Darren Hayes criticizes new posthumous George Michael music video: “He would be mortified”
After decades in the industry, singer Darren Hayes knows a thing or two about how how important an artist’s vision is. That understanding has him speaking out against a recent posthumous production of former gay contemporary, George Michael.Sony recently released a new video for Michael’s song “Fastlove”, compiled from outtakes and behind the scenes clips from the filming of the original.
These clips included set-ups for shots that weren’t in the original, incomplete dance moves, and plenty of clapboards.The full BTS video went up earlier this month:Related: Darren Hayes talks gay shame, his days in Savage Garden, and his new solo album ‘Homosexual’This weekend, the former Savage Garden vocalist took to Twitter to protest the video.Hayes argued that there’s a reason these outtakes were, well, taken out:I’m positive George Michael would be mortified by the ‘outtakes’ version of the ‘Fastlove’ video Sony just released.
He was so particular about his image and especially how he was photographed. It bothers me how corporations stop respecting artist wishes when they pass.
Cont.— Darren Hayes (@darrenhayes) October 16, 2022“There’s a reason why footage is left on a cutting room floor or demos are left unreleased,” he continued. “If an artist didn’t release something in their lifetime it’s safe to assume it was intentional.“I think it’s a real violation of the artistic process to dig up unfinished or unreleased material without a living artist’s express consent.”Responses ranged from commenters criticizing Sony for the move to bringing up other such instances.
