Boy George withdraws from Jesus Christ Superstar following backlash over pro-Israel song
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British singer Boy George has withdrawn from his scheduled appearance in the West End production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” following intense public backlash over his recent pro-Israel song.
The 65-year-old musician, who rose to global prominence as the frontman of the 1980s pop band Culture Club, was slated to play King Herod at the London Palladium from August 3 to August 15. His manager, Paul Kemsley, confirmed the departure on social media, stating that it was best for the artist to step aside to avoid disrupting the production.
The controversy stems from the release of Boy George’s song, “We Will Dance Again,” which references the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on an Israeli music festival. According to AFP data, that assault resulted in 1,221 deaths. However, the song’s lyrics—which include phrases such as “You call it genocide, I call it war” and “When you are attacked, that is what an army is for”—sparked immediate outrage.
In response to the criticism, Boy George claimed the track was produced using artificial intelligence. He later took to the social media platform Threads to defend his stance, questioning the discomfort surrounding the word “genocide” in his lyrics.
The singer’s controversial remarks arrive amid a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. According to health ministry figures cited by the United Nations, more than 70,000 people have been killed since Israel launched its military campaign in response to the Hamas attacks.
Kemsley defended his client’s right to express his views, noting that the singer has never shied away from his personal convictions. Nevertheless, the decision to exit the musical reflects the mounting pressure facing the performer as the polarized debate over the conflict continues to intensify globally.
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