Theater actor Patrick Clanton is speaking candidly about what he thought about Boy George‘s performance in “Moulin Rouge! The Musical.” In a social media post, the former bluntly stated he was ashamed to have shared the stage with the Culture Club singer. Clanton’s post came amid criticism of Boy George’s recently released pro-Israel song.
On July 28, theater performer Patrick Clanton took to Instagram Stories to share his real feelings about Boy George’s Broadway performance.
Clanton shared an article about the singer’s new song, “We Will Dance Again,” which is facing backlash over its pro-Israel message. “You know, I used to defend his performance in our show, but f-ck it,” the actor wrote, adding, “He was a terrible performer and I was embarrassed to be in the show with him. Boy, Bye!”
In another Instagram Stories post, Clanton shared that he always said Boy George was “really nice” whenever he was asked about working with him. “But as Sondheim taught us, ‘Nice is different than good,’” he added, referring to a line Stephen Sondheim wrote in the song “I Know Things Now” from the musical “Into the Woods.”
Boy George Starred In ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’ In 2024 And 2025
Boy George, born George Alan O’Dowd, gained fame in the ’80s as the lead singer of Culture Club, popularizing hits such as “Karma Chameleon” and “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me.” He made his Broadway debut in 2003, portraying Leigh Bowery in the musical he co-created, “Taboo.”
Boy George returned to Broadway in 2024 as cabaret host Harold Zidler in “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” and again in 2025 for the show’s second run. Clanton, on the other hand, was a principal standby for the characters Zidler and Toulouse-Lautrec, and was also part of the show’s ensemble.
While the singer’s fans enjoyed seeing him on Broadway, Boy George received poor reviews from critics. Lisa Verrico, writing for The Times, said of the singer’s performance: “It was weak at best, often inaudible and occasionally terribly out of tune.”
The Culture Club Singer Released AI-Assisted Song
On July 26, Boy George released an AI-assisted song, “We Will Dance Again,” which he shared on social media platforms, bypassing music streaming platforms. The pop-reggae track sparked backlash online, not for its use of AI technology, but for its pro-Israel lyrics.
The song opens with, “You say genocide, I say war / When you’re attacked, that’s what the army’s for.” He also referenced the start of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023, singing that girls were assaulted and killed “for the crime of dancing.”
If it wasn’t clear enough, elsewhere in the song, Boy George sings, “But if you’re ever confused / I stand with the Jews.”
The Singer’s Polarizing Song Divides Listeners
“We Will Dance Again” has proven to be a polarizing release, drawing a sharp divide among listeners. Some shared Boy George’s stance, while others criticized the singer, arguing that he is ignoring the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Many called out Boy George on social media, describing him as “tone deaf,” “tasteless,” and a “genocide apologist.” “You are already dancing over dead children and mass graves,” one person wrote. “If you weren’t an ignorant narcissist you’d feel shame,” another added.
On the other hand, many thanked the singer for spreading his message and commended him for being “brave” despite knowing the massive backlash he would get. “What a Mensch! I can’t stop listening to this. So bloody emotive,” one commented.
Boy George Says His Song Is ‘Pro-Peace’
Boy George has not released a formal statement about his song, but he has replied to some online posts. NME posted an article titled “Boy George shares pro-Israel song ‘We Will Dance Again’,” to which the singer replied, “I call it pro-peace!”
The singer’s stance isn’t surprising, as he has been vocal about his support for Israel. In December 2025, the European Broadcasting Union confirmed that Israel would be allowed to compete in Eurovision. As a result, some countries decided to boycott the event.
In April, Boy George defended his participation in Eurovision, saying, “I have many, many Jewish friends that I’ve had since I was 15 or 16 years old. Are people asking me as a principled human being to turn my back on my Jewish friends? It’s not going to happen, it’s never going to happen.”
