Adam Lambert Praises George Michael’s Grace and Confidence After Singer Was Forced to Come Out: ‘He Didn’t Apologize’
Adam Lambert has opened up about the profound influence George Michael had on his life and career, praising the late pop icon for the “grace and confidence” he showed when his sexuality became public under difficult circumstances.
The American Idol alum shared his reflections during an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE on the red carpet at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, September 27. Lambert also took part in a star-studded tribute to Michael, delivering the closing performance of the emotional musical celebration.
For Lambert, Michael’s legacy went far beyond his remarkable voice and songwriting abilities. The singer’s response to being forced into the public spotlight over his sexuality also left a lasting impression on him.
Adam Lambert Reveals How George Michael Inspired Him
Reflecting on his musical influences growing up, Lambert, 44, revealed that Michael and Michael Jackson were the two male artists he admired most.
“When I was growing up, him and Michael Jackson were my two male artists that I liked,” Lambert told PEOPLE.
He went on to praise Michael’s extraordinary versatility, highlighting his talents as a vocalist, songwriter and producer.
“The stuff that George did with his voice, I mean, he was such a good singer, and a great writer and a great producer,” Lambert said.
However, it was Michael’s handling of a deeply personal moment that made an especially powerful impression on the singer.
Lambert pointed to the circumstances surrounding Michael’s public coming-out journey, explaining that the late star demonstrated a level of self-assurance that resonated with him and the wider LGBTQ+ community.
“At that time, I thought he did it with such grace and confidence and didn’t apologize and he owned it,” Lambert recalled.
“He stood up for himself and he called out the media and everybody else.”
Lambert added that Michael’s response remained something he looked back on with pride, describing the way he handled the situation as “really, really beautiful.”
The Difficult Circumstances Behind George Michael’s Coming Out
Michael’s public coming out followed his 1998 arrest for a so-called “lewd act” in a Beverly Hills park.
The incident brought intense media scrutiny and ultimately led the Wham! frontman to speak publicly about his sexuality. In an interview with CNN shortly after the arrest, Michael explained that he had felt compelled to address the matter himself, even though the circumstances were not what he had intended.
“I don’t feel any shame. I feel stupid and I feel reckless and weak for having allowed my sexuality to be exposed this way,” Michael said at the time. “But I don’t feel any shame whatsoever.”
His remarks reflected the distinction between being open about who he was and having such a personal aspect of his life exposed through a public controversy.
For Lambert, that distinction is part of what makes Michael’s response so meaningful. Rather than apologizing for his identity, the singer stood up for himself and challenged the media attention surrounding the incident.
Lambert’s comments also underscored the importance of seeing a globally recognized artist navigate such a moment with confidence, particularly for members of the LGBTQ+ community who were looking for representation.
Adam Lambert Joins Star-Studded George Michael Tribute at the 2026 VMAs
Lambert’s reflections came as he joined several artists for a tribute celebrating Michael’s enduring influence at the 2026 MTV VMAs.
The performance featured Sombr, RAYE, Teddy Swims, MEEK, MNEK, Saint Harrison and Lambert, bringing together performers from different musical backgrounds to honor the late star’s catalog.
Singer Orville Peck introduced the tribute, describing Michael as a pop icon whose career helped shape modern music and whose work frequently challenged cultural expectations.
“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,” Peck said.
He also highlighted the cultural impact of Michael’s music videos, including “I Want Your Sex,” “Freedom! ’90” and “Outside,” noting how the songs and their accompanying visuals became statements that extended beyond the music itself.
Peck then introduced the celebration of Michael’s legacy, including a look ahead to the upcoming concert film and live album associated with the Faith Tour.
From ‘Faith’ to ‘Freedom! ’90’: Inside the Musical Celebration
The tribute unfolded through a series of performances featuring some of Michael’s best-known songs.
Sombr opened with “Faith” and “Father Figure,” setting the tone for the celebration. RAYE followed with “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” while Teddy Swims took on the much-loved ballad “Careless Whisper.”
Lambert brought the performance to its conclusion with “Freedom! ’90,” one of Michael’s defining hits.
He was joined onstage by MEEK, MNEK and Saint Harrison, turning the closing number into a full-stage celebration of the singer’s music and cultural legacy.
The appearance gave Lambert an opportunity to honor an artist whose work had helped shape his own musical tastes long before he became a household name through American Idol.
George Michael’s Legacy Continues 10 Years After His Death
The 2026 tribute came 10 years after Michael died at the age of 53. It also marked 40 years since the release of Faith, the landmark album that helped establish him as one of the defining pop artists of his generation.
Michael’s career included numerous chart successes, acclaimed music videos and four MTV Video Music Awards. In 1989, he also received the ceremony’s Video Vanguard Award in recognition of his contribution to music videos.
His influence continues through the artists who grew up listening to his music, including Lambert, whose admiration extends from Michael’s vocal abilities to the way he confronted public scrutiny.
That combination of musical talent and personal conviction was central to Lambert’s tribute. For him, celebrating Michael meant recognizing not only the songs that made him famous but also the example he set when faced with a difficult and deeply personal public ordeal.
New George Michael Projects Set to Honor His Music
Michael’s music is also set to reach audiences through new releases connected to his celebrated Faith Tour.
A live album titled George Michael: The Faith Tour is scheduled for release in November 2026, while a feature-length film of the same name is expected to arrive in theaters in December.
The projects will offer fans another opportunity to experience the performances and music that helped define Michael’s career.
For Lambert, however, the late singer’s impact cannot be measured through recordings and awards alone. His admiration reflects the lasting impression Michael made on fellow artists and fans through both his creative achievements and the way he stood up for himself.
As Lambert’s closing performance of “Freedom! ’90” demonstrated, Michael’s music continues to connect generations of performers, while the courage and confidence he displayed during a difficult chapter of his life remain an important part of his legacy.
