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VMAs 2026 stage George Michael tribute with Sombr, Raye, Teddy Swims, Adam Lambert

A surprise Adam Lambert appearance capped a multi-artist medley honoring George Michael at the MTV Video Music Awards.

newest coverage 10h agosummary written 22h ago9 pieces111 likes & upvotes5 comments BlueskyNewswiresMastodonGoogle News

What to know

  • The 2026 VMAs staged a multi-artist tribute to George Michael featuring Sombr, Raye, Teddy Swims, and a surprise closing appearance by Adam Lambert.
  • The tribute was timed to the 40th anniversary of Michael's 1987 album Faith, ahead of a live album (Nov. 6) and a tour film (opens Dec. 11).
  • Adam Lambert was not part of the originally announced lineup, making his entrance the most talked-about moment of the segment.
  • This year's Video Vanguard Award went to Nirvana, distinct from Michael's own Video Vanguard win in 1989, presented by Madonna, who also opened this year's show.

George MichaelGeorge Michael HonoreeSombr PerformerRaye PerformerTeddy Swims PerformerAdam Lambert Surprise performerMadonna Opening performer/presenter

VMAs 2026 stage George Michael tribute with Sombr, Raye, Teddy Swims, Adam Lambert
Stereogum

How it unfolded 4 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

Peak 6 pieces in two hours at Sep 27, 9 PM; 9 pieces over 7 days (5 articles · 4 posts) Sep 22, 11 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Bluesky 1Sep 22, 1 PM — quietSep 22, 3 PM — quietSep 22, 5 PM — quietSep 22, 7 PM — quietSep 22, 9 PM — quietSep 22, 11 PM — quietSep 23, 1 AM — quietSep 23, 3 AM — quietSep 23, 5 AM — quietSep 23, 7 AM — quietSep 23, 9 AM — quietSep 23, 11 AM — quietSep 23, 1 PM — quietSep 23, 3 PM — quietSep 23, 5 PM — quietSep 23, 7 PM — quietSep 23, 9 PM — quietSep 23, 11 PM — quietSep 24, 1 AM — quietSep 24, 3 AM — quietSep 24, 5 AM — quietSep 24, 7 AM — quietSep 24, 9 AM — quietSep 24, 11 AM — quietSep 24, 1 PM — quietSep 24, 3 PM — quietSep 24, 5 PM — quietSep 24, 7 PM — quietSep 24, 9 PM — quietSep 24, 11 PM — quietSep 25, 1 AM — quietSep 25, 3 AM — quietSep 25, 5 AM — quietSep 25, 7 AM — quietSep 25, 9 AM — quietSep 25, 11 AM — quietSep 25, 1 PM — quietSep 25, 3 PM — quietSep 25, 5 PM — quietSep 25, 7 PM — quietSep 25, 9 PM — quietSep 25, 11 PM — quietSep 26, 1 AM — quietSep 26, 3 AM — quietSep 26, 5 AM — quietSep 26, 7 AM — quietSep 26, 9 AM — quietSep 26, 11 AM — quietSep 26, 1 PM — quietSep 26, 3 PM — quietSep 26, 5 PM — quietSep 26, 7 PM — quietSep 26, 9 PM — quietSep 26, 11 PM — quietSep 27, 1 AM — quietSep 27, 3 AM — quietSep 27, 5 AM — quietSep 27, 7 AM — quietSep 27, 9 AM — quietSep 27, 11 AM — quietSep 27, 1 PM — quietSep 27, 3 PM — quietSep 27, 5 PM — quietSep 27, 7 PM — quietSep 27, 9 PM — 6 pieces · 5 articles · 1 post — Google News 4, Newswires 1, Mastodon 1Sep 27, 11 PM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Yesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 5 AM — quietYesterday, 7 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 11 AM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Yesterday, 5 PM — quietYesterday, 7 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 11 PM — quietToday, 1 AM — quiet 12–34
Sep 23Sep 24Sep 25Sep 26Sep 27yesterdaynow · 2:21 AM ET
  1. 4

    Coverage details tribute's ties to Faith anniversary and new film

    Follow-up reporting noted the tribute coincided with the 40th anniversary of Michael's 1987 album Faith, a live album out Nov. 6, and the film George Michael: The Faith Tour opening Dec. 11, and detailed Sombr wearing Michael's own jacket and Adam Blackstone serving as music director.

    • Check out Sombr, RAYE, Adam Lambert and Teddy Swims' tribute performance to George Michael at VMAs https://www. nme.com/news/music/sombr-raye- adam-lambert-teddy-swims-tribute-george-michael-vmas-3971164?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub Posted into NME @ nme-NMEMagazine

      NMEMagazine@flipboard.comMastodon10h ago1▲view on Mastodon ↗
    1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch
    • inbella@channels.im

      George Michael VMAs Tribute With Raye, Sombr and Teddy Swims https://www. inbella.com/1727141/george-mic hael-vmas-tribute-with-raye-sombr-and-teddy-swims/ # CelebritiesTopics # GeorgeMichael # mtv # MtvVideoMusicAwards # Raye # SOMBR # TeddySwims # vmas # VMAs2026

      inbella@channels.imMastodon23h agoview on Mastodon ↗
    all of them →
  2. 3

    Fans note Lambert's surprise addition to the tribute

    Social media commentary highlighted that Lambert was not on the original tribute lineup and praised his unexpected closing performance.

    “Clearly, the fans (or just us) did think Sombr, Raye or Teddy Swims were the best choices for the George Michael tribute. Adam Lambert made a spectacular surprise entry and closing the tribute, considering he was not in the original list.”
    — demilente.bsky.social
    • demilente.bsky.social@bsky.brid.gy

      Clearly, the fans (or just us) did think Sombr, Raye or Teddy Swims were the best choices for the George Michael tribute. Adam Lambert made a spectacular surprise entry and closing the tribute, considering he was not in the original list. #mtvvma #musicawards #georgemichael #adamlambert #lgbtq+ MTV VMAs to Feature a George M...

      demilente.bsky.social@bsky.brid.gyMastodon1d ago1▲view on Mastodon ↗
  3. 2

    Adam Lambert makes surprise entrance to close the tribute

    Adam Lambert, who was not part of the originally announced lineup, emerged to perform "Freedom '90" with assists from MNEK, Meek, and Saint Harison, closing out the medley.

    “adam lambert ???? walking out in that fringe with a purpose!!!! ❤️❤️ #vmas…”
    — Twitter/X user (embedded in Stereogum article)
    1. 2 outlets VMAs 2026: Raye, Sombr, Teddy Swims, & Adam Lambert Pay Tribute To George Michael

      first by Stereogum, 1d ago · also Rolling Stone

      4 more headlines
  4. background

    Sombr, Raye, Teddy Swims perform George Michael medley at VMAs — The tribute opened with Sombr performing "Faith" and "Father Figure," followed by Raye covering "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" and Teddy Swims singing "Careless Whisper."

  5. 4 days quiet
  6. 1

    VMAs announce George Michael tribute lineup

    Reports surfaced that the 2026 VMAs would include a tribute medley to George Michael performed by RAYE, sombr, and Teddy Swims, ahead of the ceremony.

    “This year's #VMA's will pay tribute to the late George Michael. A tribute medley will be performed by RAYE, sombr, and Teddy Swims.”
    — popbase.tv
    • popbase.tv

      This year’s #VMA ’s will pay tribute to the late George Michael. A tribute medley will be performed by RAYE, sombr, and Teddy Swims. (

      popbase.tvBluesky6d ago109▲view on Bluesky ↗

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