PK Kemsley, Boy George’s manager and closest friend, has addressed the singer’s departure from Jesus Christ Superstar for the first time, as debate continues over the Culture Club icon’s public support for Israel.
Kemsley, 58, who is also known as the husband of Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star Dorit Kemsley, confirmed last week that the 65-year-old performer would no longer appear as King Herod in the London Palladium production.
The exit followed the independent release of George’s pro-Israel reggae track, We Will Dance Again, which begins with the lyrics: “You say genocide, I say war/ When you’re attacked, that’s what the army’s for.”
In a statement shared on Tuesday, Kemsley publicly stood by the singer, saying George’s “courage should be respected not attacked.” The message was accompanied by a Star of David, along with an image of George wearing a jacket decorated with a sequinned Star of David.
Kemsley, who is Jewish, wrote: “As Boy George’s manager and his best friend, I want to be absolutely clear. I am completely behind him. For better for worse. Always…
PK Kemsley, Boy George’s manager and longtime best friend, has spoken out following the singer’s Jesus Christ Superstar departure amid controversy surrounding his support for Israel
In his Tuesday statement, Kemsley defended George, saying his “courage should be respected not attacked,” alongside a Star of David and a photo of the singer in a jacket featuring a sequinned Star of David
“He has spent his life being authentic in a world that rarely makes it easy. His voice has inspired millions and his courage to speak up for what he believes in should be respected not attacked.”
In his initial statement, PK did not clarify whether the producers asked George to pull out, if actors refused to work with him, or his withdrawal was to ensure the production did not become the target of hate mobs.
His full statement on Tuesday read: ‘As Boy George’s manager and his best friend, I want to be absolutely clear. I am completely behind him. For better for worse. Always. He has spent his life being authentic in a world that rarely makes it easy…
‘His voice has inspired millions and his courage to speak up for what he believes in should be respected not attacked. The support we have received has been overwhelming and humbling…
‘From leaders, visionaries and everyday people across the Jewish community and around the world. It proves that when someone stands for truth and humanity it strikes a chord that goes far beyond politics or controversy…
‘It goes straight to the heart. We are not standing still. We are building. Big plans are already in motion. Powerful partnerships. Meaningful events. Charitable initiatives. Cultural moments that will unite not divide. This is just the beginning…
His long-time associate, 58, who is the husband of Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star Dorit Kemsley, announced last week that the 65-year-old Culture Club singer would no longer be taking the role of King Herod at the London Palladium
‘Thank you to everyone who has reached out, shared their support and stood with us. Your messages your belief in what we are creating and your love for Boy George mean everything. We will keep going. Together. We will dance again.’
He signed off: ‘PK. PAUL KEMSLEY (PK) Manager. Best Friend. Always.’
Followers threw their support behind PK, writing: ‘Boy George is truly an Angel who has a wonderful Manager/friend in you… Well done for standing on business…
‘This is what true friendship, loyalty, and heart look like. In a world where so many turn their backs at the first sign of storm, seeing this level of unconditional support, respect, and love is deeply moving…
‘Boy George has given so much of his soul to the world through his voice and authenticity, and knowing he has someone like you standing fiercely by his side means everything. Here’s to unity, strength, and building a brighter future together…
‘Keep shining!… He is my absolute hero it is about time someone said it. Im not Jewish but beyond proud of you for taking this stand xxx’.
As reported by the Daily Mail’s Christopher Stevens, the song became available online through the DIY music platform Bandcamp, before the announcement that he ‘will no longer be appearing in Jesus Christ Superstar’.
George was one of five performers sharing the role of King Herod in the revival of the Lloyd Webber musical – along with Julian Clary, Richard Armitage and others – with Sam Ryder as Jesus.
Boy George’s record label, BGP, refused to release the track commercially. The singer called the decision ‘gutless’ and split from the label’s manager.
Followers threw their support behind PK, writing: ‘Boy George is truly an Angel who has a wonderful Manager/friend in you… Well done for standing on business’
He has made it clear that he wasn’t celebrating war: ‘The suggestion that I feel no compassion for Palestinians is both untrue and absurd. I am devastated for the loss of the innocent lives on both sides of this war and I call for peace.
‘I understand that it is uncomfortable to defend your friends when a war like this is raging, but the woman who sells me bagels is not to blame, neither is my doctor or publicist, manager, ex-boyfriend [Culture Club drummer Jon Moss, who is Jewish], or my thousands of Jewish friends. This song is for them.’
His stance is made clear through his lyrics: ‘You never mention October 7/ Young girls raped against trees/ Murdered brutally/ For the crime of dancing,’ he sings about the Nova music festival massacre, one of the focal points of the atrocity.
‘If you’re ever confused,’ the song continues, ‘I stand with the Jews/ I don’t feel brave, I just need to behave like a human.’
The chorus repeats ‘We will dance again’, a popular slogan in Israel, and the line is spoken in Hebrew at the end.
George makes no excuses for using AI to create the backing track. ‘I would struggle to write this with a human,’ he said.
U2 frontman Bono has been savaged for his refusal to denounce Israel after saying in August 2025: ‘The rape, murder and abduction of Israelis at the Nova music festival was evil. Hamas are not the Palestinian people’.
This was dismissed as ‘billionaire pacifism’ and ‘word soup’ by the Left-wing website Middle East Eye, run by former Guardian journalist David Hearst.
