UNITED KINGDOM: GEORGE MICHAEL CONDUCTS ON LINE CHAT WITH HIS FANS ON THE INTERNET
Record ID:
191300
UNITED KINGDOM: GEORGE MICHAEL CONDUCTS ON LINE CHAT WITH HIS FANS ON THE INTERNET
- Title: UNITED KINGDOM: GEORGE MICHAEL CONDUCTS ON LINE CHAT WITH HIS FANS ON THE INTERNET
- Date: 14th July 1998
- Summary: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 14, 1998) (RTV) ANDREAS GEORGIOU, COUSIN OF GEORGE MICHAEL SAYING, "AS YOU WOULD IMAGINE THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN HUMUNGOUS (HUGE). OBVIOUSLY WE'VE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA INTEREST SINCE GEORGE'S ARREST IN LOS ANGELES. YOU KNOW GEORGE IS DOING THIS FOR THE FANS. THE THING ABOUT WHY HE'S INVESTED SO MUCH MONEY IN AEGEAN.NET IS SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS COMMUNICATION DIRECTLY ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE FAN. I THINK THAT IS REALLY WHAT WE WANT TO BE. THE ONLY PEOPLE GEORGE CARES ABOUT OUT THERE ARE THE ONES WHO BUY HIS MUSIC AND THEN THE PEOPLE WHO LISTEN TO MUSIC AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE ON-LINE. ALREADY WE HAVE 25-THOUSAND QUESTIONS ALREADY IN A BIN, WAITING FOR GEORGE TO ANSWER. NOW A LOT OF THOSE QUESTIONS ARE GOING TO BE ABOUT THE SAME THING. SO THEY'RE ALL SPLIT UP INTO INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES. SO THERE MIGHT BE ONE HUNDRED QUESTIONS ON ONE THAT ONLY DESERVES ONE ANSWER SO GEORGE WILL ANSWER ALL THESE BEFORE HE ACTUALLY GOES OUT ON-LINE. SO IT'S GOING TO BE ALL KINDS OF THINGS FEEDING OUT IMMEDIATELY AT20.OO PM (19.00GMT) IT'S NOT GOING TO A WARM-UP OR ANYTHING IT'S GOING TO BE BANG OUT THERE TO AS MANY PEOPLE, WHO CAN PHYSICALLY GET ON-LINE, WHICH WE WOULD EXPECT 50-THOUSAND. MOST PEOPLE HAVE SEEN THE C-N-N INTERVIEW GEORGE DID. WE PUT THE TRANSCRIPT ON OUR WEBSITE AND RECEIVED OVER ONE-MILLION HITS OVER THE LAST MONTH. SO WE'VE KIND OF ANSWERED WHAT NEEDS TO BE ANSWERED. IT'S INEVITABLE THAT THE QUESTIONS WILL COME UP AND HE WILL BE AS HONEST AS HE CAN POSSIBLY BE. HIS PERSONAL LIFE IS HIS PERSONAL LIFE -- HIS BUSINESS LIFE IS HIS MUSIC LIFE. HE IS A SINGER SONG-WRITER FIRST AND FOREMOST AND THAT IS REALLY WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD SEE". (ENGLISH)
- Embargoed: 29th July 1998 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LONDON, HERTFORDSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM AND FILE LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES / CANNES, FRANCE
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVABZ5GG6H12JKKS1QIEMSUAQTKK
- Story Text: International popstar George Michael plans to reveal it all...this time on the internet.On Thursday (July 16) Michael will conduct two-hours of on line chat with his fans and he promises frank answers and maybe even some "Careless Whispers".
George Michael, who launched a web site for his record company, Aegean Records earlier this year, is now getting intimate on-line.
Michael has never exposed himself to such a public grilling.But on Thursday, for two hours, from 20.00 GMT to 22.00 GMT, he will answer questions from music lovers all over the world on his website: WWW.AEGEAN.NET.
Michael's cousin and confidante, who runs the record label, came up with the idea.He thinks it will be a huge success.
Andreas Georgiou says the internet chat gives fans the first opportunity to speak directly to Michael since he was arrested and charged in May for lewd conduct.
Michael, who made his name as half of '80s pop duo 'Wham', continues to thrill fans with such hits as "Fast Love", released two years ago on the album "Older".
He promises to be as honest and frank during the question and answer session.
Devoted Michael fans say they can't wait to get on-line with their pop hero.
Internet experts say that going it's an ideal way for stars, shy of publicity but under the spotlight, to communicate directly with their fans.But they worry thatquestions could be censored.
But Microsoft Network, which is setting up the techno chat that's on line to be one of the biggest of its kind, denies questions will be screened.
Michael, who fervently protects his privacy, was hounded by the media after his arrest.
The star, known for his shyness, hates interviews.But now the internet offers him the chance to cut out the media middle man and chat with his fans "One On One". - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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