Boy George prefers the rehearsal process to performing live shows after battling nerves his entire life.
The Culture Club frontman is known for his flamboyant stage persona but, speaking to GQ magazine, the Karma Chameleon singer explains it’s, “only been in the last ten years that I’ve realised that this is what I’m born to do.”
In my life I’ve always had one foot in and one foot ready to run, that’s been my survival mechanism,” says the hitmaker. “As I’ve got older I’ve learned to slow down a lot when I perform, to trust the process, which I know sounds really hippie.
“I’ve been working with an acting coach for the past two years because, after doing one particular gig when I felt really nervous, I decided to work on some self-empowerment stuff.
“It’s been really helpful for me to focus on everything else going on, rather than myself, and having an expansive view point, which you see a lot in theatre.”
He adds: “When I was younger I used to think it was about being in control, whereas now I understand that it’s the opposite of that, it’s about being completely uninhibited and just really enjoying it. I always enjoy rehearsing more than I do the gig.”
The Do You Really Want to Hurt Me star goes on to explain it was during a Point of Mastery course in the ’90s that he began to “challenge ideas about myself,” sharing: “During one group session I was asking loads of questions and kept putting my hand up, so the teacher took me to one side and said, ‘You might learn more if you just stopped asking questions.’
“I was furious. I remember being like, ‘How dare you? I’ve paid money to come here.’ He said, ‘So has everybody else.’ That was a really interesting moment for me.
“I’ve learned that not having to be the centre of attention is actually a relief,” adds George.
The star’s comments come as he continues work on a biopic about his life. The project is being written and directed by Sacha Gervasi, with former One Direction star Harry Styles in line to play the lead role.
