Sombr Paid Secret Homage to George Michael During All-Star 2026 VMAs Tribute With a Signature Piece of Late Singer’s Wardrobe

Sombr absolutely torched the stage at Sunday night’s (Sept. 27) 2026 MTV VMAs at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles when he kicked off a high-powered tribute to late pop icon George Michael with emotive covers of “Faith” and “Father Figure.”

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In addition to nailing the tricky vocals bits with gusto and emotion, the 21-year-old “Back to Friends” singer planted an Easter egg for hardcore Michael fans in plain sight. According to a spokesperson, Sombr was wearing one of Michael’s personal customized leather jackets from the Faith era during the performance.

The black leather Harley-Davidson motorcycle jacket featuring Michael’s chain link and pins customization was worn by the star on his 1988-1989 Faith tour and in his 1989 Diet Coke commercial directed by British filmmaker Stephen Frears.

Sombr spoke to Vogue about participating in the tribute to George, which came nearly 10 years after the former WHAM! frontman’s Christmas 2016 passing and also featured performances from RAYE, Teddy Swims, Adam Lambert, MNEK, MEEK and Saint Harison. “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,” he told the magazine. “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.”

As for why he chose to wear the leathers, Sombr said honoring Michael’s fashion sense was key as well. “George was such an icon, not only because of his timeless music and songwriting, but his style,” he said of his decision to wear the jacket with no shirt and matching leather pants. “To wear a jacket that has become so synonymous with that era was pretty surreal, and an honor … I couldn’t say no when asked to be part of this tribute. The man is a legend.”