{
  "id": 46702,
  "title": "Boy George fires record label manager over pro-Israel song dispute",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/boy-george-fires-record-label-manager-over-pro-israel-song-dispute-46702",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-02T09:05:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/music-stage/2026/08/02/boy-george-israel-song-palestine/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Boy George has severed ties with his record label manager, Tony Pontius, following a dispute over a pro-Israel song, \"We Will Dance Again.\" The Culture Club frontman announced his decision on X, citing disagreements over the release of the AI-assisted single, which has faced widespread criticism for its stance on the October 7 attack in Israel and Gaza. Pontius, who had managed George's BGP label for years, reportedly refused to support the song, leading to their parting of ways. George defended his decision, stating that he would release the song and that the consequences of his actions would be felt by those who disagreed with his stance. The controversy has also led to George's withdrawal from the West End production of Jesus Christ Superstar, where he was scheduled to play King Herod from August 3 to 15.",
  "summary": "Boy George says the backlash over his pro-Israel song has now cost him the manager of his record label, days after he withdrew from the West End production of Jesus Christ Superstar . The Culture Club frontman revealed on Saturday that he had parted ways with Tony Pontius, who had run his Boy George Presents (BGP) record label for several years, after the pair disagreed over releasing We Will…",
  "key_points": [
    "Boy George fired Tony Pontius, his record label manager.",
    "Dispute over pro-Israel song \"We Will Dance Again.\"",
    "Pontius refused to support the song, leading to separation."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Boy George fires record label manager over pro-Israel song dispute",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/boy-george-fires-record-label-manager-over-pro-israel-song-dispute",
        "published": "2026-08-02T09:05:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}