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George Michael fans recoiled in horror at the tribute medley to the late pop star at the MTV Video Music Awards this Sunday night.
This Christmas will mark the 10-year anniversary of Michael’s death of heart and liver problems at the age of 53, after a public life buffeted by repeated drug scandals.
Teddy Swims, Raye and Sombr were assembled to pay homage to him at Sunday’s ceremony, which was held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Viewers poured scorn on Swims online and called him a ‘mess,’ with one X user going as far as to joke that he had ‘killed George Michael all over again.’
However the extravaganza was saved by a surprise appearance from Adam Lambert, who set the audience ablaze with a rendition of Michael’s classic Freedom! ’90.
His was the only performance to come in for overwhelming praise on social media, where one X user wrote: ‘The entire tribute should’ve been Adam Lambert.’
George Michael fans recoiled in horror at the tribute performance to the late pop star at the MTV Video Music Awards this Sunday night
(from left) Saint Harison, Adam Lambert, MNEK, Raye, Meek, Sombr and Teddy Swims are pictured honoring Michael at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday
Sombr, 21, whose Christian name is Shane Boose, was enlisted to cover Michael’s songs Faith and Father Figure, both from his 1987 debut solo album.
Meanwhile Raye, 28, aka Rachel Keen, sang I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me), a duet that Michael performed with Aretha Franklin also in 1987.
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Swims, 34, was entrusted with one of Michael’s best-known numbers, Careless Whisper, released in 1981 when he was in the duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgley.
For his barn-burning version of Freedom! ’90, Lambert was backed by singers including Saint Harison, MNEK and Meek, as well as Raye, Swims and Sombr.
‘Teddy Swims killed George Michael all over again. What a miss. Adam Lambert should have handled the whole damn tribute, though Raye & Sombr acquitted themselves admirably,’ one X user huffed.
‘I think Teddy Swims connected well with the song’s tale, but his voice couldn’t do some of the highlights George did,’ another said more gently, before adding: ‘Sombr was so bad I’d rather listen to myself sing “Father Figure.”‘
‘It was awful. Adam saved it. I don’t know who that skinny dude was but he sucked,’ grumbled a third, presumably in reference to Sombr.
‘Raye is usually much better. Seemed to have some tech problems,’ said another in more charitable vein. ‘Thank goodness for Adam Lambert.’
MTV VMAs 2026 winners: AT A GLANCE
Video of the Year: Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Artist Director Honors: Taylor Swift
Best Direction: Taylor Swift – Opalite
Best New Artist: Sienna Spiro
Best Pop: Lisa – Dream
Taylor Swift earned top honor Video of the Year
Artist of the Year: Madonna
Best Collaboration: Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter – Bring Your Love
Best Dance: Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)
Best Cinematography: Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)
Best Choreography: Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)
Best Visual Effects: Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)
Best Long Form Video: Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)
The extravaganza was saved by a surprise appearance by Adam Lambert, who set the audience ablaze with a rendition of Michael’s classic Freedom! ’90
Swims, 34, was entrusted with one of Michael’s best-known numbers, Careless Whisper, released in 1981 when he was in the duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgley
Meanwhile Raye, 28, aka Rachel Keen, sang I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me), a duet that Michael performed with Aretha Franklin also in 1987
Sombr, 21, whose Christian name is Shane Boose, was enlisted to cover Michael’s songs Faith and Father Figure, both from his 1987 debut solo album
Viewers poured scorn on Swims online and called him a ‘mess,’ with one X user going as far as to shriek that he had ‘killed George Michael all over again’
Still another struck a note of sympathy, tweeting: ‘It must be very hard to pay tribute to George Michael. There will never be another talent like him. He was one of a kind.’
Michael had warm words for Lambert’s singing abilities in 2010, when the latter had just achieved his first dose of stardom as a contestant on American Idol.
‘He’s the guy with the eyeliner and black nails, right? I’ve heard him perform. He certainly seems talented,’ said Michael to People.
Having risen to fame nearly three decades before Lambert did, Michael reflected on their differing experiences of being gay in the public eye.
‘I didn’t come out until after my mother died, as I was sure the papers would attack me and that would hurt her,’ recalled the English pop icon. ‘Adam is out, so he won’t have that problem. I wish him a lot of success.’
