Boy George Withdraws From London Musical Amid Controversy Over Pro-Israel Song

Days after releasing a controversial pro-Israel song titled "We Will Dance Again," Boy George withdrew from the London production of the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar." He was scheduled to play King Herod from August 3 to 15 at the London Palladium. His manager announced on social media that Boy George would no longer participate, citing respect for the producers, creative team, and cast. The manager apologized to fans who had purchased tickets and emphasized the decision was made to prioritize the production and maintain mutual respect among all involved.

Earlier that week, Boy George faced criticism after posting the song on social media. The lyrics reference the October 7 massacre at the Nova Festival, addressing accusations of genocide and war, and include a chorus affirming support for Jews while calling for peace. The song ends with Hebrew lines repeating the phrase "You say genocide / I say war / When they come to kill you." The post sparked a wave of pro-Palestinian responses, prompting Boy George to respond on X (formerly Twitter), expressing frustration over the divisiveness and stating he even argued with Jewish friends over the issue.

Boy George, raised in an Irish-Catholic household and not Jewish, has previously expressed support for Israel. Earlier this year at a Eurovision event in London, he affirmed his longstanding friendships with Jewish people and rejected calls to boycott Israel, including those from the BDS movement. His withdrawal from the musical follows the backlash from his song, which stirred significant debate online.