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

Wake us up before they leave.

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

The ode to Michael, who died on Christmas Day 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 perform a stirring version of Michael’s 1987 duet with Aretha Franklin, “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” followed by Teddy Swims singing the classic “Careless Whisper” as the audience swayed to the beat.

The pace picks up joyfully with Lambert, dressed in a black, fringed and studded outfit, singing an energetic cover of Michael’s pop song “Freedom! (’90)”, with a crowd of backing vocalists and musicians, as well as Sombr, Raye and Swims singing and dancing.

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

The timing is also important as Michael’s “Faith Tour” is revisited with an upcoming live album and concert film, “George Michael: The Faith Tour,” which hits theaters December 11.

The projects come as “Faith,” Michael’s historic debut solo album, approaches its 40th anniversary following its 1987 release.

VMAs producer and former MTV executive Van Toffler told Billboard on Tuesday that the upcoming film, which features never-before-seen footage, was part of the reason the tribute seemed timely.

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

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

“We think this will be a special time to recognize these great songs,” he said.

When asked if Andrew Ridgeley of Wham! or if anyone connected to Michael’s estate would be involved, Toffler stressed that the VMAs were not presenting any awards to Michael.

“We just recognize his songs,” he said.

Toffler described the performance as “truly a true musical tribute to (Michael’s) music.”

Raye, 28, made her solo debut at the VMAs on 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 VMA stage for this 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 her hit “Lose Control” earned her four nominations.