The "American Idol" alum has never been shy about naming the artists who shaped him. But for the pop powerhouse, one legend's legacy goes far beyond the music.
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Nearly a decade after his tragic death, George Michael's influence on the music industry continues to resonate with some of today's biggest stars — and Adam Lambert is no exception.
Adam Lambert attends the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) at Peacock Theater on September 27 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
In fact, the "If I Had You" singer has long looked up to the late music icon.
On Sunday evening, September 27, Lambert had the chance to honor Michael when he made a surprise appearance during a musical tribute to the late singer. Ahead of the performance, Lambert opened up about the lasting impact Michael has had on his own life.
Adam Lambert performs a tribute to George Michael onstage during the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) at Peacock Theater on September 27 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
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"When I was growing up, him and Michael Jackson were my two male artists that I liked," Lambert said. "They were so influential. 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 the "cherry on top" was the way Michael navigated coming out. Following his 1998 arrest for a "lewd act" in a Beverly Hills park, the "Faith" singer later admitted he felt pressured into revealing to CNN that he was gay.
(-R) Saint Harison, Adam Lambert, MNEK, Raye, Meek, Sombr, and Teddy Swims perform a tribute to George Michael onstage during the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) at Peacock Theater on September 27 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
"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."
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He concluded, "I just think that was a really important thing for us to see as a community and I look back on that very often with pride. I think it's really, really beautiful that he handled it that way."
George Michael performs at Wembley Stadium on June 15, 1999 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Michael — who split from longtime partner Kenny Goss in 2011 after 13 years together — never intended to reveal his sexuality the way he did. And, as he later pointed out, life didn't exactly become easier for him once he had.
"For some strange reason, my gay life didn't get easier when I came out. Quite the opposite happened, really," he told the BBC in 2014. "The press seemed to take some delight that I previously had a 'straight audience,' and set about trying to destroy that."
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He added, "And I think some men were frustrated that their girlfriends wouldn't let go of the idea that George Michael just hadn't found the 'right girl' [yet]. Which is still what a lot of my extended family still think!"
George Michael arrives for his "A Different Story" Gala London Screening at Curzon Mayfair on December 5, 2005 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Years earlier, in 2007, Michael told The Independent that hiding his sexuality from the public had taken a deep psychological toll on him, but that he had done so to protect his mother.
"I was too immature to know I was sacrificing as much as I was," he said.
George Michael during the "George Michael: A Different Story" Tokyo Press Conference at Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel on December 15, 2005 in Japan. | Source: Getty Images
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He explained, "So firstly, understand how much I love my family and that AIDS was the predominant feature of being gay in the 1980s and early '90s as far as any parent was concerned. My mother was still alive and every single day would have been a nightmare for her thinking what I might have been subjected to."
"I'd been out to a lot of people since 19. I wish to God it had happened then," Michael reflected. "I don't think I would have the same career — my ego might not have been satisfied in some areas — but I think I would have been a happier man."
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