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Awards Death Legacy The Faith Tour

George Michael Tribute at MTV Music Video Awards 2026

George Michael fan opinions of the MTV Video Music Awards tribute to George Michael on Sunday, September 27, have been mostly negative, ranging from a few who appreciate George Michael getting honored to others complaining about performances and choices of singers. The tribute also trended on Threads, with mostly negative views of the performances.

The tribute, nearly ten years after George Michael’s death and nearly 40 year after the release of Faith, featured, Sombr, RAYE, Teddy Swims, and Adam Lambert.

Sombr Opens with “Faith” and “Father Figure”

Sombr, wearing a leather jacket originally worn by George Michael in the 1989 Diet Coke commercial, started the tribute out with “Faith” and “Father Figure.”

RAYE Sings “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)”

While RAYE originally wanted to sing “Last Christmas” for the tribute and talked about how much her father liked George Michael, she ended up singing “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” George Michael’s 1987 duet with Aretha Franklin, which went to #1 on the charts.

Teddy Swims Sings “Careless Whisper”

In what was thought to be the final performance of the tribute, Teddy Swims gave his rendition of “Careless Whisper,” calling it an “honor and privilege” to be involved in the tribute.

Adam Lambert’s Surprise Performance

Adam Lambert’s appearance was not announced before the awards show. Singing “Freedom ’90,” Lambert was joined by singer Meek and MNEK, as well as Sombr, RAYE, and Teddy Swims. His performance was widely considered the best performance of the night, with some fans going so far as to say that it should have been the only performance. There was no word whether this surprise performance was always planned or if it was in reaction to the outcry that a gay artist should have been included in the original lineup.

A Tribute Timed with New George Michael Releases

While the reference to the 40th anniversary of Faith in the press release for the VMAs is a bit confusing (as it’s only the 39th anniversary of Faith), the tribute lines up with the tenth anniversary of George Michael’s death.

As reported previously George Michael: The Faith Tour Live Album will be released on November 6, 2026 and George Michael: The Faith tour film will be released to theaters internationally on November 4 and in the U.S. on December 11, 2026.

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Along with the George Michael: The Faith Tour film, fans are getting to choose between new vinyl, CD, and digital options of The Faith Tour. The 18-track collection is available for preorder and will be available November 6, 2026. Please note some choices are 16-track collections.

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Awards Death Legacy

George Michael to Be Honored at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards

As the tenth anniversary of his death approaches, George Michael will be honored at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards this Sunday, September 27, 2026, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. ET/4:30-6:30 p.m. PT during the live broadcast on CBS, MTV, and Paramount+.

A news release from Paramount states:

The “VMAs” tribute to the global multi-genre icon, who remains one of the best-selling artists of all time, comes 40 years after his career-defining album, FAITH, and ahead of the worldwide release of George Michael: The Faith Tour live album (Nov. 6) and the feature-length film “George Michael: The Faith Tour” (in cinemas across the U.S. Dec. 11). A four-time “VMAs” winner, Michael was honored with the Video Vanguard Award in 1989. 

George Michael’s History with MTV

According to Billboard:

“George was such a big part of MTV’s history, and my history at the VMAs,” says Van Toffler, returning producer of the 2026 VMAs, citing Michael’s performance of “Freedom ’90” during the channel’s 1991 10th Anniversary celebration as a particular highlight from his MTV history. “I would strongly encourage that you go back and look at it… He was in a small room with a choir, and it was unbelievable. And I think that those songs are so rich.”

During his lifetime, George Michael won many MTV Awards and was known for iconic moments on MTV. In 1989, he won the Video Vanguard Award.

Tribute Performances

The tribute will include performance by RAYE, Teddy Swims, and Sombr. No song list is currently available.

Toffler also points to the tribute’s wide-ranging trio of younger performers as evidence of Michael’s enduring legacy: “They’re all George Michael fans, so we think it’ll be a killer moment to recognize those great songs.”

Visit our Amazon UK Store for the Latest Faith Tour Products (Ad)

Along with the George Michael: The Faith Tour film, fans are getting to choose between new vinyl, CD, and digital options of The Faith Tour. The 18-track collection is available for preorder and will be available November 6, 2026. Please note some choices are 16-track collections.

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New to Yours Only George? Check out What You’ve Missed!

Your Daily Dose of George Michael

Celebrate George Michael’s legacy with us. Follow Yours Only George on YouTube, Facebook, X, Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, Tumblr, and Pinterest to be part of a community that keeps his spirit alive. Want the latest news, features, and special projects? Join our mailing list and stay connected to everything George Michael.

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Andrew Ridgeley Awards

George Michael Awarded Fellowship of The Ivors Academy: A Legacy Honored

George Michael Fellowship of The Ivors Academy

George Michael’s extraordinary songwriting legacy has been recognized with one of the highest honors in British music: induction into the Fellowship of The Ivors Academy at this year’s Ivor Novello Awards. The Fellowship, reserved for the most influential and enduring contributors to the craft of songwriting, places George among a select group of creators whose work has shaped the cultural and emotional landscape of generations.

A Moment of Pride, Friendship, and Recognition

Andrew Ridgeley, who co‑founded Wham! with George and shared the earliest chapters of his musical journey, spoke with deep affection about what this honor would have meant to him while accepting the award. He described the Fellowship as an accolade George would have been “immensely proud” to receive, noting that George held the craft of songwriting in the highest regard.

It’s an honor and a privilege to bear witness to his work full stop, and to accept on his behalf. He would have been immensely proud to be recognized by the academy in this way, to be placed amongst some of the finest songwriters.

A great moment, and very, very touching indeed, and he would have been extremely moved.

