As a longtime RAYE fan it has been a treat to watch her mainstream rise to success in the last year. She scored a major hit with “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” and is currently serving as the opening act on Bruno Mars’s sold out stadium tour. She can now add VMA debut to her list of exceptional accomplishments for 2026.

Wearing a red sequined mermaid gown, she performed a medley of “I Will Overcome” and “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” that got the entire crowd on their feet. Shining like a star reaching new potential, her performance was a highlight and a promise that there is still some serious talent out there.

RAYE has slowly become an industry darling of sorts. She doesn’t sell the most records in the world, but she has developed a universal respect amongst fans and peers alike. Everyone from Teyana Taylor, Paris Hilton, Charli xcx, Troye Sivan and Flo took their chance to snap a pic with her. You know you’re that bitch when everyone wants to be seen with you.

She also answered a few questions on the carpet regarding her rumoured romance with Michael B. Jordan. Apparently they’re “just friends who like rollercoasters” and there may be a project coming up but she’s sworn to secrecy. Do I buy it? Maybe, but the gossip in me would love if they became a thing. Especially after all that manifesting for a husband she’s been doing performing that damn song every night. Rollercoasters are fun, but that’s always how it starts… just saying.

Her solo performance though was not her only stop on the stage. She later returned to take part in the George Michael tribute. The tribute marks the 10th anniversary of his death and the upcoming big screen release of his 1988 “Faith Tour” concert. RAYE performed “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)”, the duet he performed with Aretha. A fitting choice for an artist with a voice like hers. Definitely bold to perform anything Aretha has ever sang but if anyone can do it it’s her. She’s got soul for days.

I’ve been throwing strays at Sombr for a while now, but I have to say he killed his performance of “Faith and “Father Figure”. Wearing the very same leather jacket that George wore in the video for “Faith”, Sombr strolled across the stage with swag, flamboyance and a confidence that George would be so proud of. While fans of George Michael had some mixed reaction to the performance, I found that he actually did a pretty stellar job. I don’t think it’s fair to expect anyone to be on George’s level and Sombr made the right call not trying to imitate George’s vocal. He sang the song his way, and for this generation, Sombr is one of the leading male pop stars. It was the right choice for the tribute. Teddy Swims on the other hand was a little bit on the messier side. His performance of “Careless Whisper” left me and many viewers at home unimpressed. He does have the vocal chops, maybe he just succumbed to the pressure of such an important song.

Adam Lambert closed out the performance and stole the show with his operatic vocals and undeniable stage presence. Don’t forget that this is the man who has been basically acting as lead singer of Queen on the road for more than a decade, so if anyone was going to give the glam rock aesthetic and vocal powers of George, it was going to be Mr. Lambert. His performance of “Freedom” had Paris Hilton singing at the top of her lungs and me at home rejoicing along with him. He also holds the distinction of being the only queer artist that performed in the tribute. George Michael is not an easy artist to pay tribute to, so kudos to all these artists for even attempting.

Raye, Sombr, Teddy Swims, Adam Lambert at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, September 27, 2026

Photo credits:  John Salangsang/Tammie Arroyo/AFF-USA/Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

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