Boy George’s Visa Denied

Sometimes British men named George just can’t get a break in the U.S. Whether you are an 18th century king or a 1980s flamboyant pop star, it seems inevitable that America will not want your presence within her borders. George Alan O’Dowd, better known as Culture Club frontman Boy George, is the latest to face this phenomenon as his visa to tour the States was denied Monday. 

Sometimes British men named George just can’t get a break in the U.S. Whether you are an 18th century king or a 1980s flamboyant pop star, it seems inevitable that America will not want your presence within her borders. George Alan O’Dowd, better known as Culture Club frontman Boy George, is the latest to face this phenomenon as his visa to tour the States was denied Monday. Boy George’s American Tour was to include a show for the City of New York Department of Sanitation’s family day on August 17th. The DSNY was supportive of the pop icon when he did his community service with them after being arrested for cocaine possession in Manhattan. Upon hearing that his gift back to the department could no longer happen, Boy George commented, “having my visa application denied seems unfair after I swept the streets of New York spotless.”

What did Boy George do that kept his record from being swept spotless? In an official statement, O’Dowd’s management explained, “this is not in respect of anything he has done in the past.” Rather, it is because of a trial the singer is facing in November for an incident that occurred last April (which is technically the past). That April incident was the false imprisonment and assault of a Norwegian man in O’Dowd’s East London home. Even though he faces trial in November, the British courts gave Boy George unconditional leave which means that the Karma Chameleon can come and go as he pleases throughout the world. However, as of Monday, the United States is not one of the places Boy George can visit. O’Dowd will have his lawyers look into the situation but it is unlikely that U.S. officials will reverse their decision. On the bright side, the streets of London will be clean as a whistle in no time.