RAYE, Sombr, Teddy Swims and Adam Lambert came together to honor George Michael during the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, with the tribute bringing several of the singer’s best-known songs to the VMAs stage. The performance took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, marking a decade since Michael’s death in December 2016.

Sombr opened the tribute with “Faith,” followed by “Father Figure.” RAYE then performed “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” before Teddy Swims took the stage for “Careless Whisper,” one of Michael’s signature songs. The performances were introduced by Orville Peck.

Adam Lambert then made a surprise appearance to close the tribute with “Freedom.” He was joined by RAYE, Sombr and Teddy Swims, as well as Saint Harison, Meek and MNEK, bringing the performers together for the finale. Lambert had not been announced as part of the tribute lineup before the ceremony.

The tribute had originally been announced with RAYE, Sombr and Teddy Swims as the featured performers, with Adam Blackstone serving as musical director. RAYE was making her VMAs performance debut, while Sombr returned to the VMAs stage after performing at the ceremony previously. Teddy Swims also returned after his 2024 VMAs appearance.

The performance came 40 years after the release of Michael’s landmark album Faith. The 1987 album produced several of his most recognizable songs and remains central to the current celebration of his career, with the tribute arriving ahead of the release of George Michael: The Faith Tour, a live album scheduled for Nov. 6.

A feature-length concert film, George Michael: The Faith Tour, is also scheduled to arrive in U.S. theaters on Dec. 11. The film and live album are part of a broader celebration of Michael’s Faith era and his touring legacy.

Michael was a four-time MTV Video Music Award winner during his career and received the Video Vanguard Award in 1989. His 1980s and 1990s videos and performances became closely associated with MTV during the network’s early years.

The 2026 VMAs were hosted by Snoop Dogg, with Madonna opening the ceremony and Nirvana receiving the Video Vanguard Award. The George Michael tribute was one of several segments connecting the current generation of performers with major figures from MTV’s history.