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.
New to Yours Only George? Check out What You’ve Missed!
- George Michael Tribute at MTV Music Video Awards 2026
- George Michael to Be Honored at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards
- From Faith to 25 Live: Two Iconic George Michael Looks Spotlighted at Auction
- WHAM! 10 Days in China Streaming Now
- WHAM! 10 Days in China: A Global Box Office Snapshot of the 2026 Event Release
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.
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.