George Michael’s VMAs tribute brutally slammed but one detail was hailed for ‘saving’ it
The MTV Video Music Awards honoured the late George Michael with a rousing tribute show, but not all viewers were impressed by the star-studded affair.
Taylor Swift’s prodigy Sombr was joined on the Phoenix Theatre stage by British singer-songwriter Raye, American Idolalum Adam Lambert and ‘Lose Control’ singer Teddy Swims on Sunday (27 September).
The former, wearing a black Harley-Davidson jacket that was originally worn by the late great singer during his 1988 Faith Tour, took on ‘Faith’, which rolled into a touching rendition of ‘Father Figure’.
“To wear a jacket that has become so synonymous with that era was pretty surreal, and an honour,” Sombr told Vogue.
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Raye then made her VMA debut with ‘I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me), which Michael sang with Aretha Franklin in 1987.
Teddy Swims was in charge of ‘Careless Whisper’ while Lambert, joined by Meek and MNEK, fronted ‘Freedom! (’90)’, released by the four-time VMA winner in 1990.
While the MTV VMA musical medley went down a treat in Los Angeles, it appeared to be a different story online.
“Can nobody sing anymore these days wtf??? George deserves better,” one X user baulked.
A second remarked: “This kid cannot sing. George Micheal deserved better.”
“Atrocious! George Michael deserved better,” echoed someone elese.
Another added: “Nothing good to say about this tribute other than Adam Lambert’s performance.”
It seems Lambert’s surprise apperance is the internet’s saving grace, with many VMA viewers taking to social media to praise the 44-year-old American.
“Adam Lambert performing FREEDOM at the George Michael tribute SLAYYYYYY!,” an X user gushed.
Someone else replied: ‘That george michael tribute really didn’t do much to honour his artistry or legacy at all tbh and i know i’m not biased when I say adam lambert walking out to sing freedom instantly gave it some much needed life. Disappointed that his part was so short, should have just been him.”
“Adam lambert saved that George Michael tribute my god,” a third said.
Ahead of his tribute, Lambert told the Associated Press that the Wham! icon had a lasting impact on him as a teenager.
“Not only was he the most incredible singer and songwriter, but I really like the way he represented himself—even when he was outed in the late 90s, which is such a crazy story.
“I think he handled it really well. He was really graceful about it; he was unapologetic; he was confident; and he stood up for himself.”
The Broadway star, who most recently completed a run as Judas Iscariot in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl, continued: “Seeing that as a teenager was really impactful.
“Anybody else in the community would be like—yeah, don’t apologise.”
The George Michael VMA tribute came ahead of the Faith Tour being revisited with a new concert film, set to hit theatres on 11 December.
MTV VMAs producer and former MTV executive Van Toffler told Billboard that the upcoming film, featuring previously unseen footage, was part of the reason the tribute felt timely.
“George was such a big part of MTV’s history and my history at the VMAs,” Toffler said, recalling Michael’s ‘unbelievable’ performance of ‘Freedom! (‘90)’ during MTV’s 10th anniversary special in 1991.
Ella Scott