Boy George exits Jesus Christ Superstar after pro-Israel song backlash
Boy George will no longer play King Herod at the London Palladium after criticism of his AI-made song “We Will Dance Again.”
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
Boy George Jesus Christ Superstar plans at the London Palladium are off, with the singer dropping out of the production days after criticism erupted over his pro-Israel song “We Will Dance Again,” according to Variety.
Paul Kemsley, Boy George’s manager, announced on social media that the Culture Club frontman would no longer appear in the show. Kemsley said the decision was made out of respect for the production’s producers, creative team and company, and he apologized to fans who bought tickets expecting to see George perform.
Boy George had been scheduled to play King Herod from Aug. 3 through Aug. 15, Variety reported. The London run’s cast also included Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Richard Armitage, Simon Russell Beale, Layton Williams and Julian Clary.
Why did Boy George leave Jesus Christ Superstar?
Kemsley did not say in his statement that the song controversy directly caused the exit. He wrote that George stands by his personal convictions, but said he believed stepping aside was the right move so the production could stay at the center of attention.
The change came after Boy George posted “We Will Dance Again” on social media under the Hebrew title “עוד נרקוד,” which Variety said translates to “We Will Dance Again.” The track drew backlash for lyrics that reject the word genocide and frame the conflict as war after an attack.
In one lyric quoted by Variety, George sings: “You say genocide, I say war.” Another line says: “When you’re attacked, what’s what the army’s for.” Variety reported that George later said he created the track using AI.
Boy George, 65, had not directly addressed his departure from the musical as of Variety’s report. He did, however, post on X on Thursday about the reaction to the song, writing that arguments over what people think were accomplishing “NOTHING” and saying he was falling out with Jewish friends.
“Jesus Christ Superstar,” the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical, includes King Herod as a brief but memorable role. George’s planned appearance at the Palladium would have put him in the part for less than two weeks.
The production has not been reported by Variety as canceled or delayed. Kemsley’s statement framed the decision as a way to let the show continue without the dispute around George becoming the main event.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.