George Michael honored at VMAs by Raye, Sombr, Teddy Swims - USA Today
George Michael and MTV were synonymous in the ‘80s with both his solo work (those “Faith” jeans!) and Wham! (that “Wake Me Before You Go-Go” neon!).
The enigmatic British superstar, who died in 2016 at age 53, was remembered for his contributions – both musical and visual – at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
The trio of Raye, Sombr, Teddy Swims and surprise guest Adam Lambert, honored the singer at the Sept. 27 show with a multi-hit tribute.
Sombr opened the homage, honoring that “Faith” video with his own fashion – leather pants and torso-baring jacket - as he bopped through a horn-infused version of the classic.
The “My Body Isn’t Ready” singer, eyes ringed with black liner, segued into “Father Figure” to debatable effect, replacing Michael’s hushed sensuality with his more nasally tone.
As photos of Michael rose above the stage, Raye arrived for a gospel-flavored “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” Michael’s 1986 hit with Aretha Franklin.
Of course any Michael tribute had to have good sax, and it arrived on cue for “Careless Whisper,” handled with decent depth by Swims, who performed in a lighted circle within the crowd.
Lambert closed out the well-crafted nod to Michael, bringing his electrifying presence to "Freedom! '90," a perfect embodiment of Michael’s spunkiness in his heyday.
The eclectic Raye – twice nominated this year − made her VMAs performance debut with a solo appearance as well as the Michael tribute, while three-time nominee Sombr and Swims, whose album “UGLY” is out Jan. 22, previously hit the MTV stage in 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Though Michael was notoriously press shy, he did make a lone appearance at the VMAs in 1989 to accept the Video Vanguard Award. He also won four VMAs in the late-‘80s and ‘90s.
This year’s tribute is tied to the 40th anniversary of his landmark “Faith” album, as well as the live album “George Michael: The Faith Tour” (out Nov. 6) and the concert film of the same name, which arrives in theaters Dec. 11.
Michael was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023.
