Boy George pulled from West End show after pro-Israel AI song backlash

The song

Boy George, frontman of 1980s pop group Culture Club, released the reggae track "We Will Dance Again" on X on July 26, writing it with the help of artificial intelligence. The song opens with the lines "You say genocide, I say war / When you're attacked, that's what the army's for" and references the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, including the massacre at the Nova music festival. Other lyrics criticize fellow musicians who have voiced support for Palestine, describing them as "holding flags, mouthing like sheep." The track had been viewed by more than five million people by July 31, drawing both grateful and highly critical reactions.

Manager's decision

On Thursday, July 30, Boy George's manager Paul Kemsley announced on Instagram that the singer would no longer appear in the West End revival of "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the London Palladium, just four days before he was due to start a two-week run as King Herod from August 3 to 15. Kemsley did not explicitly mention the song, but wrote: "After long reflection, I have decided, in my capacity as Boy George's manager, that he will no longer be appearing in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' at the London Palladium. The decision was taken with the utmost respect for the producers, creative team and company."

“George has never been afraid to stand by his personal convictions, and I have always respected him for that. 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. In this instance, I felt it was right to step aside, allowing the production to remain the focus.”

He apologised to ticket holders and confirmed that Richard Armitage, currently playing Herod, would cover Boy George's scheduled performances.

Reactions

The song's release triggered immediate backlash on social media. Calls for protests outside the Palladium emerged, and Martyn Ware, a former member of the Human League and Heaven 17, described the track as "overtly pro-genocide." Boy George responded on X late Thursday, posting: "No matter what I think or what you think. When are you going to realize you're doing NOTHING? It's a fucking joke. I'm even falling out with Jewish friends. There are no limits to this madness." In a separate message he alluded to his departure by sharing an AI-generated image of himself with a Groucho Marx moustache and quoting the comedian: "I would never want to be part of any club that would have me as a member."

Earlier this year, Boy George had also signed a letter opposing calls to bar Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest, and in a June interview with The Daily Telegraph he said he would "always defend my Jewish friends."

The production

"Jesus Christ Superstar" features a rotating cast of five actors sharing the role of King Herod. Alongside Boy George, the part was to be played by Julian Clary, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Layton Williams, and Richard Armitage, who will now perform the dates previously assigned to Boy George. The production, with Eurovision star Sam Ryder as Jesus, continues at the London Palladium.