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The MTV Video Music Awards paid tribute to icon George Michael with a medley that featured some of the icon’s biggest hits. While the performance featured several big names, the highlight was a soulful cover of Michael’s “Freedom! ‘90,” led by Adam Lambert, whose appearance was not announced ahead of the ceremony.
The homage comes a decade after the pop legend and queer icon died on Christmas Day 2016 at age 53.
(L-R) Saint Harison, Adam Lambert, Raye, MNEK, Sombr, Meek, and Teddy Swims perform onstage during the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) at Peacock Theater on Sept. 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Lambert, joined by several other artists including singer Meek and MNEK, belted out the 1990 hit. Several in the crowd were brought to their feet during the performance.
The tribute also featured Sombr, who performed Michael’s hit songs “Faith” and “Father Figure,” Raye, who performed “Knew You Were Waiting,” and Teddy Swims who sang a rendition of “Careless Whisper.”
Adam Lambert performs onstage at 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on Sept. 27, 2026, in Los Angeles.
During his portion, Sombr also wore a black Harley-Davidson jacket that originally worn by Michael during his 1988 Faith Tour, according to Vogue.
“To wear a jacket that has become so synonymous with that era was pretty surreal, and an honor,” Sombr told the magazine.
Sombr performs onstage during the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) at Peacock Theater on Sept. 27, 2026, in Los Angeles.
Michael, who won a host of VMAs, including the Video Vanguard lifetime achievement award in 1989, was highly regarded as a pioneering artist in the pop music scene, making a significant impact both as one-half of the duo Wham! and also as a solo artist.
While the icon was known for his many musical hits, he is also remembered as a champion of the LGBTQ+ community and philanthropist, who used his platform to help find a cure for HIV and AIDS.
Michael was outed as gay in 1998 following an incident in Beverly Hills during which he was arrested for engaging in a lewd act at a public toilet. Michael later roasted the ordeal in his music video for “Outside,” in which he mocked the Los Angeles police officers who caught him by featuring two uniformed officers kissing.
“I’m a very proud man. I want people to know that I have not been exposed as a gay man,” Michael told CNN in a now-famous 1998 interview. “I don’t feel any shame whatsoever, and neither do I think I should.”
Raye at The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards at the Peacock Theater on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 in Los Angeles.
With his unapologetic embrace of his sexuality, the musician is credited with opening the door and empowering many other queer entertainers in the music industry.
Given his rich legacy, many fans initially called out the VMAs for its choice in tribute performers — none of whom had publicly identified as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. MTV had announced exclusively in Rolling Stone Sept. 22 that acts Raye, Sombr and Teddy Swims would be performing. Many felt that without performers who reflected Michael’s activism and identity, the LGBTQ community was being snubbed.
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“You’d think with George being an icon for the LGBT community, they’d get someone like Sam Smith or Troye Sivan involved,” one user wrote on social media platform Reddit, referencing other openly gay pop icons.
While no other artists were announced ahead of the awards, singer Adam Lambert posted a cryptic Instagram story which featured Michael’s song “Freedom ‘90.”
This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY.
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