George Michael's former best friend is sued by singer's estate after releasing secret album and unseen footage of the Wham! star

The estate of George Michael, the renowned pop icon and former Wham! frontman, has initiated legal proceedings against Andros Georgiou, a close childhood friend, over the release of previously unseen material featuring the singer. This dispute centers on a secret album and rare studio footage from the early 1990s, which Georgiou recently made available to the public.

George Michael, who passed away at the age of 53 on Christmas Day 2016, had been working on an album titled Trojan Souls during the years 1992 and 1993. The project was notable for its ambitious planned duets with celebrated artists such as Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Bryan Ferry, Seal, and Sade. However, Michael’s involvement diminished after the health decline and subsequent death of his partner Anselmo Feleppa in 1993, leaving the album incomplete.

Andros Georgiou, who filmed approximately 90 minutes of candid footage during the recording sessions, has published this material as part of a film titled Trojan Souls - The Greatest Album That Was Never Made. The footage was originally shot using a camcorder provided by Sony during Michael’s Faith tour in Japan. Georgiou has been charging fans £4.99 for 48-hour access to view the film through his platform.

The George Michael estate contends that the release infringes upon intellectual property rights, filing a case at London’s Intellectual Property and Enterprise Court. The legal action names Georgiou and his distributor Tribe Media, as well as holding companies connected to Michael’s financial affairs. Estate representatives argue that the unauthorized dissemination of these recordings violates the late singer’s legacy and financial interests.

In response, Georgiou has publicly criticized the estate’s lawsuit, characterizing it as motivated by greed and asserting that the material was released with Michael’s prior consent. He claims the footage had been circulating unofficially on platforms like YouTube for decades, prompting him to take control of the distribution to prevent unauthorized profiteering by others.

Georgiou’s relationship with Michael spanned over four decades, beginning in their youth and continuing through the singer’s rise to global fame. Despite reported personal disagreements in recent years, Georgiou maintains that their bond was deep and that the legal dispute misrepresents their history. He has expressed willingness to defend his position in court, stating he possesses knowledge that could challenge the estate’s claims.

The Trojan Souls project remains an intriguing chapter in George Michael’s career, reflecting a period of artistic exploration interrupted by personal tragedy. The album’s unreleased status and the emergence of this rare footage offer fans a glimpse into an alternative creative path the singer might have pursued.

George Michael’s influence endures through his extensive catalog, which includes solo successes following his Wham! years. His 1984 holiday hit “Last Christmas” notably achieved the UK singles chart’s festive number one spot decades after its initial release, underscoring the lasting resonance of his music.

As the legal case unfolds, the music community watches closely, reflecting on the complexities surrounding posthumous releases and the stewardship of artistic legacies. The outcome may set precedents regarding rights and moral considerations when handling unreleased works of iconic artists.

Details about the court proceedings remain limited at this stage, with representatives for the George Michael estate declining to comment publicly. Meanwhile, fans continue to access the Trojan Souls footage, navigating the tension between preserving Michael’s legacy and exploring new revelations from his artistic archives.