10:02 PM EDT on September 27, 2026

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

There was a George Michael tribute on the VMAs tonight. It makes sense. Michael was an MTV icon, one of the most important artists of the network's first decade, so any time they want to honor him, they should.

Michael already won the Video Vanguard award way back in 1989, at the height of his fame. (Madonna, who opened tonight's show, was the presenter.) So tonight's tribute was not presented in that context. And anyhow, this year's Video Vanguard Award went to Nirvana.

The tribute started with Sombr, who was afforded two songs, "Faith" and "Father Figure." Next came Raye, who gave her own performance earlier in the night, to do the Aretha Franklin collab "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)." Teddy Swims was up next to sing "Careless Whisper." And then Adam Lambert emerged to do "Freedom '90" with assists from MNEK, Meek, and Saint Harison.

Check out clips from the tribute below.

Sombr performing ‘Father Figure’ during George Michael’s tribute at the #VMAs. pic.twitter.com/NhbZYgsmcY

Raye performing at the 2026 #VMAs as part of a tribute to George Michael. pic.twitter.com/w9zybRrd49

adam lambert ???? walking out in that fringe with a purpose!!!! ❤️❤️ #vmas pic.twitter.com/npxdqv9PyG

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