In a May, 1985 interview in Playboy magazine, Boy George had several fascinating things to say — some of them mildly and also less mildly offensive (example: “A lot of drag queens are having sex changes, yes. I know hundreds. They are sad creatures; I was never sad.”)
But buried amongst the self-aggrandizement, brazen proclamations, and copious ego-stroking, there is one fascinating tidbit that stands out: the assertion by George that Michael Jackson had an alter ego named Houston Hawkins, and that this second identity would call Boy George on the phone to casually chat. From the interview:
George: I’m now convinced that Michael is two people.
Playboy: What do you mean?
George: About a year ago, Michael called me in the Virgin Records office in London. He was really sweet. We just chatted on for ages. He said to me, “I couldn’t speak to you until you got this famous,” and I said, “That’s rubbish.” He laughed and said “That’s just what my sister said.” I told him, “She’s right. Your sister is going to get on fine.” I was trying to be as natural as possible and I didn’t find him shy at all. Anyway, I gave him my home phone number. Pretty soon, some guy who sounds exactly like Michael Jackson starts calling my home phone number, but he says his name is Houston Hawkins. He’s shy and very ordinary, not famous at all—but I know that Houston Hawkins and Michael Jackson are the same person.
Playboy: Are you saying that Michael Jackson has a split personality?
George: I suppose I could be wrong… but I’m sure I’m not. It may be Michael just pretending to be Hawkins and getting a real kick out of doing it.
Playboy: Have you confronted Jackson about this?
George: I did. I said “Michael, you know, there is something going on…” But he never let on. I was in hysterics for a while. I couldn’t cope with it. Maybe Michael and Hawkins are two people. Maybe Michael has this friend called Hawkins. Or maybe it’s like Harvey—you know, Harvey the imaginary rabbit in the film. I think I can understand it.
Playboy: How?
George: I got famous just recently and I took control of every part of my career. Michael has been doing this since he was five years old and I’m certain it is a bit bewildering to him. He might want to be like Hawkins, just ordinary and nice. Anyway, I’d love to get really friendly with Michael and get to know him. I think I could liberate him a little bit. That’s what he needs.
