- The new Netflix documentary “Wham!” features never-before-heard audio interviews with George Michael.
- Michael reveals that he was convinced not to come out as gay to his father, which caused him to remain closeted.
- “I really wanted to come out,” he admits. “But I ultimately lost my courage.”
George Michael, now revered as an LGBTQ+ icon, spent much of his career hiding his true self due to advice from the wrong influencers.
The new Netflix documentary “Wham!” delves into the pivotal moment when Michael finally came out to his bandmate, Andrew Ridgeley, at the age of 19.
In 1983, the pop duo traveled to Ibiza, Spain, to shoot the music video for “Club Tropicana.” Ridgeley recalls how Michael called him one morning for a chat and revealed his sexuality.
“For me, his sexuality had no impact on our friendship,” Ridgeley explains. “I just wanted him to be happy.”
FG/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images
However, despite Ridgeley’s acceptance, Michael chose to stay in the closet for another 15 years.
Michael explains in the documentary that he was “persuaded” not to come out by the wrong people, with concerns primarily focused on his father.
Ridgeley reflects on their narrow mindset at the time, admitting that they were only thinking about their parents’ reactions.
Another aspect revealed in the documentary is Michael’s description of his oppressive upbringing. His father is also featured in an archival interview, portraying himself as a strict patriarch.
Michael acknowledges that he sought advice from the wrong individuals regarding his sexuality but does not explicitly name Ridgeley and Holliman as those influencers.
Later in the documentary, Michael contemplates how his ambition to become a superstar influenced his decision to stay in the closet.
He explains that striving to be the best-selling artist of the time made him wary of making his life more challenging.
Courtesy of Netflix
During their four years as a duo, Wham! achieved global success, selling millions of albums and topping charts with hits like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and “Careless Whisper.”
Ridgeley stepped away from the spotlight after their split in 1986, while Michael went on to become a highly successful solo artist and
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