US:Singer Boy George tried out a new look yesterday - that of a street sweeper's orange vest - as he reported for his first day of community service with the New York City department of sanitation.
It was not long before he was involved in a clash with the media. "You think you're better than me?" he yelled. "Go home. Let me do my community service."
Boy George took to the streets of Manhattan wearing an orange vest, dark capri pants, shoes without socks, and without the wild make-up and androgynous style that made him so recognisable as the 1980s icon who sang Karma Chameleon and Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? "This is supposed to be making me humble. Let me do this," he said. "I just want to do my job."
The singer, born George O'Dowd, was ordered to spend five days working for the department of sanitation after pleading guilty in March to falsely reporting a burglary at his lower Manhattan apartment. The officers who responded found cocaine instead.
Boy George (45) initially envisioned a service project more in line with his status as a 1980s icon. He petitioned to spend the time helping teenagers make a public service announcement or holding a fashion and make-up workshop.
His manager, Jeremy Pearce, said yesterday. "He doesn't show any kind of emotion about these things. He takes it in his stride." "He doesn't need to be humiliated," Pearce added. "He's a humble person."
"Things outside in the street were a little chaotic," said sanitation spokesman Keith Mellis. "We'll see if there's some cleaning that can be done inside." The sweeping later resumed in a gated sanitation parking lot.
"This is for everyone's safety," said deputy sanitation chief Albert Durrell as photographers crowded outside the gate. He said the day's work might also include mopping inside the depot.