Boy George quits Jesus Christ Superstar after backlash over pro-Israel song
The 65-year-old singer had been scheduled to play King Herod at the London Palladium
Boy George has withdrawn from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar at the London Palladium just days before he was due to make his West End debut, following a backlash over a newly released pro-Israel song.
The 65-year-old singer had been scheduled to play King Herod from 3 to 15 August. However, his manager, Paul Kemsley, announced that he had decided to remove the singer from the production to avoid overshadowing the show.
Posting on Instagram, Kemsley said the decision had been made “with the utmost respect for the producers, the creative team and the entire company”.
He added: “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 said Boy George had “never been afraid to stand by his personal convictions”, but apologised to fans who had already bought tickets for the performances.
The controversy follows the release this week of Boy George’s song We Will Dance Again, which defends Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and rejects claims that it amounts to genocide.
The opening lyrics state: “You say genocide, I say war / When you’re attacked, that’s what the army’s for.”
The title references the slogan adopted in Israel after the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on the Nova music festival, in which hundreds of people were killed and kidnapped by Hamas terrorists.
Elsewhere in the song, Boy George criticises activists and musicians who have condemned Israel, singing: “Musicians holding flags, mouthing like sheep / Propaganda fuelled by the internet feels so weak.”
The track has prompted sharply divided reactions online.
The singer had previously described himself as “very connected to the Jewish people”, saying he had worn a Star of David since the beginning of his career and would never “turn my back on my Jewish friends”. He has also said he has compassion for Palestinians while defending Jewish friends against antisemitism.
The song is not currently available on major streaming platforms.
Boy George rose to fame in the 1980s as the frontman of Culture Club.