News

George Michael Caught Cruising

Everyone has a soft spot for a blushing bride -- except when the bride is blushing because he's been spied getting intimate with pot-bellied 58-year-olds in the bushes of public parks. Yes, George Michael has been at it again, this time nailed by Britain's News of the World for stepping out on boyfriend and spouse-to-be Kenny Goss.

Michael called in to a radio show later to set the record straight, and to speak on behalf of his beloved. "I've got no issue with cruising," he said. "I've talked about it many times. It's never been an issue between us. We knew with all the rubbish between us that we couldn't get a nice private wedding, so we've postponed it. But we had a lovely 10th anniversary party. My present to him was a million quid" -- or approximately $1.75 million -- "so I think I should get away with so-called fooling around."

As for Michael's bushy hook-up? The 58-year-old, identified as Norman Kirtland, consented to an interview, telling the tabloid that "I don't even like George Michael," but that the former Wham! singer had apparently used the right pickup line. "He told me I could contact him on the Gaydar website and we just started kissing. He did it very well. That was one of his major points. Then it was fondling and mutual pleasuring. It wasn't full sex but it was fantastic."

Michael, despite acknowledging that he was cruising that night, now insists that Kirtland is not the man he hooked up with, and even plans to sue Kirtland for libel. "I'm suing the individual involved who I have never, ever seen, let alone wanted to have any kind of sexual encounter with, and I'm currently investigating suing the secondary sources of libel," the pop star told BBC News.

--The ARTISTdirect Staff
07.27.06