Sombr Wore George Michael’s Actual Leather Jacket for Tribute Performance at 2026 VMAs

Catherine SantinoMon, September 28, 2026 at 3:33 PM UTC

0

Sombr; George Michael.Credit: Rich Polk/Billboard via Getty; Pete Still/Redferns -

Sombr wore George Michael’s actual leather jacket to perform a tribute to the late singer-songwriter at the 2026 VMAs

Michael wore the jacket during his Faith Tour and in 1989 Diet Coke commercial

Teddy Swims, RAYE, Adam Lambert and more joined Sombr to perform a tribute to Michael 10 years after his death at age 53

Sombr honored George Michael at the 2026 MTV VMAs in more ways than one.

At the awards show on Sunday, Sept. 27 in Los Angeles, the 21-year-old singer took the stage to perform a tribute to the late pop star. For the performance, Sombr donned Michael’s actual customized leather jacket that he wore during his Faith Tour and in his iconic 1989 Diet Coke commercial.

The cropped jacket featured various embellishments and a silver chainmail panel on the back.

Sombr was also joined by Teddy Swims, RAYE, Adam Lambert, MEEK, MNEK and Saint Harison for the performance.

“George Michael was a pop god. He became an international superstar at only 19, writing and producing hit after hit, ruling the charts and paving the way for so many of us,” said Orville Peck in the tribute introduction at the Peacock Theater. “His music and videos were timeless anthems and powerful statements against the establishment. ‘I Want Your Sex’ was so raw that MTV ran a disclaimer in front of it.”

Sombr performing at the 2026 VMAs.Credit: Rich Polk/Billboard via Getty

The 38-year-old musician continued, “‘Freedom! ‘90‘ catapulted the era of the supermodel and the iconic outside was a reclamation of his own narrative. His millions of fans around the world are about to experience the Faith Tour like never before. With an upcoming concert film and live album, tonight we celebrate his legacy with some special guests who love him just as much as we do.”

Advertisement

The tribute opened with Sombr (whose real name is Shane Boose) singing “Faith” before launching into “Father Figure.” RAYE (Rachel Keen), 28, followed with “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” originally recorded by Michael and Aretha Franklin, with the late star’s vocals woven into the performance. Teddy Swims (Jaten Dimsdale), 34, then took the stage as a saxophone played the instantly recognizable opening notes of “Careless Whisper.”

George Michael onstage during his Faith Tour in 1988.Credit: Pete Still/Redferns

The tribute performance comes 10 years after the singer-songwriter died at age 53. He also released his career-defining album Faith 40 years ago.

— sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

A live album titled George Michael: The Faith Tour is scheduled to arrive in November, and a feature-length film titled George Michael: The Faith Tourwill hit theaters in December.

Before Michael died, he won four awards at the VMAs and was honored with the Video Vanguard Award in 1989.

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”