George Michael Tribute Set for 2026 MTV Video Music Awards

George Michael MJ Kim/Getty Images

George Michael will be honored at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, which are taking place Sunday in Los Angeles.

Raye, Sombr and Teddy Swims will take part in the tribute to the late singer, who died in 2016 at age 53.

Michael, himself a four-time VMA winner, was honored with MTV’s Video Vanguard Award in 1989. One of the best-selling artists of all time, Michael released his career-defining album, Faith, 40 years ago.

This year will also see the release of George Michael: The Faith Tour live album on Nov. 6 and the feature-length film George Michael: The Faith Tour, in cinemas across the U.S. on Dec. 11.

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This marks the VMAs performance debut for Raye, who also will give a solo performance during the show. She’s nominated for two VMAs, including song of the year for “Where Is My Husband!”

Sombr is nominated for three VMAs, including song of the summer and best alternative, which he won last year.

Swims, also a previous VMA nominee, kicks off the U.S. leg of his The Ugly Tour on Tuesday night in Kansas City.

Adam Blackstone will be music director for the tribute performance.

As previously announced, Nirvana will receive the Video Vanguard Award this year, while Taylor Swift will receive the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors.

Snoop Dogg is hosting the ceremony, which will open with a performance by Madonna, who leads the nominees with 13 mentions. Other performers will include Gener8ion, Yung Lean, Lisa, Shaboozey, Gunna and Sienna Spiro.

The 2026 VMAs, which are taking place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, will air Sept. 27 (7:30-9:30 p.m. ET/4:30-6:30 p.m. PT) on CBS and MTV and stream on Paramount+ (Premium) in the U.S. It also will be available globally the next day on Paramount+ and MTV.

The show is produced by Gunpowder & Sky, with Van Toffler producing. Jesse Ignjatovic of Den of Thieves, Barb Bialkowski and Bruce Gillmer serve as executive producers, alongside Barry Barclay and Floris Bauer. Snoop Dogg also is exec producer.