James Kennedy Responds to Rumors That George Michael Left Him an Inheritance
The #PumpRules DJ also discussed the late singer's influence on his life growing up.
Following George Michael's death in December, James Kennedy honored his godfather with an adorable and touching tribute to the late pop icon. Five weeks after the singer's passing, the Vanderpump Rules DJ recalled the singer's presence during his childhood to The Daily Dish.
"You know he was just Uncle George, really. He didn't really give me advice. I was very young. I wasn't into music yet. I was like a baby. He was just Uncle George and [he'd] pop me on his lap and stuff like that," James recalled. "I knew he was a singer like, 'Uncle George is a singer.' It's not like I didn't [know] who he was at the time."
Now that James works in the music industry himself as a DJ and producer, he especially feels the influence George Michael had on pop music. "He's obviously been a huge part, listening to his music all year round at family parties and stuff," he said. "He's obviously sculpted my life in a way that he's touched many people in his music. He was a family member and was there when we were growing up, so it was two sides, I guess. His music changed the world, but he also was just a normal, beautiful person at home."
As the legend goes, George and James' dad, Andros Georgiou, were childhood friends who later worked together when Andros served as the managing director of Aegean Records, the record label started by George in the mid-'90s. While George and Andros eventually had a falling out, the singer's death hit James and his dad hard.
"[It was a] very sad time. My dad actually recently moved back to London, so I was gonna go visit him and basically knock on George's door in the New Year but a week later, on Christmas, obviously [we] got the news, and it was heartbreaking. I still had to come out to England and pretty much spent time with my dad and just talked, and it was a crazy, crazy time."
James also discussed his late "Uncle George" during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on Monday when he addressed rumors that George left an inheritance to his godchildren. "Yeah I've heard about that. Honestly I've been told nothing so far, so those are all just tabloids talking the usual stuff," he said, before talking about the last time he saw the singer. "I want to say when I was about 12 or so. 10 or 12," he shared.
Check out some vintage moments from James' life, below.