Four years after the Last Christmas singer died, Lambert remarked that he would be interested in playing Michael in a potential biopic
‘I’d like to see a George Michael biopic,’ he told Metro. ‘I think that would be very interesting. That’d be cool, I just feel like, we don’t know that much about him. You know, to me, it would be great to kind of explore George’s life.’
MTV Video Music Awards 2024 WINNERS
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Republic Records
Billie Eilish – “Lunch” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Doja Cat – “Paint The Town Red” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records
SZA – “Snooze” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – WINNER
Taylor Swift earned seven MTV VMAs to become most decorated solo artist ever
The Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award
Katy Perry – WINNER
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande – Republic Records
Bad Bunny – Rimas Entertainment
Eminem – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Sabrina Carpenter – Island
SZA – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records
Taylor Swift – Republic Records – WINNER
SONG OF THE YEAR
Beyoncé – “Texas Hold ‘Em” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records
Jack Harlow – “Lovin On Me” – Generation Now / Atlantic Records
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang, under exclusive license to Interscope Records
Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso” – Island – WINNER
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records
Teddy Swims – “Lose Control” – Warner Records
Taylor was bested by Sabrina Carpenter in the Song Of The Year category
BEST NEW ARTIST
Benson Boone – Night Street Records, Inc. / Warner Records
Chappell Roan – Island – WINNER
Gracie Abrams – Interscope Records
Shaboozey – American Dogwood / EMPIRE
Teddy Swims – Warner Records
Tyla – Epic Records
MTV PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
August 2023: Kaliii – “Area Codes” – Atlantic Records
September 2023: GloRilla – “Lick or Sum” – CMG / Interscope Records
October 2023: Benson Boone – “In the Stars” – Night Street Records, Inc. / Warner Records
November 2023: Coco Jones – “ICU” – Def Jam
December 2023: Victoria Monét – “On My Mama” – Lovett Music / RCA Records
January 2024: Jessie Murph – “Wild Ones” – Columbia Records
February 2024: Teddy Swims – “Lose Control” – Warner Records
March 2024: Chappell Roan – “Red Wine Supernova” – Island
April 2024: Flyana Boss – “Yeaaa” – Vnclm_/ Atlantic Records
May 2024: Laufey – “Goddess” – Laufey / AWAL
June 2024: Le Sserafim – “Easy” – Source Music / Geffen Records – WINNER
July 2024: The Warning – “Automatic Sun” – Lava / Republic Records
BEST COLLABORATION
Drake ft. Sexyy Red & SZA – “Rich Baby Daddy “ – OVO / Republic Records
GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion – “Wanna Be” – CMG / Interscope Records
Jessie Murph ft. Jelly Roll – “Wild Ones” – Columbia Records
Jung Kook ft. Latto – “Seven” – Bighit Music / Geffen Records
Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen – “I Had Some Help” – Mercury / Republic / Big Loud
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – WINNER
BEST POP
Camila Cabello – Geffen / Interscope Records
Dua Lipa – Warner Records
Olivia Rodrigo – Geffen Records
Sabrina Carpenter – Island
Tate McRae – RCA Records
Taylor Swift – Republic Records – WINNER
BEST HIP-HOP
Drake ft. Sexyy Red & SZA – “Rich Baby Daddy “ – OVO / Republic Records
