In his own words: Fame, creativity, sexuality
The pop icon at his most outspoken and introspective
Stunned and saddened by the loss, George Michael’s famous friends and collaborators spent the day after Christmas remembering and admiring the ’80s pop icon, who died of heart failure over the holiday.
Sam Smith hailed Michael as “one of the most magical, talented, bravest and important figures in music and life as I know it,” tweeting Monday that “I would not be the artist I am if it wasn’t for (him).”
Paul McCartney praised the star’s “sweet soul music” and self-deprecating humor, and Mariah Carey cited him as an inspiration.
Michael’s former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley called him “the finest singer/ songwriter of his generation.”
But few understood the 53year-old talent as well as he knew himself. Here are the best insights from his interviews with USA TODAY:
ON FAME
“I believe I have some kind of gift, but I don’t believe in myself as a star. To be happy as a star, you have to believe you’re really removed from people. I’ve never been comfortable with that. I know that deep down I’m the same as everyone else.” (1990) “I don’t think I will ever be a big star in America again. The music industry here is a hard sell. The only way to be a star again is to spend my life promoting myself in a way that I find cheapening.” (1998) “The irony about losing success in America is that it was really the thing I needed to lose. If I wanted my ego stroked, I could turn the radio on anywhere in Europe. I felt left alone here, and lucky. It was like being on holiday from me.” (1998)
ON HIS LOOKS
“The person I was four or five years ago was perfectly happy to stand in front of a camera all day. Now it makes me so miserable. I’ve never been happy with the way I looked. Maybe I needed physical adulation to make up for things I didn’t see in myself. ... I realize it’s not everything to be attractive.” (1990)
ON SUFFERING AND ART
“You find hidden depths when you’re faced with such pain. But I’m definitely one of those people who would rather be happy and less creative than miserable. I’ve been the tortured artist completely involuntarily for five or six years and I have no intention of doing it anymore.” (1998)
ON HIS SEXUALITY
“Over here (in the U.S.), it looks like I was dragged out, but I outed myself with the last album. I did interviews that said everything except the three words they wanted to hear. I was trying to retain my privacy and dignity without lying.” (1998)