George Michael’s sister hits back at Elton John’s claims singer was ‘uncomfortable’ being gay
Sir Elton claimed last month that Michael had ongoing issues with his sexuality.
By Will Stroude
George Michael’s sister has hit back at Sir Elton John’s recent claims the late singer was “uncomfortable”with his sexuality.
During an interview with US show The Talk last month, Sir Elton said that the former Wham! frontman Michael “was so uncomfortable in his skin about being gay even though he said he wasn’t”.
John added that he believed Michael “didn’t want to be here” and that he refused his offers of help in overcoming substance abuse issues.
However, one of George’s sisters has now rebuffed the claims.
Speaking to the The Big Issue, Melanie Panayiotou insisted that her late brother, who died on Christmas Day 2016 from natural causes, was “very proud to be gay”.
Panayiotou adding pointedly “Contrary to what you may have read recently”.
Michael came out publicly in 1999, a year after his arrest for engaging in a “lewd act” in a Beverly Hills public bathroom, and frequently referenced his sexulity in his music thereafter.
The ‘Faith’ singer had a famously tumultous relationship with John, who he famously collaborated with on 1991’s ‘Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me’.
The pair later fell out in the early ’00s, reportedly over Michael’s drug and alcohol abuse, but made amends before his untimely death in 2016.
Meanwhile, Micheal’s first original material since 2012 – and single called ‘This Is How (We Want You To Get Hight) was recently released as part of the soundtrack to Last Christmas, the new festive rom-com inspired by his music.
You can listen to the new track here.