Singer was criticised for promoting new single
While Jessie J and The Spice Girls were praised for their performance at this weekend’s Olympic Closing Ceremony, George Michael’s fans were not too happy about the singer’s choice of song.
Many found it odd that the singer’s decision to perform new single ‘White Light’ at the London 2012 Closing Ceremony instead of one of his more well-known hits.
He has now faced accusations that he was trying to plug the track to the 26.2m people in the UK watching on TV.
A representative has insisted that Michael chose to perform ‘White Light’ as it is “a celebration of being alive” and not for any money or record sale reasons.
“George wanted to perform his new single because it reflected everything he has been through in the last year,” the spokesperson told the Daily Mail.
“The song is a celebration of being alive because he was so close to death last year. It was his decision to perform a song from the past and song for the present.”
They added: “He wanted to perform it for fans… it seemed quite appropriate. He doesn’t need to plug his new single – it was just nice for him to sing it. “It’s a bit of a shame that it’s got this response because he was so excited to perform it.”
George Michael – ‘White Light’: