Raye, Teddy Swims, Adam Lambert Honor George Michael at VMAs

Raye, Sombr, Teddy Swims and surprise guest Adam Lambert performed a leather-clad medley of George Michael's songs at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night, paying tribute to the singer who died a decade ago on Christmas Day.

Sombr opened the segment with "Faith" and "Father Figure." Raye followed with "Knew You Were Waiting," and Teddy Swims took on "Careless Whisper." Adam Lambert closed the performance with "Freedom 90," joined by young U.K. singers Meck and Saint Harison.

The tribute commemorates the upcoming 40th anniversary of Michael's 1987 blockbuster debut solo album, Faith. It also coincides with two major releases: The Faith Tour, a live album due out November 6, and a feature-length film, George Michael: The Faith Tour, which opens in cinemas worldwide on December 11.

Michael was a VMA favorite during his lifetime. He earned four Moon Person trophies from 16 nominations, and he won Best Direction in a Video for co-directing "Father Figure" with Andy Morahan. Madonna presented him with the Video Vanguard Award in 1989 — the same Madonna who returned to the VMA stage on Sunday to perform for the first time in 23 years.

The tribute slot carried weight for its performers as well. It was Raye's second VMA performance; she received two nominations this year, including Song of the Year for "Where Is My Husband!" Sombr's appearance coincided with three VMA nominations of his own. Teddy Swims, who received no 2026 VMA nominations, will release a new album, Ugly, in January.

Adam Blackstone served as music director for the tribute. Blackstone assembled the Super Bowl halftime shows for Dr. Dre and Rihanna, among others.

Snoop Dogg hosted the ceremony, which aired on CBS and MTV and also featured a Dolly Parton tribute. The full show is available to stream on Paramount+.

With the Faith live album arriving in November and the concert film following in December, the VMA medley served as the public opening move in a season that will keep George Michael's catalog in the spotlight through the anniversary year.