George Michael

“With pop stars or film stars, we become the object of people's self-definition, as well as the object of sexual definition.”

“I used to believe that George Michael was a total actor. It was self-defeating, because it made me also feel fraudulent.”

“I still believe that music is one of the greatest gifts that God gave to man.”

“I have never felt any ethnic connection between the Greeks and me other than how hairy I am.”

“Apart from some of the videos and haircuts, I don't think I've made any wrong moves, ha ha!”

“Everything was going my way. I was happily marching into the history books. Then it all just fell apart.”

“In the years when HIV was a killer, any parent of an openly gay person was terrified. I knew my mother well enough that she would spend every day praying that I didn't come across that virus...”

“Your political system is actually too democratic. The fact that Americans vote on every bill and proposition can prolong bigotry indefinitely, especially where it is aimed at minority groups...”

“I had been obsessed with insects and creepy-crawlies: I used to get up at five o'clock in the morning and go out into this field behind our garden and collect insects before everyone else go...”

“I don't want to look at other people my age in leather. Why would I put it on?”

“I went through a long period where I was afraid of doing things I wanted to do, and you get your courage back, which is what's important.”

“The truth is my love life has been a lot more turbulent than I have let on.”

“I'm the luckiest writer on earth.”

“I never minded being thought of as a pop star. People have always thought I wanted to be seen as a serious musician, but I didn't, I just wanted people to know that I was absolutely serious...”

“Stars are almost always people that want to make up for their own weaknesses by being loved by the public and I'm no exception to that.”

“I'm not a novelty act from the '80s in most parts of the world.”

“Anybody who fights for human rights or to make this world a better place. Nurses, doctors, teachers: these are the people who deserve the credit these days.”

“Deep down, my ego always thought that I would outlast a lot of people that I was competing against.”

“I've achieved what every artist wants, which is that some of their work will outlive them.”

“You'll never find peace of mind until you listen to your heart.”