At Some Point Last Week, Boy George Lightened Up
Faced by a barrage of questions and flashing cameras on his first day of community service street cleaning in New York, the former Culture Club frontman snarled, "You think you're better than me? Go home. Let me do my community service."
But at some point he developed a sense of humor about the ordeal, mugging for the cameras. This was the Boy George that should have left the starting gate, for the bad attitude and failure to appear in court earlier in the year only instilled in the media a sense of schadenfreude when he set out to begin his chore.
George's manager Jeremy Pearce said things worked out in the end: "He liked the people he was working with, both those who were doing community service and the people who ran the Sanitation Department, who were very fair. It was hard work but he seemed to almost enjoy it. He put his back into it and did a good job. I think people were quite surprised. I think they thought he was going to be a diva."
Boy George says he'll throw a party for New York's sanitation workers but had a first order of business: "I'm going to go off and have a huge glass of champagne."
Now there's someone we recognize. I think everyone's glad this chapter is closed.
Perhaps the "public" part is closed, but has he returned the thousands of dollars in cash advances he took from various organizations for appearing at their events, e.g., White Party, and then skipped the country with after said arrest?
Posted by: Leland | Aug 21, 2006 2:05:22 PM
If he did that to White Party People, I have to say I hold him in much higher esteem now.
Good Boy.
Posted by: Marco | Aug 21, 2006 2:14:43 PM
He is wearing pink socks? Nice touch.
Posted by: Andrew | Aug 21, 2006 2:27:07 PM
Boy George? I'm sorry, I thought that was Divine in the bottom photos.
Posted by: JT | Aug 21, 2006 2:33:50 PM
BTW, Leland not a slam here. However, hasn't he been a bit busy as of late? Maybe the White Party should be happier that he is getting help for his addiction, and less for the few thousand they spent on his retainer fee. I thought the group that puts on the White Party was showing more of an anti-drug stance?
Posted by: Andrew | Aug 21, 2006 2:36:04 PM
Not a slam in return, but would you feel the same way about someone who robbed you personally of $8400? One trusts Care Resource, the group behind White Party, is, indeed, happy that his addiction is getting attention [however much against his will], but that money was/is needed for their HIV/AIDS services. On the other hand, having just checked out the site promoting the next White Party, I discovered that none of the anti Tina, etc., messages that they finally incorporated for the first time last year are still there. Doesn't excuse George's rip off, but it is totally despicable that they are back to "dancing with the Devil" and I hope people boycott the event accordingly.
Posted by: Leland | Aug 21, 2006 3:32:41 PM
You are correct on both points. I think we agree more than disagree. I have been in a situation when money was pledge on a cause and was never delivered. Makes my blood boil. Care Resource is a great cause-I hope he can make good on his promise soon. I'm just happy that you care enough to follow-up on it. Thanks. Many don't.
Posted by: Andrew | Aug 21, 2006 4:15:03 PM
why is it that you get caught with a ton of coke and you suddenly have an addiction? judgemental program people are just as bad as 'addicts' anyday.
Posted by: rod | Aug 21, 2006 5:29:35 PM
Two degrees (?) of separation (to stories above and below about his ex): I've read that Chip Arndt was the one who convinced the White Party people last year to finally include responsible drug messaging when he was working for Care Resource. He left to join a software startup he helped create and the policy disappeared, resulting in their return to the same self-defeating circle: use of Tina and some other drugs at such circuit parties linked to greater incidents of bareback sex linked to the increase of HIV infections that they then use the money from the event to treat. Sad.
Posted by: Tagg | Aug 21, 2006 6:32:17 PM