Sombr Wore George Michael’s Jacket During His 2026 MTV VMAs Tribute
Photo: Glenn Bryce
At the 2026 MTV VMAs, a special tribute performance was held to honor the legacy of George Michael—the late pop star who helped define the 1980s (and still remains one of the best-selling artists of all time).
To honor his incredible life and career, some of the buzziest singers of the moment gathered to perform some of Michael’s biggest hits. Sombr opened the tribute with Michael’s tracks “Faith” and “Father Figure,” while Raye followed it up with “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” his 1987 song with Aretha Franklin. Teddy Swims then sang “Careless Whisper,” and Adam Lambert closed out the set with “Freedom! ’90.”
For Sombr, getting asked to honor Michael tonight was a special honor. “George’s music is as relevant and timeless as ever. I grew up listening to his music, and he’s been such a big inspiration,” Sombr tells Vogue of being a part of the evening. “The fact he wrote, produced, and performed all his own music is so inspiring to me, because I do the same. He was also 19 when he broke internationally. I wish I could have gotten to meet him.”
To accompany the music, meanwhile, Sombr also chose to honor Michael’s legacy through his performance attire tonight: He wore a leather jacket that was owned and worn by Michael himself. “George was such an icon, not only because of his timeless music and songwriting, but his style,” says Sombr.
The black Harley-Davidson jacket was first worn by Michael during his 1988 Faith Tour. (He also wore the jacket in his famous Diet Coke commercial.) The style was customized by Michael himself, with chain link and pins. “To wear a jacket that has become so synonymous with that era was pretty surreal, and an honor,” says Sombr, who styled it with no shirt, layered necklaces, and matching leather trousers by ERL for his performance.
The VMAs honoring Michael this evening is a fitting move, given that he himself was a four-time VMA winner (including receiving the prestigious Video Vanguard Award in 1989). For longtime fans of the singer, who died in 2016, there will be even more content to indulge in around him these next few months: George Michael: The Faith Tour live album will be released on November 6, and a feature-length film—titled George Michael: The Faith Tour—will also hit cinemas on December 11.
For Sombr, being a part of these celebrations—a decade after his passing—was sentimental and special. “I couldn’t say no when asked to be part of this tribute. The man is a legend!”
This article was originally published on Vogue.com.