British singer George Michael says he is thrilled that same-sex marriage has recently been legalized in California, saying the move was "way overdue."
The 44-year-old pop star, who is openly gay, said same-sex marriage is something that happened "almost without a whisper in England, but it was basically because we weren't that concerned about the word `marriage.'""Because [the US] is a much more religious society, there are a huge number of people who want (their) unions to be part of something that they can place in their religion, so (marriage is) much more important here," he added.
"I think that's why it's so long in arriving here, but I think it's fantastic, obviously."
Hundreds of gay and lesbian couples have rushed to county clerks' offices throughout California this week to obtain marriage licenses and exchange vows as same-sex marriage became legal Monday afternoon (June 16).
Michael, who recently kicked off the multi-city '25 Live' US tour in celebration of his retrospective album 'Twenty Five', has also revealed that this will be his last arena tour.
"I have got other interests than just making music. I would like to follow those interests through," he said.
"You never know, in five years I might be back here begging you all to forgive me. But I really think I can do much more constructive work as an artist if I step out of this again."
The Celebrity Truth
