{"id":614013,"date":"2026-07-31T20:05:13","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T20:05:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/614013\/"},"modified":"2026-07-31T20:05:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T20:05:13","slug":"boy-george-exits-west-end-show-over-pro-israel-reggae-song","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/614013\/","title":{"rendered":"Boy George exits West End show over pro-Israel reggae song"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The manager for British singer Boy George<\/a> has pulled him from the West End revival of \u201cJesus Christ Superstar<\/a>\u201d days after the singer released a pro-Israel reggae song online. <\/p>\n

Last weekend, the pop star posted<\/a> on X a reggae song that includes the lyrics, \u201cYou say genocide, I say war \/ When you\u2019re attacked that\u2019s what the army\u2019s for\u201d and \u201cMusicians holding flags, mouthing like sheep \/ Propaganda fuelled by the Internet feels so weak.\u201d The post was met with swift blowback. <\/p>\n

On Thursday, the artist\u2019s manager announced on Instagram<\/a> that he was pulling Boy George from the West End revival, suggesting the pro-Isreal song might take \u201cthe focus\u201d away from the production. He had been slated to play King Herod in a London Palladium production from Aug. 3-15. <\/p>\n

\u201cAfter careful consideration, I have decided, in my capacity as Boy George\u2019s manager, that he will no longer be appearing in Jesus Christ Superstar at the London Palladium,\u201d wrote Paul Kemsley. \u201cThe decision has been made with the utmost respect for the producers, the creative team and the entire company. We are grateful for the professionalism and understanding they have shown throughout and sincerely wish everyone involved every success with the production.\u201d<\/p>\n

On Friday, the singer posted on X<\/a> that he was receiving calls with the advice to \u201cpipe down,\u201d but he said, \u201cIt\u2019s not an option.\u201d <\/p>\n

Since the October 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas and the military response by Israeli forces, several celebrities have spoken out on the bloodshed in Gaza, including musicians Billie Eilish and her brother, Finneas, and the Weekend along with actors Pedro Pascal, Susan Sarandon and Mark Ruffalo, among others. <\/p>\n

Kemsley continued that he has \u201calways respected\u201d Boy George for standing by his \u201cpersonal convictions\u201d but that, as his manager, he feels the responsibility to make decisions \u201cthat are in the best interests of my artist while also showing respect to others.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cIn this instance, I felt it was right to step aside, allowing the production to remain the focus, while ensuring everyone involved can move forward with mutual respect and goodwill.\u201d<\/p>\n

A representative for the producers of \u201cJesus Christ Superstar\u201d did not immediately respond to The Times\u2019 request for comment. <\/p>\n