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NewsSeptember, 28 Adam Lambert Joins George Michael VMA Tribute
Adam Lambert turned up unannounced at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards to take part in the tribute to George Michael. The ceremony took place on Sunday night at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, where the previously announced Sombr, Teddy Swims and RAYE paid their respects to the late British singer-songwriter, who passed away in 2016 at 53. Introducing the segment, Orville Peck called George Michael a pop god who became an international superstar at just 19, writing and producing one hit after another, dominating the charts and opening doors for many others. He went on to say that George's music and videos were timeless anthems and strong statements against the establishment. The 1987 song I Want Your Sex was so raw that MTV aired a disclaimer before it, while Freedom! '90 helped launch the era of the supermodel, and its famous video was a way for him to reclaim his own story. Sombr, whose real name is Shane Boose, opened the tribute with the 1987 tracks Faith and Father Figure. RAYE, born Rachel Keen, then performed I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me), which George originally recorded with Aretha Franklin in 1987. Teddy Swims, also known as Jaten Dimsdale, delivered 1984's Careless Whisper, and Adam Lambert surprised the crowd with a version of 1990's Freedom! '90. MEEK, MNEK and Saint Harison were among the other artists who joined the Whataya Want from Me singer. George Michael received the MTV Video Vanguard Award in 1989. A live album titled George Michael: The Faith Tour is due out in November, and a film with the same name will reach theatres in December. The 2026 MTV VMAs also featured a tribute to the late Dolly Parton. In a pre-taped recording, Kacey Musgraves gave an emotional performance of Parton's 1973 hit I Will Always Love You. The country music icon died last month at the age of 80.
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