George Michael has admitted his life didn’t get easier after he came out as gay.
The Fastlove singer revealed he was homosexual on CNN in 1998 shortly after being arrested for “lewd behaviour” in a Beverly Hills park.
But whether the revelation had been intentional or not, it didn’t make things any simpler in the period after he confirmed his sexuality.
“For some strange reason, my gay life didn't get easier when I came out. Quite the opposite happened, really," he recalled to the BBC.
“The press seemed to take some delight that I previously had a 'straight audience,' and set about trying to destroy that. And I think some men were frustrated that their girlfriends wouldn't let go of the idea that George Michael just hadn't found the 'right girl' [yet].”
The 50-year-old went on to have a 13-year relationship with Kenny Goss but the couple ended their romance in 2011.
Now single, George also claims he has no regrets about keeping his sexual orientation a secret all those years ago.
“In the years when HIV was a killer, any parent of an openly gay person was terrified. I knew my mother well enough that she would spend every day praying that I didn't come across that virus. She'd have worried like that,” the former Wham! star revealed.
George is now back with a new album, Symphonica, his first in 10 years.
While the record contains songs recorded from recent tours, the musician says he is also working on new material.
“[I’d] like to do something for the gay community. Possibly a dance album,” he said.
