Stunning George Michael tribute by artist who met his hero 14 years ago

"From a young age he made me feel like it was acceptable to be different in this world."
 By 
Rachel Thompson
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

LONDON -- A George Michael fan has painted a moving tribute to the music legend following his death on Christmas Day.

As fans around the world mourn the star's death, artist Pegasus took to the streets of Hackney in London, to paint a mural of his hero.

The artwork features the singer in pink, blue and black accompanied by the words 'Never Gonna Dance Again' -- lyrics from George Michael's 1984 single Careless Whisper.

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"I created this tribute yesterday using multilayered stencils which I drew and cut myself. It took me just over four hours in the freezing cold," Pegasus told Mashable.

"George Michael's music has always been a huge influence in my life. From a young age he made me feel like it was acceptable to be different in this world," the artist continued.

Pegasus says he got to meet the singer while working in a store in Mayfair, in London's West End.

"I was lucky enough to meet George Michael 14 years ago when I was working at a clothing store in Berkeley Square," said Pegasus.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"I was floored when he walked in and asked me to take his measurements! My hands were shaking as I measured his neck and I remember mumbling: "You are my hero".

Pegasus said he spent around 20 minutes with George Michael helping him with his selections.

"He smiled and said he was no hero."

Topics Music

Rachel Thompson, sits wearing a dress with yellow florals and black background.
Rachel Thompson
Features Editor

Rachel Thompson is the Features Editor at Mashable. Rachel's second non-fiction book The Love Fix: Reclaiming Intimacy in a Disconnected World is out now, published by Penguin Random House in Jan. 2025. The Love Fix explores why dating feels so hard right now, why we experience difficult emotions in the realm of love, and how we can change our dating culture for the better.

A leading sex and dating writer in the UK, Rachel has written for GQ, The Guardian, The Sunday Times Style, The Telegraph, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Stylist, ELLE, The i Paper, Refinery29, and many more.

Rachel's first book Rough: How Violence Has Found Its Way Into the Bedroom And What We Can Do About It, a non-fiction investigation into sexual violence was published by Penguin Random House in 2021.

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