Wham! George Michael shuts web chatroom after careless whispers
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.He had few qualms about featuring his lewd antics in a Los Angeles lavatory in a comic pop video, complete with kissing policemen. But it appears that George Michael is not happy for others to take a pop.
Yesterday, he closed his official website chatroom because, he said, he was being "slagged off". After fans accused him of looking old and overweight as well as failing to promote his new album, Michael posted a lengthy explanation about why the site was closing.
He said he was upset by remarks "packed full of negative comment". He wrote: "There are plenty of places to read people slagging each other off, but I wasn't trying to create one in opening the forum. Those of you that want to carry on the media's work will have to do it somewhere else I suppose."
He added: "I feel bad for those of you who have always been supportive, but I'm afraid I want nothing to do with the bitching that has evolved between some members, (many members), and perhaps unofficial sites will be a calmer affair."
Signing off, he wrote: "Sorry guys, but that's the way itgoes ... Peace and Love ... or nothing at all." Many fans described his decision as ludicrous, one saying: "It's a fans' forum, it's freedom of speech, and I don't think it's down to George to take his ball home and say 'I'm not playing any more'.People have opinions and they are entitled to them; that's what a forum is for.
"This just generates more negative press for George and I have to say it's a bad move."
Another fan simply interpreted his actions as those of a "control freak", stating: "It smacks of someone unhappy we're not all heaping praise on him at every turn and that's sad. The people who read and contribute to these boards are fans."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments