George Michael honored at MTV VMAs 2026 with surprise appearance from Adam Lambert

Wake us up before they go-go.

Adam Lambert made a surprise appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards 2026 Sunday night to pay tribute to George Michael — a decade after the pop music icon’s death at 53.

The ode to Michael, who died on Christmas Day in 2016, began with Orville Peck announcing that “George Michael was a pop god,” followed by Sombr lighting up the stage with an energetic version of “Faith” and a touching rendition of the ballad “Father Figure.”

Raye then joined the stage to give a soulful version of Michael’s 1987 duet with Aretha Franklin, “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” followed by Teddy Swims crooning the classic “Careless Whisper” as the audience swayed to the groove.

The pace picked up joyfully with Lambert, dressed in a fringed and studded black outfit, belting out an energetic cover of Michael’s poppy “Freedom! (’90),” with a crowd of backup singers and musicians, as well as Sombr, Raye, and Swims singing and dancing along.

The tribute was first announced Tuesday, with Rolling Stone revealing that Raye, Sombr and Teddy Swims would come together to honor the four-time VMA winner.

The timing is also significant as Michael’s “Faith Tour” is being revisited with an upcoming live album and concert film, “George Michael: The Faith Tour,” set to hit theaters Dec. 11.

The projects arrive as “Faith,” Michael’s landmark debut solo album, nears its 40th anniversary following its 1987 release.

VMAs producer and former MTV executive Van Toffler told Billboard Tuesday that the upcoming film, which features previously unseen footage, was part of the reason the tribute felt timely.

“George was such a big part of MTV’s history and my history at the VMAs,” Toffler said, recalling Michael’s performance of “Freedom! ’90” during MTV’s 10th anniversary special in 1991, which he called “unbelievable.”

Toffler also noted that Michael’s “rich” music continues to resonate with younger artists like Raye, Sombr and Swims, who are all fans of the late singer.

“We think it’ll be a killer moment to recognize those great songs,” he said.

When asked whether Andrew Ridgeley of Wham! or anyone connected to Michael’s estate would be involved, Toffler pointed out that the VMAs were not presenting Michael with an award.

“We’re just recognizing his songs,” he said.

Toffler described the performance as “really a straight-up musical tribute to [Michael’s] music.”

Raye, 28, made her solo VMAs performance debut Sunday night, in addition to taking part in the tribute to Michael.

She was nominated for two awards, including Song of the Year for her hit “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”

Sombr, 21, returned to the VMAs stage for the tribute after making his debut at the awards show last year.

He was up for three awards for his song “Homewrecker,” including Song of the Summer and Best Alternative.

Meanwhile, Swims, 33, was back at the VMAs for the first time since 2024, when his breakout hit “Lose Control” earned him four nominations.