George Michael honored at MTV VMAs 2026 with surprise appearance from Adam Lambert
Page Six • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Adam Lambert made a surprise appearance at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards to honor George Michael, marking a tribute a decade after the pop icon’s death in 2016.
- The tribute featured performances by Orville Peck, Sombr, Raye, Teddy Swims, and Lambert, who energetically covered Michael’s hit “Freedom! (’90).”
- The homage coincides with the upcoming release of “George Michael: The Faith Tour,” a live album and concert film set for December 11, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Michael’s debut solo album, "Faith."
- VMAs producer Van Toffler emphasized the tribute’s significance due to Michael’s impact on MTV and the ongoing influence of his music on younger artists like Raye, Sombr, and Swims.
- Raye made her solo VMAs debut and was nominated for two awards, while Sombr and Teddy Swims also returned to the show with multiple nominations.
