Boy George has withdrawn from his scheduled role in the West End production of "Jesus Christ Superstar," just days before his August 3 to 15 stint as King Herod was set to begin. His management confirmed the decision on Thursday, stating it was made after careful consideration and with respect for the production.
The singer's withdrawal comes amidst controversy following the release of his new pro-Israel song, "We Will Dance Again." The song's lyrics reference the October 7 Hamas attack, with lines such as "You say genocide, I say war" and "When I know you wanna kill every last one of us." The chorus includes the lines, "There will be no war / But if you’re ever confused / I stand with the Jews / I don’t feel brave, I just need to behave like a human."
In a statement shared on Instagram, Boy George's manager, Paul Kemsley, expressed apologies to fans who purchased tickets specifically to see the singer. "We also recognise that many people purchased tickets in the hope of seeing George perform," Kemsley wrote. "To those fans, we offer our sincere apologies for the disappointment this decision may cause, and we are deeply grateful for their continued loyalty and support."
Kemsley added that George "has never been afraid to stand by his personal convictions." He stated, "In 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."
The production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the London Palladium features Sam Ryder as Jesus, Tyrone Huntley as Judas, and Desmonda Cathabel as Mary Magdalene. Several actors are rotating the role of King Herod, including Richard Armitage, Layton Williams, Julian Clary, Simon Russell Beale, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
The rock opera is scheduled to transfer to London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane for a 12-week run in October and is slated for a nationwide tour next year, with Sam Ryder continuing in the role of Jesus.