On Sunday night, four artists honored George Michael at the MTV Video Music Awards with a medley performance, each covering a different classic from his catalogue. Raye, Sombr, Teddy Swims, and Adam Lambert dressed up in their finest leather to pay tribute to the late singer’s memory. The tribute marks the upcoming 40th anniversary of his 1987 blockbuster solo debut album, Faith, and is tied to a slate of releases set for later this year.
The Songs In Order
The set opened with Sombr taking on two tracks:
- “Faith”
- “Father Figure”
Raye followed with “Knew You Were Waiting.” Teddy Swims then tackled “Careless Whisper,” setting up the finale.
The show closed with Adam Lambert, joined by two young U.K. singers named Meek and Saint Harison, performing “Freedom 90,”.
The Legacy Of A Moon Person
Over his career, Michael became a beloved figure at the VMAs, accumulating four Moon Persons. He received 16 nominations and took home Best Direction in a Video for co-directing “Father Figure”, a recognition he shared with Andy Morahan.
On Sunday, Madonna returned to perform on the VMAs stage for the first time in 23 years. She presented him with the Video Vanguard Award back in 1989.
What Each Artist Brings To The Stage
This year Raye was nominated twice, and her second appearance at the show included a nod in the Song of the Year category for “Where Is My Husband!”. Sombr earned three VMA nominations at the same time as their performance. Swims did not receive any 2026 VMAs, though they are set to release a new album, Ugly, in January.
The tribute was led by Adam Blackstone, who previously worked on Dr. Dre’s Super Bowl halftime shows and Rihanna’s, along with several other major productions.
The Anniversary And Beyond
Two upcoming releases honor the artist’s legacy. A live album, The Faith Tour, arrives Nov. 6. A full-length film, George Michael: The Faith Tour, follows with a worldwide cinema release on Dec. 11.
A tribute is being planned to mark the coming 40th anniversary of his 1987 blockbuster debut solo album, Faith. This is happening alongside The Faith Tour, a live album set for release on Nov. 6, and a feature-length film, George Michael: The Faith Tour, which will open in cinemas around the world on Dec. 11.
The Show Around It
CBS and MTV aired the Snoop Dogg-hosted VMAs, which featured a Dolly Parton tribute. The entire broadcast can be streamed on Paramount+. The entire performance can be viewed online if you didn’t catch it live.
The Order Of The Set
- Sombr opened with “Faith” and “Father Figure”
- Raye followed with “Knew You Were Waiting”
- Teddy Swims tackled “Careless Whisper”
- Adam Lambert closed with “Freedom 90,” joined by Meek and Saint Harison
A decade after his death and on the anniversary of his landmark album, a tribute gathered a group of current artists, a young duet, and a veteran performer to honor a singer whose influence went well beyond his own career.
The performance was a direct nod to that milestone.
Source material: “Raye, Sombr, Teddy Swims, Adam Lambert Salute George Michael at MTV VMAs,” Rolling Stone.
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