Boy George is a music legend — but that doesn’t mean the 80s superstar is afraid to admit when he thinks another musician does his music better.
“We have done a version of ‘Do You Really Want To Hurt Me,’ which we sent to Sia last year,” George, real name George Alan O’Dowd, exclusively told Us Weekly while attending the Planet Hollywood grand opening in Time Square on Wednesday, March 12.
“Basically you just said, ‘Do what you want? And when we got it back, you were like, ‘Ooh, this is fun,” the singer said of Sia’s rendition of his hit 1982 song. “And it is kind of like, am I allowed to say, it’s better than the original?”
The 80s icon went on to explain that he feels like Sia’s version of his song “cut the small talk out.”
“I feel like Sia just kind of sent it back with a rocket up its house,” he added. “Obviously I’m a big fan, so yeah — it’s beautiful.
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Unlike the 80s, George told Us that making music and working in the entertainment business is “more fun now” in part because he believes there “are less rules” musicians and entertainers have to follow.
“I mean, obviously I do my 80s stuff with Culture Club and I like that,” he explained. “But also, I get to do all sorts of things. I’m DJing tonight. I have a very varied [workload] — I’m doing Broadway. I’m always doing something.”
It was announced in November 2024 that George was returning to the cast of Broadway’s hit show Moulin Rouge! The Musical this year. The singer first made his Broadway debut in 2003, co-writing and starring in the musical Taboo, for which he received a 2004 Tony nomination for Best Original Score. George is now returning to his role of Harold Zidler — a character he first played via a limited engagement from February 6, 2024 through May 12 of the same year.
“I like working,” George told Us on Wednesday. “I think I’m a rare breed.”
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When asked if there is anything George does to prepare for a big show or DJ set, the singer said that he keeps things simple with a start-of-the-day affirmation.
“[I] Put myself in a good mood,” he replied. “Always. Really for me, when I wake up, I always say, ‘Today’s going to be beautiful.’ You know what I mean? I mean, that’s always got to be the starting point… and it just gets better.”
While the legendary musician is candid about his pre-show preparations, one topic he can’t — or won’t — touch is his friendship and rumored collaboration with The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills husband Paul “PK” Kemsley.
“I can’t say anything about that,” George teased to Us. “There’s so much I’d love to say, but I will not.”
Reporting by Christina Garibaldi
