{"id":21662,"date":"2026-07-30T04:54:03","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T23:54:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=21662"},"modified":"2026-07-30T04:54:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T23:54:03","slug":"george-michaels-estate-in-legal-row-with-friend-over-release-of-lost-albums-unseen-footage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=21662","title":{"rendered":"George Michael&#8217;s estate in legal row with friend over release of &#8216;lost&#8217; album&#8217;s unseen footage"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"646\" height=\"419\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_306801696-f1ac.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29254236\" alt=\"George Michael perform on stage at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness at Wembley Stadium, April 20th 1992. (Photo by Michael Putland\/Getty Images)\" decoding=\"sync\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>The estate of late singer George Michael is suing his cousin and former best friend (Picture: Michael Putland\/Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/george-michael\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">George Michael<\/a>\u2019s estate is suing his former best friend for charging fans to watch footage of the late star online from the recording of a lost album.<\/p>\n<p>Andros Georgiou, 63, believes his old friend would be \u2018turning in his grave\u2019 at the legal action, which came in response to the online release of his film Trojan Souls \u2013 The Greatest Album That Was Never Made.<\/p>\n<p>It features almost 90 minutes\u2019 worth of recordings of <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2023\/09\/14\/george-michael-wanted-hardcore-porn-version-iconic-music-video-19497368\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the late Careless Whisper singer<\/a> in the recording studio, shot in 1992 and 1993.<\/p>\n<p>A website was launched last month to host the film, which asks fans to pay \u00a34.99 for 48 hours\u2019 access to Trojan Souls \u2013 The Greatest Album That Was Never Made, while distributor Tribe Media is also selling a \u00a319.99 VIP tier, which promises access to previously unheard recordings of Wham! star Michael\u2019s unreleased songs from the record.<\/p>\n<p>George\u2019s estate has lodged a case at London\u2019s Intellectual Property and Enterprise Court, claiming its rights have been breached, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.the-sun.com\/entertainment\/16762010\/george-michael-friend-estate-row-secret-album\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Sun<\/a>, with Georgiou saying he had \u2018no idea\u2019 the estate planned to sue him until he was contacted by the newspaper about it.<\/p>\n<p>Andros has branded this move \u2018a case of sheer greed\u2019.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"925\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_306801701-6733-e1785353410418.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29254233\" alt=\"LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 1: George Michael performs on stage at the 'Concert Of Hope', in Wembley Arena on December 1st, 1993 in London, England. (Photo by Pete Still\/Redferns)\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Andros Georgiou has released a film with unseen footage of Michael recording his \u2018lost\u2019 album Trojan Souls, which was never finished (Picture: Pete Still\/Redferns)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>He told <strong>Metro<\/strong> in a statement: \u2018First and foremost \u2013 my brother in arms, my best friend, George Michael to you, Yog to me \u2013 would turn in his grave knowing what Russells (the estate\u2019s lawyers) are attempting \u2013 and spending his money to do it.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018It is well known Yog and I were working on Trojan Souls through my record label, Hardback Records.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018The film I have released was shot by me, with Yog\u2019s full approval \u2013 trust me, he would never have allowed anyone else into that studio.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018This was a home video leaked over 30 years ago.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Georgiou added that as it kept \u2018resurfacing\u2019 on <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/youtube\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">YouTube<\/a> and then other <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/social-media\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">social media<\/a> sites he decided to \u2018put the film out myself, since others were already profiting from my home video\u2019.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"947\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_306801713-683a.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29254225\" alt=\"Mandatory Credit: Photo by Shutterstock (11787144es) George Michael with cousin Andros Georgiou 1997 Various - 1997\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Georgiou and Michael grew up together after their fathers moved to the UK from Cyprus in 1953 (Picture: Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"428\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_306801724-9e27.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29254218\" alt=\"Mandatory Credit: Photo by Eugene Adebari\/Shutterstock (103007d) Wham - Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael WHAM - 1983\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Michael (pictured with Wham! co-star Andrew Ridgeley in 1983) would \u2018turn in his grave\u2019 if he knew about the legal action, Georgiou has said (Picture: Eugene Adebari\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>He had shot the video in Japan on George\u2019s Faith tour, using a camcorder given to him by Sony.