Gender-bending 80s singer and DJ Boy George, 47, was denied a visa to the US as he awaits trial in England. George planned to tour the US this summer and will have to stay put in the UK instead. George has been denied a visa due to a pending trial for false imprisonment charges.
In April, 2007 Norwegian prostitute Auden Carlson, 28, met George on Gaydar.com and agreed to come over to his London place to pose for erotic photos at a rate of $800. Carlson says that George and another guy took photos of him in fetish gear, and when the other guy left George handcuffed him to a hook on the wall, menacingly brandished sex toys and said “now you’ll get what you deserve.” Carlson escaped and called the cops, and it’s unclear if he got what George said he deserved, if he escaped unscathed, and/or if he got the cash he was promised for the photo session.
George will be tried for that case in Britain on November 22. He also has a criminal record in the states after he pled guilty to cocaine possession in NY. Police found 13 bags of the stuff when responding to a burglary call at his place in October, 2005. George said the drugs weren’t his and that a lot of people were in and out of his apartment, but he eventually copped a plea in exchange for community service and a stint in rehab.
Now he’s talking about his inability to enter the US and perform. The flamboyant singer appeared on The Today Show this morning wearing a bright red hat with green applique bugs and full makeup including shimmering green eyeshadow, bronze lipstick and giant penciled-on eyebrows.
Here’s a partial transcript of George’s appearance on the Today Show this morning.
Meredith Viera: “24 concert dates starting today, you’ve got to be frustrated, being denied this visa.”
Boy George: “I’m feeling very upbeat at the moment. Yes it’s disappointing because of the fans. A lot of people have bought airline tickets, so I’m disappointed for them, but it doesn’t happen it will happen in the new year…
I will come back… but I’d love to come now obviously.”
Boy George: I got “so much love” during community service in America
George confirmed to Meredith that he won’t be able to come to the US until he’s faced trial in the UK, and mentioned his community service, saying “I came and swept the streets of New York and did a great job, and as far as my problems in America are concerned I feel like I did a great job… paid my dues.”
George spoke of the love he received from the people who saw him pushing a broom, saying “When I came to my community service I got so much love everyday… apart from the press thing… I was surprised by how much affection I received… I didn’t feel humiliated I thought it was a great experience.”
Meredith Viera asked him if he’s angry that he’s being accused of false imprisonment and he said “Anger.. what good is that going to do me?”
George says he’s touring in the UK in October and there’s no reason to get upset because he doesn’t have a visa.
Boy George: “The happiest I’ve ever been”
Meredith asked him about a recent statement on his website that he’s happy and getting his life together and George said “I’m sober, I’ve put my head back on the right way… I’m the happiest I’ve been possibly in a long time.”
George said he’s not going to get upset or “have a hissy fit” and that “there’s no point.”
Boy George is shown at the opening of the RS Lounge Club on 6/11/08, thanks to WENN.
OK, we’ll let him come if they take Martha Stewart.
BAN NAOMI TOO.
NO SYKO!!! Don’t let them take My Martha!!!
They can take – and KEEP – Gwyneth and Madonna. How about that?
No way, Martha is a national treasure! 😆
Actually I like Martha, thought she did her time with a great deal of class and poise (unlike some of the 90 minute sentences others get for more-apt-to-injure-others crimes), and I just this week bought a set of sheets from her and they are all ruffly and girly and lacy and I feel princessy when I go to bed.
The thing is, she WANTED to go there, and they wouldn’t let her.
I agree, keep Mad-dog-donna and Fishsticks Paltrow. Let in The Boy!
Then don’t chain male hookers to radiators if you want to make some much needed money and sing here in the US of A.
Ah let him in, what’s the harm? He’s a sweet guy. He got a bit carried away, is all. And Martha should be allowed in here if she wants. When you think of all the shitty people (I’m looking at you, Naomi, military dictators, umpteen bigots/racists of every shade) who can trot freely across the globe, it beggars belief the people both the UK and USA choose to make examples of. 🙄
Well, geronimo, at least Gordon Brown has taken Robert Mugabe’s knighthood away. Which is a start 😀
But I’m glad to hear he’s starting to tour and make a bit of cash again. It was really sad to hear about him selling t-shirts from a stall in Covent Garden (but fair play to him for not letting his pride get in the way of making a wage)
God, I’m beginning to sounds like my mother (and my Gran, lord rest her soul), and other women of her age.
No matter what he does, every single time he’s mentioned it’s “Awwwww poor George, he’s lovely, awww” 😆
Lol, but he IS tho’, Mairead. He’s just got something about him that makes you want things to go well for him. The market stall t-shirt selling made me like him even more – that speaks volumes about him, not a guy that sits home sulking and feeling sorry for himself. He picks himself up, dusts himself down and moves on.
Retire with some dignity, George. Your time came and went, remember it and laugh out loud.
I think tying someone up like that – he should go to jail !