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George Michael on Why Happiness Should Not Always Come With Pain
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Moneycontrol•21-10-2026, 18:05
George Michael on Why Happiness Should Not Always Come With Pain
- •Pop icon George Michael once challenged the belief that happiness and success must always be earned through sacrifice and suffering.
- •In a 1988 interview, the English singer admitted he previously thought he had to put himself through agony to deserve what he wanted.
- •His perspective separates genuine effort from the misconception that emotional pain or exhaustion is a mandatory requirement for self-worth.
- •Michael also discussed his struggles with perfectionism, control, and navigating rapid fame at a young age.
- •His enduring words remind people that they can enjoy good experiences and meaningful goals without making suffering a condition for success.
Key Questions Answered
In a 1988 interview with Interview magazine, George Michael stated that people sometimes deserve things without having to put themselves through agony. He reflected on his own misguided belief that he had to struggle and experience pain to prove he deserved success.
The remarks were made during a 1988 conversation with Interview magazine when Michael was 25 years old and celebrating the success of his debut solo album, Faith.
In the same interview, Michael described himself as a perfectionist and a control freak, though he admitted these were not qualities he necessarily wanted to possess. He also reflected on how his rapid rise to fame complicated his transition from school to adulthood.