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records – WINNER
GloRilla – “Yeah Glo!” – CMG / Interscope Records
Gunna – “Fukumean” – Young Stoner Life Records / 300 Entertainment
Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Hot Girl Productions
Travis Scott ft. Playboi Carti – “FE!N” – Cactus Jack / Epic Records
Eminem earned the Best Hip-Hop Honor for his Houdini music video
BEST R&B
Alicia Keys – “Lifeline” – AK Records / Gamma
Muni Long – “Made For Me” – Def Jam
SZA – “Snooze” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records – WINNER
Tyla – “Water” – Fax Records / Epic Records
Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage – “Good Good” – Mega / Gamma
Victoria Monét – “On My Mama” – Lovett Music / RCA Records
BEST ALTERNATIVE
Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things” – Night Street Records, Inc. / Warner Records – WINNER
Bleachers – “Tiny Moves” – Dirty Hit
Hozier – “Too Sweet” – Columbia Records
Imagine Dragons – “Eyes Closed” – KIDinaKorner / Interscope Records
Linkin Park – “Friendly Fire” – This Compilation / Warner Records
Teddy Swims – “Lose Control (Live)” – Warner Records
BEST ROCK
Bon Jovi – “Legendary” – Island
Coldplay – “Feelslikeimfallinginlove” – Atlantic Records
Green Day – “Dilemma” – Reprise Records / Warner Records
Kings of Leon – “Mustang” – Capitol Records
Lenny Kravitz – “Human” – Roxie Records Inc. / BMG Rights Management – WINNER
U2 – “Atomic City” – Interscope Records
BEST LATIN
Anitta – “Mil Veces” – Floresta Records / Republic Records / Universal Music Latin Entertainment – WINNER
Bad Bunny – “Monaco” – Rimas Entertainment
Karol G – “Mi Ex Tenia Razon” – Bichota / Interscope Records
Myke Towers – “Lala” – Warner Music Latina
Peso Pluma & Anitta – “Bellakeo” – Double P Records
Rauw Alejandro – “Touching the Sky” – Sony Music Latin / Duars Entertainment
Shakira & Cardi B – “Puntería” – Sony Music US Latin
BEST AFROBEATS
Ayra Starr ft. Giveon – “Last Heartbreak Song” – Mavin / Republic
Burna Boy – “City Boys” – Spaceship / Bad Habit / Atlantic Records
Chris Brown ft. Davido & Lojay – “Sensational” – Chris Brown Entertainment / RCA Records
Tems – “Love Me JeJe” – Since ’93 / RCA Records
Tyla – “Water” – Fax Records / Epic Records – WINNER
Usher, Pheelz – “Ruin” – mega / gamma.
Tyla earned Best Afrobeats for her Water music video
BEST K-POP
Jung Kook ft. Latto – “Seven” – Bighit Music / Geffen Records
Lisa – “Rockstar” – Lloud Co. / RCA Records – WINNER
NCT Dream – “Smoothie” – SM Entertainment / Virgin Music Group
NewJeans – “Super Shy” – ADOR / Geffen Records
Stray Kids – “Lalalala” – JYP Entertainment / Imperial / Republic Records
Tomorrow X Together – “Deja vu” – Bighit Music / Imperial / Republic Records
VIDEO FOR GOOD
Alexander Stewart – “If Only You Knew” – FAE Grp
Billie Eilish – “What Was I Made For (From the Motion Picture “Barbie”)” – Darkroom / Interscope Records – WINNER
Coldplay – “Feelslikeimfallinginlove” – Atlantic Records
Joyner Lucas & Jelly Roll – “Best for Me” – Twenty Nine Music Group
RAYE – “Genesis” – Human Re Sources
Tyler Childers – “In Your Love” – Hickman Holler Records / RCA Records
BEST DIRECTION
Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Republic Records – Directed by Christian Breslauer
Bleachers – “Tiny Moves” – Dirty Hit – Directed by Alex Lockett & Margaret Qualley
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records – Directed by Rich Lee
Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Hot Girl Productions – Directed by Daniel Iglesias Jr.
Sabrina Carpenter – “Please Please Please” – Island – Directed by Bardia Zeinali
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – Directed by Taylor Swift – WINNER
Taylor Swift and Post Malone’s Fortnight took home both Best Direction and Editing
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Republic Records – Cinematography by Anatol Trofimov – WINNER
Charli XCX – “Von Dutch” – Atlantic Records – Cinematography by Jeff Bierman
Dua Lipa – “Illusion” – Warner Records – Cinematography by Nikita Kuzmenko
Olivia Rodrigo – “Obsessed” – Geffen Records – Cinematography by Marz Miller
Rauw Alejandro – “Touching the Sky” – Sony Music Latin / Duars Entertainment – Cinematography by Camilo Monsalve
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – Cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto
BEST EDITING
Anitta – “Mil Veces” – Floresta Records / Republic Records / Universal Music Latin Entertainment – Editing by Nick Yumul
Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Republic Records – Editing by Luis Caraza Peimbert
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records – Editing by David Checel
Lisa – “Rockstar” – Lloud Co. / RCA Records – Editing by Nik Kohler
Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso” – Island – Editing by Jai Shukla
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – Editing by Chancler Haynes – WINNER
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Bleachers – “Tiny Moves” – Dirty Hit – Choreography by Margaret Qualley
Dua Lipa – “Houdini” – Warner Records – Choreography by Charm La’Donna – WINNER
Lisa – “Rockstar” – Lloud Co. / RCA Records – Choreography by Sean Bankhead
Rauw Alejandro – “Touching the Sky” – Sony Music Latin / Duars Entertainment – Choreography by Felix ‘Fefe’ Burgos
Tate McRae – “Greedy” – RCA Records – Choreography by Sean Bankhead
Troye Sivan – “Rush” – Capitol Records – Choreography by Sergio Reis, Mauro Van De Kerkhof
Dua Lipa took home Best Choreography for Houdini
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Ariana Grande – “The Boy is Mine” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Digital Axis
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records – Visual Effects by Synapse Virtual – WINNER
Production, Louise Lee, Rich Lee, Metaphysic, Flawless Post
Justin Timberlake – “Selfish” – RCA Records – “Selfish” – RCA Records – Visual Effects by Candice Dragonas
Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Hot Girl Productions – Visual Effects by Mathematic
Olivia Rodrigo – “Get Him Back!” – Geffen Records – Visual Effects by Cooper Vacheron, Preston
Mohr, Karen Arakelian, Justin Johnson
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Parliament
BEST ART DIRECTION
Charli XCX – “360” – Atlantic Records – Art Direction by Grace Surnow
Lisa – “Rockstar” – Lloyd Co. / RCA Records – Art Direction by Pongsan Thawatwichian
Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Hot Girl Productions – Art Direction by Brittany Porter – WINNER
Olivia Rodrigo – “Bad Idea Right?” – Geffen Records – Art Direction by Nicholas des Jardins
Sabrina Carpenter – “Please Please Please” – Island – Art Direction by Nicholas des Jardins
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – Art Direction by Ethan Tobman
BEST TRENDING VIDEO
Beyoncé – “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records
Camila Cabello ft. Playboi Carti – “I LUV IT” – Geffen / Interscope Records
Chappell Roan – “HOT TO GO!” – Amusement Records / Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Charli xcx – “Apple” – Atlantic Records
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Yuki Chiba – “Mamushi” – Hot Girl Productions – WINNER
Tinashe – “Nasty” – Nice Life Recording Company
Host Megan Thee Stallion earned Best Trending Video for Mamushi
BEST GROUP
NSYNC – RCA Records
Coldplay – Atlantic Records
Imagine Dragons – KIDinaKorner / Interscope Records
NCT Dream – SM Entertainment / Virgin Music Group
NewJeans – ADOR / Geffen Records
SEVENTEEN – PLEDIS Entertainment / Geffen Records – WINNER
TOMORROW X TOGETHER – BIGHIT MUSIC / IMPERIAL / Republic Records
Twenty One Pilots – Fueled By Ramen
SONG OF THE SUMMER
Ariana Grande – “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” – Republic Records
Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things” – Night Street Records, Inc. / Warner Records
Billie Eilish – “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Chappell Roan – “Good Luck, Babe!” – Amusement Records / Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Charli XCX & Billie Eilish – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” – Atlantic Records
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – “Like That” – Wilburn Holding Co. / Boominati / Epic / Republic
GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion – “Wanna Be” – CMG / Interscope Records
Hozier – “Too Sweet” – Columbia Records
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang, under exclusive license to Interscope Records
Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen – “I Had Some Help” – Mercury / Republic / Big Loud
Sabrina Carpenter – “Please Please Please” – Island
Shaboozey – “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – American Dogwood / EMPIRE
SZA – “Saturn” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – WINNER
Tommy Richman – “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” – ISO Supremacy / PULSE Records / Concord
VMAS MOST ICONIC PERFORMANCE
Beyoncé – “Love on Top”
Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Madonna, Missy Elliot – “Like a Virgin” & “Hollywood”
Eminem – “Real Slim Shady” & “The Way I Am”
Katy Perry – “Roar” – WINNER
Lady Gaga – “Paparazzi”
Madonna – “Like a Virgin”
Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me”
Katy Perry earned VMAs Most Iconic Performance for Roar