Andrew Ridgeley

A Songwriting Legacy Without Equal

The Ivors Academy highlighted what fans and fellow musicians have long known: George Michael was not only a global superstar, but one of Britain’s most gifted and influential songwriters.

He remains the only solo songwriter to have won the prestigious Ivor Novello Songwriter of the Year award three times — a testament to his mastery of melody, lyricism, and emotional truth.

Why This Honor Matters: George’s Own Words

George often spoke about how deeply he valued recognition from fellow songwriters. When he won his very first Ivor Novello Award, he described the moment with striking honesty:

It was the first proper sign from within the industry that what I was doing was actually worthwhile. And that was the reason that I got so emotional.

George Michael

That early validation stayed with him throughout his life. It shaped his understanding of his craft, his confidence as a writer, and his belief that songs could be both personal and universal.

To see him now inducted into the Fellowship — the highest honor The Ivors Academy can bestow — feels like the natural culmination of that journey.

Celebrating Excellence in the Craft

The Ivors Academy described the Fellowship as a celebration of George’s excellence and impact in the art and craft of music creation, as well as his enduring influence worldwide. It is a recognition not only of his chart success, but of the depth and integrity of his songwriting — qualities that continue to inspire new generations of artists.

A Fitting Tribute to a Timeless Artist

George Michael’s induction into the Fellowship of The Ivors Academy is more than an award. It is a statement about legacy — about the power of songs that continue to comfort, challenge, uplift, and connect people long after their creator is gone.

It is also a reminder of the man behind the music: brilliant, generous, complex, and endlessly creative.

George Michael’s voice, his words, and his spirit continue to echo. And now, with this Fellowship, his place among the greatest songwriters of all time is formally, and forever, affirmed.

Celebrate George’s legacy with us. Follow Yours Only George on Facebook, X, Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, Tumblr, and Pinterest to be part of a community that keeps his spirit alive. Want the latest news, features, and special projects? Join our mailing list and stay connected to everything George.

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Awards Careless Whisper Faith Wham!

George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” Tops Smooth’s All Time Top 500 for 9th Year

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George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” is #1 on 2026’s All Time Top 500 for Smooth Radio. It is the eighth year in a row that “Careless Whisper” has topped the chart and the ninth year at #1. On top of that, “A Different Corner” landed in the #2 spot this year.

George Michael had a total of 20 songs in Smooth’s Top 500. Most songs moved up in the rankings, with the exception of “Club Tropicana.” Here is the ranking:

  • #1 “Careless Whisper”
  • #2 “A Different Corner” (moved up from #3 last year)
  • #7 “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” (duet with Elton John) (moved up from #9 last year)
  • #12 “Father Figure” (moved up from #32 last year)
  • #15 “Jesus to a Child” (moved up from #23 last year)
  • #20 “FastLove” (moved up from #67 last year)
  • #31 “Everything She Wants” (moved up from #114 last year)
  • #32 “Faith” (moved up from #108 last year)
  • #48 “Freedom 90” (moved up from #117 last year)
  • #50 “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” (duet with Aretha Franklin) (moved up from #105 last year)
  • #54 “Praying for Time” (moved up from #86 last year)
  • #56 “Somebody to Love” (with Queen) (same as last year)
  • #65 “One More Try” (moved up from #110 last year)
  • #88 “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” (moved up from #97 last year)
  • #94 “I’m Your Man” (moved up from #138 last year)
  • #151 “As” (duet with Mary J. Blige) (moved up from #274 last year)
  • #167 “The Edge of Heaven” (move up from #323 last year)
  • #176 “Club Tropicana” (dropped from #82 last year)
  • #238 “Freedom” (moved up from #288 last year)
  • #259 “Heal the Pain” (entered back into the charts this year)

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Andrew Ridgeley Awards Careless Whisper Wham!

George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” Tops Smooth’s All Time Top 500 for 8th Year

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George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” is #1 on 2025’s All Time Top 500 for Smooth Radio. It is the seventh year in a row that “Careless Whisper” has topped the chart, and the eighth year at #1.

Andrew Ridgeley spoke to Smooth Radio about “Careless Whisper” reaching number one for the eighth year:

In the top 10, George Michael’s “A Different Corner” ranked at #3 for another year and “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” George’s duet with Elton John, moved up two spots to the #9 spot.

George Michael Rankings in Smooth’s Top 500

George Michael had a total of 19 songs in Smooth’s Top 500. Most songs moved up in the rankings, with the exception of “One More Try” and “The Edge of Heaven.” Here is the ranking:

  • #1 “Careless Whisper”
  • #3 “A Different Corner” (same as last year)
  • #9 “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” (duet with Elton John) (moved up from #11 last year)
  • #23 “Jesus to a Child” (moved up from #31 last year)
  • #32 “Father Figure” (moved up from #48 last year)
  • #56 “Somebody to Love” (with Queen) (moved up from #80 last year)
  • #67 “FastLove” (moved up from #104 last year)
  • #82 “Club Tropicana” (moved up from #105 last year)
  • #86 “Praying for Time” (moved up from #138 last year)
  • #97 “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” (moved up from #140 last year)
  • #105 “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” (duet with Aretha Franklin) (moved up from #114 last year)
  • #108 “Faith” (moved up from #116 last year)
  • #110 “One More Try” (dropped from #109 last year)
  • #114 “Everything She Wants” (moved up from #178 last year)
  • #117 “Freedom 90” (moved up from #169 last year)
  • #138 “I’m Your Man” (moved up from #163 last year)
  • #274 “As” (duet with Mary J. Blige) (moved up from #313 last year)
  • #288 “Freedom” (moved up from #320 last year)
  • #323 “The Edge of Heaven” (dropped from #284 last year)

“Heal the Pain” dropped out of the Top 500 this year. Last year it was #453.

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