Ever since the 1980s, people have been asking the same question. It pops up every time "Last Christmas" hits the radio or someone watches that Netflix documentary. Is Andrew Ridgeley of Wham gay? It’s a natural thing to wonder. You see two incredibly handsome guys in short shorts, tanned to perfection, dancing around a yacht in the "Club Tropicana" video. They had a chemistry that was undeniable.
People assumed. Honestly, they still do.
But when you actually look at the facts—not the tabloid rumors or the retro vibes—the answer is pretty straightforward. Andrew Ridgeley has always been open about his life, and that life has consistently involved long-term relationships with women.
The George Michael Connection
You can't talk about Andrew without talking about George Michael. They were best friends from school. They were a unit. When Wham! exploded, the media painted them as these quintessential 80s heartthrobs.
In 1983, while they were in Ibiza filming the "Club Tropicana" video, George actually came out to Andrew. He told him he was gay—or at least bisexual at the time. Andrew’s reaction? Basically, a shrug. He was totally fine with it. He was an ally before we even really used that word in the way we do now.
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George Michael himself talked about this later. He once joked in an interview that people probably thought they were sleeping together because of the "homoeroticism" of the band. But George was very clear: Andrew "loves being filthy with women." He mentioned that he never looked at Andrew that way, calling him "too pretty, too feminine, too elegant" for his own personal taste.
His Famous Relationships
Andrew’s romantic history isn't a secret. It’s actually quite legendary in the world of British pop.
For nearly three decades—27 years to be exact—Andrew was in a relationship with Keren Woodward. You probably know her from Bananarama. They were the ultimate 90s cool couple. They moved away from the London spotlight and lived a quiet life in a 15th-century farmhouse in Cornwall.
They raised Keren's son together. They walked their dogs. They went to the local pub. It wasn't a "show" relationship for the cameras; it was a real, decades-long partnership that only ended around 2017.
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After things ended with Keren, Andrew dated Amanda Cronin, a socialite and model. They were spotted together at Wimbledon in 2022. That relationship ended in 2023, with Amanda telling the press that while Andrew is "phenomenal," he might not be "relationship material" for the long haul anymore.
Why the Rumors Persist
So why do we keep asking is Andrew Ridgeley of Wham gay?
- The Wham! Aesthetic: The 80s was a time of blurred lines. The makeup, the hair, the fashion—it was all very flamboyant.
- The "Sidekick" Narrative: Because George Michael was the powerhouse vocalist and later came out as a gay icon, people often retroactively apply that same identity to Andrew.
- The Bond: Their friendship was so deep and affectionate that people mistook it for romance. It’s a shame, really, because it devalues what a great platonic male friendship looks like.
Andrew has never officially "come out" as anything other than straight because, well, he hasn't had to. His life has been lived in the company of women. He’s been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, especially regarding the struggles George faced while staying in the closet during the height of their fame.
Setting the Record Straight
Basically, Andrew Ridgeley is a straight man who happened to be half of the most stylish, high-energy pop duo of the 20th century. He was the "cool" one who gave George the confidence to step onto the stage.
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If you're looking for a secret confession or a hidden life, you won't find it here. Andrew seems perfectly content with his legacy as a pop pioneer, a racing enthusiast, and a guy who has spent most of his adult life in committed relationships with women.
The speculation is just a byproduct of how much we loved Wham! and how much we still miss the dynamic between those two best friends.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the 'WHAM!' Documentary on Netflix: It gives a great look at their actual friendship and the moment George came out to Andrew.
- Read 'Wham! George & Me': Andrew’s memoir is a fantastic, honest account of their years together and clears up a lot of the myths.
- Listen to the 'The Final' Album: It’s still the best way to experience the chemistry that started all these questions in the first place.