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The tragic final years of George Michael: A dark spiral of sex, drugs and heartbreak

The icon's film 'Freedom Uncut' and a book on his life by James Gavin provides fans with an in-depth look at his lighter and darker sides of life
UPDATED JUN 12, 2022
British singer-songwriter George Michael (John Rogers/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
British singer-songwriter George Michael (John Rogers/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

George Michael's 'Freedom Uncut' promises to be a compelling look at the life of one of the greatest singers regarded as one of the most influential cultural figures. It is also a tribute to the man who redefined dance pop. Narrated by Michael himself, the movie has rare and unseen footage and also features interviews with celebrities Elton John, Kate Moss, and Rickey Gervais. Per an in-depth piece in The Daily Mail, the film was called a "poignant and moving tribute". Following his sudden death in 2016 at the age of 53, the movie is now regarded as something that gives closure after Michael's life was a topic of gossip for years.

The film was also described as "feel good" and focuses on Michael's meteoric rise as a pop culture figure in the 80s and the 90s, however, Caroline Graham notes that music writer James Gavin's extensive biography of the 'Careless Whisper star will provide a different image that sees Michael's plunge into drug addiction and "sordid sexual activity" that rendered him suicidal. And throughout the tumultuous period, he actually hid his sexuality from the world. It was reported by the outlet that Gavin's book included accounts from more than 200 of Michael's friends. To put it bluntly, the singer died a "pathetic, lonely and broken figure".

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George Michael (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

It also added that one of the more stylish and charismatic singers for a good two decades spent his final years in the comfort of junk food and the company of male prostitutes. 'Coronation Street' and Haagen-Dazs were staples, as were drugs and cigarettes that took a toll on the voice that mesmerized millions.

George Michael: 'Gayer than a goose'

The feature also delved into his sexuality. Michaels publicly came out as a gay man in 1998 in an exclusive interview with CNN. His father, Alex, never came to terms with his son's sexuality and that was one of the reasons behind the 'Wham!' man's spiral. A close friend felt it was one of the reasons: "That conflict within George, that he knew he was gay but had to lie not only to the world but also to his dad, that was at the root of everything to come." That said, some of his friends and acquaintances were able to see through him from the very beginning.

Carolyn Montgomery, a model he met in 1985, reportedly said that Michael had called himself bisexual. "But he was gayer than a goose," she had remarked. The model also added that he did a "tremendous amount" of a mound of cocaine one of his friends produced. The other reason behind his decision to keep his homosexuality a secret for a long time was his heritage. It was looked at as a sin in Greek-Cypriot culture. Graham's article also added that his mother Lesley knew of her son's sexuality and was supportive. Her brother was secretly gay but committed suicide according to Gavin's book.

George Michaels during a 1984 concert (Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images)

The book also added that his PR gave him a string of "girlfriends" that included Brooke Shields and model Kathy Jeung to keep his image intact, but apparently, he would spiral in private. The iconic singer was revealed to have been part of reckless sexual encounters and was paranoid about his privacy that would often see him book a restaurant in its entirety. "He was so fearful of anybody finding out about anything," one of his friends told the author. "I think his whole life was based on that fear and I think he never reconciled it,’ said the friend. He was ‘a gay man packaged as a modern-day Elvis’ but felt a fraud."

His tragic first love story, the comfort in drugs, and suicide attempts

Michael fell in love with Brazilian stylist Anselmo Feleppa when he was 27. The latter reportedly stalked the singer in Rio and even managed to sneak into a party. Michael felt it was all rather "captivating". They moved in together to Los Angeles, but the relationship was kept hidden from the public eye. Even as questions regarding his sexuality mounted, Michael denied being gay. Things went downhill when the book noted that Feleppa was diagnosed with AIDS and returned to Rio. His death was what pushed the 'Faith' star to come out to his parents where he wrote an emotional four-page letter to his mother. It also said that his drug use went out of control following Feleppa's death.

Meeting Kenny Goss, a Texan designer in 1996 was supposed to be a new beginning. They were in an open relationship despite being together for 13 years. But the second nail in the coffin came in the form of his mother's death. The hits continued when he was arrested after looking for gay sex in a Beverly Hills public toilet less than two miles from his LA home. In what he claimed to be "one of the most humiliating moments" of his life, Michael was charged with lewd conduct and was ordered to do community service.

What followed was copious amounts of drug use. His friend called his parties filled with "free sex and free drugs, lots of both." Subsequent instances saw him being arrested for DUI. He had once crashed his Range Rover, and had once nodded off his swanky Mercedes and was found "lumped and drooling". It didn't help that he refused to acknowledge support from friends. Ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell was one of the people helping him but was often turned away by the singer. Even Elton John couldn't help.

Tributes of flowers, photographs and candles are left outside the home of pop music icon George Michael in The Grove, Highgate on December 28, 2016 in London, England. Singer George Michael died on Christmas day in his country home in Oxfordshire at the age of 53 on December 25.

His boyfriend in 2013, Fadi said Michael had given up on life after he threw himself out of a moving vehicle. "He wanted to die so badly. I think life stopped for him a long time ago. Everyone wanted him because of what and who he is. 'Everyone wants me alive,' is what he would say." The attempts just got worse when he was found suffering from hypothermia after spending an entire night in the swimming pool. A GHB overdose once found him unconscious as well. Micahel's rehab was an abject failure after he tried to stab himself 25 times according to Fadi.

The end finally arrived at Christmas in 2016. Fadi said the duo had rowed on the eve. While George slept in his home, Fadi had spent the night in the car. When he felt Michael, he was cold. The singer had breathed his last aged 53. As a singer and one of the more popular symbols, he had left more than £100 million ($123 million) at the time of his death and some home-movie footage that he had plans of making into a film. 

'Freedom Uncut' releases June 22, while 'George Michael: A Life' by James Gavin releases July 7.

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