Michael Alig, the quintessential party boy who reigned supreme over New York City’s gay party scene throughout the early ’90s, is due to be released from jail on May 5, according to a personal friend reporting for BlackBook.
Alig is credited with fueling the early days of the “club kid” scene and throwing some of the greatest and most historical gay events in a pre-Giuliani New York City. His life and conviction inspired the Fenton Bailey-directed movie Party Monster, which detailed the events leading up to March 17, 1996 — the day Alig murdered and dismembered the body of his drug dealer Angel Melendez in the apartment they shared.
Alig’s arrest was largely credited to Michael Musto’s unrelenting reporting for the Village Voice at the time. The investigation also led to the arrest of Peter Gatien, a legendary New York club owner who is now banned from entering the United States.
Alig has been up for parole several times since 2006, but was allegedly denied after his parole officers obtained and watched a copy of Party Monster. (FYI, for those interested, a more informational documentary about Alig’s life was released in 1998, called Party Monster: The Shocukmentary. It’s available to stream on YouTube.)
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According to BlackBook writer Steve Lewis, Alig has been recruited for creative jobs and will stay with a friend once released from prison. “There is no chance that he will return to clubs as a way of life,” he says, “but he will paint and write, and as always, try to impact the way we think.” Alig has reportedly “never used a computer or cell phone, but has remained keenly aware of the world we live in.”
Furthermore, after several visits in the past few years, Lewis believes Alig has been rehabilitated:
I was for many years Michael’s friend. Like so many others, I left him behind when drugs and power created a “Party Monster.” We reconnected in recent years, and during my visits to him in prison I observed the Michael Alig that I loved—the Alig prior the downfall. I believe he is ready to enter the world, and that reentering will be a good thing. No one, no act, no time, no hatred will bring back Angel, but Michael has served a great deal of his adult life in a bad place. I believe he has been rehabilitated. I believe he is forever remorseful and I look forward to his redux. To those who say nay, I respect that, but hope chances are given, and that we can move on. It is a time to remember Angel and reflect on the meaning of life. For me, forgiveness is part of it.
Below, watch a trailer for Party Monster, the 2003 film inspired by Michael Alig’s life.
Cam
Apparently his release has been delayed multiple times because he kept testing positive for drugs.
Spike
I’m guessing he looks and acts depressingly normal, a far worse reality then being n prison.
redcarpet
He’s a convicted and admitted murderer. I don’t want any of his “influence”.
Sadly, there are probably a bunch of morons out there who will just think it makes him more “edgy”.
Ogre Magi
Hooray
robho3
This is scarey–he should be in jail for life.
DistingueTraces
he has been drumming up publicity for himself while in prison with a Twitter account run by proxy
it is as venal and depressing as you would imagine
SteveDenver
Eighteen years for murder and dismemberment: life is cheap. I doubt his victim’s family and friends are elated about his release. I wouldn’t be surprised if he disappears.
Large Marge
Should have used an electric turkey carver… it would have been much simpler.
YesIDid
You have GOT to be kidding! That psychopath should stay in jail. He probably got off by blowing the parole board.
YouGoGurl
Disgusting. He should rot in jail. I’ve met him when he was a “club kid.” Never has there been a more sociopathic personality.
Cam
@YouGoGurl:
And don’t you love the B.S. in the article “He’s gotten many offers” Yeah SUUUUUUURE he has.
Hillers
(invoking the Church Lady voice) Well, we all have something to look forward to now, don’t we?
Faggot
@DistingueTraces
“he has been drumming up publicity for himself while in prison with a Twitter account run by proxy”
it is as venal and depressing as you would imagine
Which account are you referring to? @RealMichaelAlig is an account that was used once, on September 3, 2010 — and hasn’t been touched since then!
Faggot
@Cam:
“Apparently his release has been delayed multiple times because he kept testing positive for drugs.”
Can you tell us where you found that info? Nothing comes up about it with a Google search.
lykeitiz
Where’s TMZ when you need them? We need a James St. James comment.
Ogre Magi
@YouGoGurl: What did he do that was so bad when you met him?
amybygrace97
A druggie klls a druggie,when I was using 16 yrs ago I could have been either one, that is the life style, it is dark and dangerous, so beware.