Boy George

Bio:
Boy George (born George Alan O’Dowd on June 14, 1961 in Bexley, Kent, England) is an English singer-songwriter, fashion designer and musician. Boy George attended the Eltham Green School in Eltham. After school, he joined the New Romantic pop culture movement in the 1980s, living in various squats around Warren Street in Central London. Malcolm McLaren, the manager of the Sex Pistols, thought Boy George’s androgynous style of dress would make him a star and helped him join Bow Wow Wow. George left the group to form Culture Club. The band’s biggest success came in 1982, with the single “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” Their second album was also successful, but their popularity wanted by the time they released their third record. In 1986, rumors of drug addiction dogged George. The group broke up after keyboardist Michael Rudestsky’s overdose. After Culture Club, Boy George embarked on a solo career. He continued to find moderate success and underground hits in the 1990s. In the 2000s, he starred in the London musical Taboo, based on the New Romantics scene, earning a Tony Award nomination. He continues to perform and record music, while running his B-Rude fashion line.

Best Known For:
Boy George is best known as a musician, for his song “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?” and “Tumble For Ya”

Personal Life:
In 2008, George was convicted of assault and false imprisonment of Audun Carlsen, a male prostitute. He was sentenced to 15 months but was given an early release after four months. During the 1980s, Boy George wasn’t open about his sexuality. In his book, Take It Like A Man, he said he had a secret relationship with Kirk Brandon and Jon Moss. In 2006, he declared he was “militantly gay.” In 2015, he claimed to have had a sexual experience with fellow recording artist, Prince.