the smarts to use a fall from grace as an opportunity to redefine themselves. In 1998 George Michael did just that.
In April of that year Michael made headlines worldwide when he was arrested for being caught in a “lewd act” in a public bathroom in Beverly Hills. According to a police press conference, an undercover police office “went into the restroom area and did observe Michael engaged in a lewd act. He was by himself. The officer observed the act and arrested Michael.”