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The story behind the making of George Michael's "Freedom '90" music video

George Michael's song "Freedom! '90" has become one of the anthems of the 90s. However, not everyone knows the story behind the music video for this single - and it's worthy of a separate conversation. 

Why five top models appeared in the frame instead of the singer and other interesting facts

In 1981, a channel appeared MTVwhich dramatically modified the world of show business, forced it to conform to the new rules and strongly influenced going forward fate music. MTV has made the music video industry one of ways the development of musicians. But not all famous artists have become fulfil their requirements. For example, George Michael decided not to star in his own video to the song "Freedom '90."but it's become legendary nonetheless.

The track "Freedom '90" became popular in large part because of his music video. Its author, George, had to add year in the title of the single, because this job could have been mix up with the song "Freedom" by the band "Wham!"that Michael was a member of. The artist created a track independently: he is the author of the lyrics and music, performer, producer of the recording. In the music video he not filmedbut he was still on the set.

George Michael as a young man
George Michael as a young man

Many listeners believe that the song autobiographical. George is singing about his formation as a performer, about the obstacles that prevented him from achieving his goal, and about accepting himself with all his flaws. The song "Freedom '90" would later become an anthem. LGBT-communities.

Clip shoot

In the early '90s, Michael confessed that he was fed up be celebrity. Singer refused appear not just in clips, but basically in front of the cameras. Clip for the single "Freedom '90," George filmed agreedbut without him appearing in the video. Michael was inspired a famous photograph Peter Lindbergwhich depicts famous modelsNaomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatiana Patitz. They're the ones that Michael invited to shoot the music video, even though it cost a lot of money. costs: each model had to pay 15,000 dollars a day. But let's not forget that, in addition to the girls, the clip featured a John Pearsonthe legendary mannequin who played Freedom '90. starring role.

Tatjana Patitz at a photocall
Tatjana Patitz at a photocall

Clipmaker came forward David Fincherwho, by then, had already made a video for Madonnas, "Aerosmith." and other stars. Outfits for the models I picked up Camilla Nickersonwho would go on to become the editor of a fashion magazine. "Vogue.". The stylist was inspired by street style and decided to contrast it with the usual glamour. Some things she had to find herselfFor example, she gave her black jumper Evangelista, ah. shoes for Campbell. borrowed at her boyfriend's. Guido Palaualso a stylist, trying to emphasise natural the beauty of the models.

Many questioned whether or not Naomi Campbell to star in a music video: there were various rumours about her unbearable but she was pretty well behaved on set. Make-up artist Carol Brown about her:

"She's nothing. wasn't shy and she looked amazingly in the frame. She was wearing translucent the top, but even though you're in the midst of a lot of menshe was acting like nothing had happened."

Naomi Campbell when she was younger.
Naomi Campbell when she was younger.

Work on the clip took place in London. Cindy Crawford talked about filming:

"I was told that George wanted to see in the music video are the girls who were filmed for the covers of British "Vogue" in 1990. It seemed to me bizarre: the song was dedicated to his fate, but in the video we will appear. Each of us played a different part in the music video. I remember how upset I was when I found out that my task - sit with a towel on my head in the bathroom. Everyone has such cool parts, and I have to pose in a bathtub?! But the end result of me delightedI looked amazing. By the way, the bathtub wasn't filled with water. With a smoke machine or something like that, they created effectlike the water was steaming. I was sitting on a crate to be closer to the camera.

To make Cindy's skin look like dampshe was smeared all over it. oil. The make-up was supposed to be a little floatedto make it look like realisticallyso Brown applied glycerin to Crawford's face for the desired effect.

Christy Turlington at a photoshoot
Christy Turlington at a photoshoot

The most darling the thing in the clip is white sheet. Fincher had a clear presentation about what a scene with Christy Turlington. The model had to walk across the room wrapped in a long white sheet. When the director found the perfect clothhe had to spend almost the entire budget on it.

In fact, George's music video - is not the first to star models. "Freedom! '90" was inspired other videos "Slave To Love" 1985. This music video starred Kristin Bergstrom, Lawrence Trail and Marpessa Hennick in the lead roles.

Cindy Crawford at a photo shoot
Cindy Crawford at a photo shoot

Premiere "Freedom! '90" took place through few days after the shoot. Music critics felt irony George: MTV rules require an artiste to have more than just good. vocal data, but also attractive appearance. Yourself singer in the clip didn't turn upbut he didn't break any rules - the viewer can admire the beautiful girls.

Cindy Crawford told me that for her. hence the song "Freedom '90."

"For most of us, George's song has become the soundtrack of my youth. In addition, the single carries an important subtext: the MTV channel has really changed the . attitude people to the artists. Now it is not enough for a singer to have good vocal data, he has to be a ideal in everything. The point of Michael's song is precisely that he is won't to play by their rules, he doesn't want to appear to be idealhe's just trying be yourself. I think it's because of his sincerity people loved him."

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