UNITED KINGDOM: GEORGE MICHEAL GOES ON THE INTERNET TO FIELD QUESTIONS RANGING FROM THE BANAL TO THE BIZARRE

Record ID: 191293

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: GEORGE MICHEAL GOES ON THE INTERNET TO FIELD QUESTIONS RANGING FROM THE BANAL TO THE BIZARRE
  • Date: 16th July 1998
  • Summary: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 17, 1998) (RTV ) ANDREAS GEORGIOU, COUSIN OF GEORGE MICHAEL SAYING, "REALLY MUSICAL. WHAT INSPIRED YOU? WHY DID YOU CALL YOUR ALBUM OLDER? WHY DID YOU DO FAST LOVE? DID YOU LIKE MAKING RECORDS WITH ARETHA FRANKLIN? SO MUSICAL. THAT'S REALLY WHAT GAVE GEORGE MICHAEL A BUZZ. GEORGE WAS VERY HONEST IN EVERYTHING HE SAID. THERE WAS A LOT OF HUMOUR IN THE INTERVIEW. HE DID ANSWER QUESTIONS ON HIS SEXUALITY AND HIS ARREST IN AMERICA, ALTHOUGH BRIEFLY. BUT THERE WASN'T THAT MANY THAT CAME THROUGH. IT PROVED TO ME IT REALLY WAS THE FAN SPEAKING AND NOT JUST THE PUNTER ON THE STREET." (ENGLISH)
  • Embargoed: 31st July 1998 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA99X2RTINNVZVSPYYIQGTAXFGD
  • Story Text: International pop star George Michael has sold over 60- million records, But on Thursday (July 16) it was his fans' turn to make the hits.The singer went live on the internet to field questions ranging from the banal to the bizarre.

    Singer George Michael subjected himself to a public grilling for two hours on Thursday.At the London studios of his record label, Aegean, the singer went on line to answer hundreds of questions from fans around the world on his website: WWW.AEGEAN.NET.

    Some people wanted to know about his next album.Others wanted to tell him how much they love his music.One fan even asked whether Michael did his own shopping.And of course many fans wanted to know about Michael's sexuality, after he was charged with lewd conduct in April.

    But Michael was prepared to speak candidly about his life and homosexuality during the chat.

    When one fan asked what he thought about the World Cup and David Beckham -- the English footballer sent off during a crucial World Cup match -- Michael compared it to his arrest.

    He said he could relate to a "little mistake".

    Michael's cousin and confidante, who runs the Aegean label came up with the idea of the internet chat.

    Andreas Georgiou says it gave fans the first chance to speak directly to Michael since he was arrested in a Los Angeles toilet.But Georgiou said that most of the fans questions were musical.

    Since the chat, around 500-thousand people have checked out Michael's web page, taking a look at the transcript of the Q & A.

    But web experts said that Michael did not make full use of his opportunity to reveal himself to his fans and that nothing new came up in the chat.

    But they said that the net was an ideal way for shy stars to get in touch with their fans.

    Michael got his start as half of '80s pop duo "Wham" but has become a super star as a solo artist.

    He's now recording three new tracks for a greatest hits album, out in November.And he's planning a world tour early next year.

    Georgiou says that during the tour Michael may even link up one of his concerts to the internet - so that absent fans can log on to the live show.

    But on Thursday, instead of performing at a jam-packed stadium, Michael got the chance to chat with his fans...one on one.
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