Boy George blasts ’80s star Marilyn: “Why are you siding with hideous transphobes?”

Boy George has publicly criticised fellow ’80s icon Marilyn after the singer shared a series of posts on X that the Culture Club frontman described as “siding with hideous transphobes”. 

The row began after Marilyn reposted an “anti‑woke” video from a right‑wing X account featuring trans influencer Lilly Contino, in which she calmly corrected hospitality staff who had misgendered her. Marilyn commented disparagingly on the clip, accusing Contino of profiting from discomfort and calling her behaviour “not cute”. 

Boy George responded directly and forcefully, labelling Marilyn a “right‑wing nut job” and expressing disappointment at his former friend’s stance. “Oh Marilyn, why are you siding with hideous transphobes? It’s all kinds of sad and disappointing,” he said, adding that mocking someone for not “pulling off the feminine look” amounted to cruelty. He urged Marilyn to show compassion rather than judgement, telling him: “Those who haven’t quite got the feminine touch are the ones you need to hug. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

Oh Marilyn, why are you siding with hideous transphobes? It's all kids of sad and disappointing. If you see someone who isn't pulling off the feminine look to your satisfaction and you get a kick of calling them 'sir' then you are just being cruel. Those who haven't quite got the…

— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) February 16, 2026

The disagreement marks a sharp public rupture between the two artists, who rose to fame together during the 1980s New Romantic scene and were once known for their close friendship and shared gender‑bending image. In the ’80s, Marilyn became a household name with his hit Calling Your Name and was celebrated for his androgynous style. 

Marilyn’s recent comments, however, represent a pattern of outspoken posts targeting the trans community. In recent weeks, he has responded to several viral clips involving trans women, misgendered Contino repeatedly, and echoed rhetoric associated with anti‑LGBTQ+ social media pages. In one post, he suggested that recognising gender identity contradicted God’s design, while in another he responded to a coming‑out video by telling a trans woman to “go back in”.

His stance has drawn particular scrutiny because Marilyn himself has long been considered part of the LGBTQ+ community, having been open about past same‑sex relationships and historically embracing a non‑conformist aesthetic that resonated with queer audiences. 

The fallout underscores a widening divide within some corners of the LGBTQ+ community over issues of gender identity, with Boy George positioning himself firmly in defence of trans people. The pop legend has frequently used his platform to challenge transphobic rhetoric, and his latest comments highlight his frustration with what he views as a growing tide of hostility online.