Sombr, RAYE, Adam Lambert and Teddy Swims joined forces for a star-studded tribute to George Michael at last night’s MTV VMAs – check out footage below.
- READ MORE: George Michael Obituary: 1963-2016
The performance took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles yesterday (September 27), marking 10 years since the death of the former Wham! star.
Orville Peck introduced the tribute, describing Michael as a “pop god” who became an international superstar aged 19 and went on to create “timeless anthems and powerful statements against the establishment”.
Sombr kicked off the medley with two songs from Michael’s landmark 1987 debut solo album ‘Faith’, beginning with its title track before moving into ‘Father Figure’.
RAYE then took the stage for ‘I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)’, the 1987 duet Michael originally recorded with Aretha Franklin. The performance incorporated Michael’s original vocals alongside RAYE’s live singing.
Watch footage below:
Raye performing at the 2026 #VMAs as part of a tribute to George Michael. pic.twitter.com/w9zybRrd49
— RAYE Updates (@RayeUpdate) September 28, 2026
Teddy Swims followed with one of Michael’s most recognisable songs, ‘Careless Whisper’, accompanied by its signature saxophone line.
Lambert then emerged as a surprise final guest to perform ‘Freedom! ’90’, with MNEK, MEEK and Saint Harison later joining him for the celebratory finale.
Check it out here:
adam lambert
walking out in that fringe with a purpose!!!!
#vmaspic.twitter.com/npxdqv9PyG
— 𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕄𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕪𝕄𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕠𝕗𝕄𝕖 (@MessyMindofMe) September 28, 2026
Michael had a long history with the VMAs. He won four awards during his career and received the prestigious Video Vanguard Award in 1989, when it was presented to him by Madonna.
The tribute also arrives ahead of the release of George Michael: The Faith Tour, a forthcoming concert film built from previously unseen footage shot during two nights at Paris’ Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in 1988.
The footage was captured across 14 cameras on 35mm film during the European leg of the ‘Faith’ tour and was long thought to have been lost before being restored and remastered.
An accompanying 18-track live album featuring previously unreleased performances is due to arrive in November, with the feature-length concert film following in cinemas in December.
Michael died on Christmas Day 2016 at the age of 53. Earlier this year, his former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley spoke to NME about the “enduring” nature of Michael’s music, saying: “It speaks to core human emotions.”
Elsewhere at last night’s VMAs, Madonna returned for her first performance at the ceremony in 23 years, while Taylor Swift premiered the video for ‘Patient Zero’ and became the most-awarded artist in VMAs history.
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