<\/p>\n<p>Trojan Souls was set to feature duets with a remarkable number of musical stars including Sir <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/elton-john\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Elton John<\/a>, <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/stevie-wonder\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stevie Wonder<\/a>, Janet Jackson, <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/aretha-franklin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Aretha Franklin<\/a>, Bryan Ferry, Seal and Sade, but Michael \u2013 who died in December 2016 \u2013 is said to have lost interest in the record after his then-partner Anselmo Feleppa\u2019s health declined.<\/p>\n<p>Following Feleppa\u2019s death in March 1993, he never completed the record.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/news\/2026\/07\/29\/george-michael-estate-legal-battle-lost-album-recordings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Telegraph<\/a>, the film shows Michael playing the piano, performing vocals with backing singers and talking to producers about his track list in a studio in <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/los-angeles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Los Angeles<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Georgiou and Michael grew up together as second cousins, whose fathers moved from Cyprus to the UK together in 1953, sparking \u201837 years of an unbreakable friendship\u2019, according to the film\u2019s website.<\/p>\n<p>They co-founded the label Aegean Records together in 1996, but fell out after Michael\u2019s arrest in an LA public toilet in 1998.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"455\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_306801615-4398.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29254237\" alt=\"LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 9: George Michael performs on stage at 'NetAID' in Wembley Stadium, on October 9th, 1999 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Pete Still\/Redferns)\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Trojan Souls was set to feature duets with iconic pop acts including Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin (Picture: Pete Still\/Redferns)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>While still estranged before his death, they had planned to reconcile and Georgiou said they had spoken on the phone <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2023\/07\/04\/george-michaels-later-years-werent-his-best-as-andrew-ridgeley-mourns-loss-19061880\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">in the final weeks of Michael\u2019s life<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Georgiou added in his statement: \u2018Yes, we fell out, but we loved and cared for each other deeply, and I find the baseless claims and the constant attempts to erase me from history both disrespectful and, frankly, a bit desperate.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Michael died of natural causes <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/02\/06\/george-michaels-10-000-000-london-house-seen-disrepair-years-lying-empty-22506856\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">at his home<\/a> in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on Christmas Day in 2016. <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/01\/10\/10-years-since-david-bowies-death-awful-year-celebrity-losses-26149045\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">He was aged just 53<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Robobuild Limited and Big Geoff Overseas Limited, the holding companies George used to manage royalties and world tours, have brought the claim against Georgiou and Tribe Media, the production house distributing the film.<\/p>\n<p>Michael\u2019s Wham! co-star Andrew Ridgeley is currently promoting a new documentary titled\u00a0Wham! 10 Days in China, which focuses on their 1985 visit to China as part of their 1984\u201385 tour,\u00a0The Big Tour. <\/p>\n<p>They were the first Western pop act to visit the country.<\/p>\n<p><em>Metro has contacted lawyers for George Michael\u2019s estate for comment.<\/em><\/p>\n<section id=\"share-buttons-bottom\" class=\"share-buttons share-buttons-bottom\"><a class=\"metro-button share-bar-comments\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span><svg><title>Comment now<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#social-comment\" href=\"#social-comment\"\/><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-comments__label\">Comments<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" class=\"metro-button share-bar-preferred-source\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/metro.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span><svg><title>Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#social-preferred-source\" href=\"#social-preferred-source\"\/><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-preferred-source__label\">Add as preferred source<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/a><\/section>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The estate of late singer George Michael is suing his cousin and former best friend (Picture: Michael Putland\/Getty) George Michael\u2019s estate is suing his former best friend for charging fans to watch footage of the late star online from the recording of a lost album. Andros Georgiou, 63, believes his old friend would be \u2018turning&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21663,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_306801696-f1ac_1785355590.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1200&h=630&crop=1","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21662","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrity-gossip"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21662","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=21662"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21662\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/21663"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=21662"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=21662"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=21662"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}