British singer Boy George has spoken publicly for the first time about his four months jail time, calling the sentence a “gift”.
The 54-year-old Culture Club star was jailed in 2009 for the assault and false imprisonment of a male escort. Speaking candidly about the indecent, George said: “It’s something that happened, and sitting here worrying about whether it was the right thing and ‘Did I deserve it?’ … it happened. And I dealt with it.
“I went through the whole, ‘What have you done? This is not my life. This is a disaster,” he said. Before adding to ES Magazine: “But I always had the sense that I’d get through it.
“The gift it gave me was time with myself. I went into prison sober.
“I knew I had a lot of work to do. I’ve worked very hard at getting myself back in shape, getting my career back, getting my self-respect back.
“I knew it would take time, and it has. But I’m starting to feel the rewards of that work.”
The pop icon has just completed a stint on the fifth season of The Voice (UK) – something he admits he did in a bid to revive his career.
“The music industry of 20 years ago doesn’t exist,” he explained.
“If you’re smart you work out new ways up the mountain. I don’t want to become a TV personality.
“I’m first and foremost a musician. But people won’t know about that if I’m not on the telly. That’s why I’ve done The Voice.”
I have always been a fan of George… I love this guy’s honestly and strength!
