My Letter to George Michael

Dear George Michael,

I hope this letter finds you detoxed and in good spirits. It's not my right to judge your party habits, but mixing marijuana, GHB and antidepressants then passing out in the middle of an intersection (more) has me a little concerned, GM.

I know you have a fear of cameras (more), but incidents like these only attract more cameras, especially on the heels of your hugely popular "25 Live" Tour.

It's been so long since we felt that high (no pun intended) our ex-Wham superstar, George Panayiotou, once gave us. Have you forgotten your classic album Faith? I remember the embarrassment and equal excitement I felt as a kid listening to "I Want Your Sex" on the radio. I was an instant fan, even though I was too young to know what sex I actually wanted. All I could think about was you in those tight leather pants. You inspired my tight pants for many years afterward.

And then you came out (of the closet and the bushes) in 1998. I still loved you, though; and every gay man with a pulse worthy of checking bought the double disk, Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael.

I know we American fans can be somewhat fickle, but when your deep depression—well—brought us down, we had no choice but to wonder if our man would ever return. I'm sure the ups and downs with your American Angel (Kenny Goss) only added to the dark mood of Patience, which had lyrics depressing enough to make Rachel Ray want a Xanax. This self-confessed momma's boy can't imagine the impact of losing a mother either, but it's been more than 10 years, George; and now it seems like you're starring in the classic run towards ruin scenario.

I'm trying not to run out of patience, George. After all, Whitney Houston is consuming most of my comeback hope. It did touch my heart when you donated your $2.9 million John Lennon "Imagine" piano to Virginia Tech University (more). Your spokesperson said your "deepest wish is to imagine a world of peace." I know you care deeply about the world. We also saw that when you adjusted your concert schedule to fly to Bulgaria in support of the sentenced nurses (more).

What about your inner peace, though, George? They say you're thinking of leaving the U.K. to escape the bad publicity (more). "I have started thinking for the first time in my life that actually I shouldn't be living here," you confessed. But if there is anything we've learned from three seasons of Lost, it's that you can't run from your problems. They will only draw you back to the isolation of the island. Will you try and help yourself—perhaps by healing through your music and leaning on your fans? Until then, I'll be here listening to George Michael: 25... Waiting... patiently.

Your fan,
Ramon