I don't want to look at other people my age in leather. Why would I put it on?
— George Michael
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 lucky to be alive.
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 about pop music.
I had to walk away from America, and say goodbye to the biggest part of my career, because I knew otherwise my demons would get the better of me.
It's only when the kids are in their late twenties that families really face up to what they are.
I'm not a novelty act from the '80s in most parts of the world.
I'm surprised that I've survived my own dysfunction, really.
I mean, I've done different things at different times that I shouldn't have done, once or twice, you know.
I've been very well remunerated for my talents over the years so I really don't need the public's money.
I've achieved what every artist wants, which is that some of their work will outlive them.
I don't really think that there is anyone in the modern pop business who I feel I want to spar with.
If I can just live further from the spotlight I think that'll be better for all really.
Celebrity and secrets don't go together. The bastards will get you in the end.
I left school at 17 and was a star by the time I was 18 - in certain parts of the world anyway.
I think the media is a real demon.
I'm not anti-American. I've lived with Kenny, a Texan, for six years.
I don't consider Americans bullies, but I do consider the American government bullying.
There is no such thing as a reluctant star.
I went to prison, I paid my bill.
If someone really wants to hurt you, they'll find a way whatever. I don't want to live my life worrying about it.
My depression at the end of Wham! was because I was beginning to realise I was gay, not bi.
I don't have joy in watching myself, whereas, actually, I quite like listening to my own music.
I have got other interests than just making music. I would like to follow those interests through.
I watch people who are not driven by creativity any more, and I think how dull it must be to produce the same kind of thing. If you don't feel you're reaching something new, then don't do it.
You can't imagine what it's like playing to people who have been loyal to you for 25 years and haven't seen you for 15.
I have never felt any ethnic connection between the Greeks and me other than how hairy I am.
I've written a whole body of work that I'm incredibly proud of.
I'm the luckiest writer on earth.
It's absolutely essential that we have the same safeguards that straight couples do. But I want more than a 50 percent chance of success. I don't want to emulate that.
Everything was going my way. I was happily marching into the history books. Then it all just fell apart.
I spent years growing up being told what my sexuality was.
I want to make a pop album - something more upbeat than my stuff was in the '90s.
I've never done anything so political before. I've spent years shouting my mouth off about serious issues over dinner tables but never really had the confidence to express my views in a song.
I have never thought about my sexuality being right or wrong. To me it has always been a case of finding the right person.
I have to believe that somebody up there thinks I've still got some work to do.
I can't bear Catholicism.
I'm just not security-minded.
The fact I had my father as an adversary was such a powerful tool to work with. I subconsciously fought him to the degree that I drove me to be one of the most successful musician in the world.
I really have no plans for any kind of career in TV or anything, but if I wanted to become good at it, I could. But I don't really think it's in the cards.
The '90s were a bit of a disaster for me in so many ways. On a personal level, I don't think I could have toured. Also, I had some physical problems with my back that are now sorted and I just wasn't in the right state of mind.
My ego is sated.
The truth is my love life has been a lot more turbulent than I have let on.
I am a political person, though not with a big P.
It's almost required with major artists that there's some duality. And I've got duality everywhere.
I have more love, success, and security than I could ever dream of.
There's no comfort in the truth, pain is all you'll find.
I define my sexuality in terms of the people that I love.
I think for most of us, our biggest frailties are sexual.
I would advise any gay person that being out in the real sense can never happen too soon.
