Uploaded March 2017 | Updated September 2026, 59 minutes ago
"I’m more experienced sexually than I was as an 18 year old. So maybe it’s time for that to start reflecting in the music." - George Michael on November 10, 1986, as told to Joe Smith
George Michael was 23 when he sat for this interview, which has never been broadcast before. He had just embarked on his solo career after leaving Wham!. During the conversation, George Michael talks about his sexuality and shedding his pop-ballad persona ala Careless Whisper. He sounds confident in striking out on his own and sees a clear path to super stardom, but he openly talks about the fear that lurks within that fame might be his demise. He reflects on the power of his fame, as he recalls the historice trip Wham! took to play in communist-China in 1985.
You can hear the full, unedited interview on our website: blankonblank.org/george-michael
This interview was uncovered in the Joe Smith Collection at the Library of Congress
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Credits
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
David Gerlach
ANIMATOR
Patrick Smith
PRODUCER
Amy Drozdowska
COLORIST
Jennifer Yoo
MUSIC
"Everything She Wants" Wham!
"Careless Whisper" Wham!
via APM
"Take You Serious" Loz Netto
"Eighties Sound" Loz Netto
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Help us caption & translate this video!
amara.org/v/5PkI
"I’m more experienced sexually than I was as an 18 year old. So maybe it’s time for that to start reflecting in the music." - George Michael on November 10, 1986, as told to Joe Smith
George Michael was 23 when he sat for this interview, which has never been broadcast before. He had just embarked on his solo career after leaving Wham!. During the conversation, George Michael talks about his sexuality and shedding his pop-ballad persona ala Careless Whisper. He sounds confident in striking out on his own and sees a clear path to super stardom, but he openly talks about the fear that lurks within that fame might be his demise. He reflects on the power of his fame, as he recalls the historice trip Wham! took to play in communist-China in 1985.
You can hear the full, unedited interview on our website: blankonblank.org/george-michael
This interview was uncovered in the Joe Smith Collection at the Library of Congress
Recent Episodes
David Bowie
youtube.com/watch?v=lFIDXXDsxAo
Stephen King on Childhood
youtube.com/watch?v=YA2kzmoAsnk
Leonard Cohen on Moonlight
youtube.com/watch?v=f9-A4qLp7kg
Aldous Huxley on Techondictators:
youtube.com/watch?v=oIgjujAI6eE
Bob Dylan at 20 on Freak Shows
youtube.com/watch?v=Nrgs5ss0dv8
Patti Smith in 1976 on Getting Bleeped
youtube.com/watch?v=DKbCc0XKj8A
Frank Zappa in 1971 on Fads
youtube.com/watch?v=n5WEU30Iods
Tom Waits on Everything and Nothing
youtube.com/watch?v=SyrDfCSZJmI
Martin Scorsese on Framing
youtube.com/watch?v=QGyYOQbKDIQ
Carl Sagan on Extraterrestrials
youtube.com/watch?v=u9WHs49nlHk
David Bowie on Stardust
youtube.com/watch?v=lFIDXXDsxAo
Lou Reed on Guns & Ammo
youtube.com/watch?v=Jcd9BS2Ty_M
Kurt Vonnegut on Man-Eating Lampreys
youtube.com/watch?v=DzWMHIiGgWU
Credits
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
David Gerlach
ANIMATOR
Patrick Smith
PRODUCER
Amy Drozdowska
COLORIST
Jennifer Yoo
MUSIC
"Everything She Wants" Wham!
"Careless Whisper" Wham!
via APM
"Take You Serious" Loz Netto
"Eighties Sound" Loz Netto
"Disco Fever" Loz Netto
"Turn Back The Time" Andrew Peter Kingslow, James Alexander Knight
Help us caption & translate this video!
amara.org/v/5PkI
