Adam Lambert Reflects on George Michael’s Courage and Confidence After His 1998 Coming-Out Moment

Adam Lambert has opened up about one of the most significant moments in George Michael’s life, praising the late singer for the way he responded after his sexuality was thrust into the public spotlight in 1998.

Speaking to PEOPLE at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, Lambert, 44, said Michael handled the situation with a level of confidence and honesty that made a lasting impression on him as a young queer person.

“He Stood Up For Himself”

Michael’s sexuality became a major public story after his 1998 arrest in Beverly Hills. Shortly afterward, he addressed the issue publicly in a CNN interview, confirming that he was in a relationship with a man.

Rather than expressing shame over his sexuality, Michael made clear that he did not feel ashamed and did not believe he should.

Looking back on that period, Lambert said he admired the way Michael refused to apologize for who he was.

“At that time, I thought he did it with such grace and confidence and didn’t apologize and he owned it,” Lambert told PEOPLE. He added that Michael “stood up for himself and he called out the media and everybody else.”

For Lambert, the significance went beyond Michael’s personal experience. He believes the way the singer responded gave people within the LGBTQ+ community something important to see at a time when public attitudes and media coverage could make openly discussing sexuality particularly difficult.

“I just think that was a really important thing for us to see as a community,” Lambert said.

He added that he looks back on the moment “with pride,” describing the way Michael handled it as “really, really beautiful.”

A Moment That Became Part Of Michael’s Legacy

Michael’s 1998 CNN interview came after his arrest by an undercover police officer for engaging in a lewd act in a Beverly Hills public restroom. In the interview, he acknowledged that his sexuality had been exposed in circumstances he had not intended, while making clear that he felt no shame about being gay.

His response later became an important part of how the period was remembered, particularly because he did not retreat from the subject after it became public.

For Lambert, who grew up watching Michael’s career unfold, that openness was especially meaningful.

George Michael Was A Major Influence On Lambert

Lambert also reflected on Michael’s impact on his own musical upbringing.

“When I was growing up, him and Michael Jackson were my two male artists that I liked,” he said.

His admiration extended beyond Michael’s performances. Lambert praised him as “such a good singer, and a great writer and a great producer,” highlighting the breadth of his talent.

Michael’s influence was also being celebrated on the same night Lambert shared those reflections.

Lambert Joins George Michael Tribute At The 2026 VMAs

At the 2026 MTV VMAs, Lambert joined a group of artists paying tribute to Michael, whose death in 2016 came 10 years before this year’s ceremony.

The tribute featured Sombr, Teddy Swims, RAYE, MEEK, MNEK, Saint Harison and Lambert, with performances of some of Michael’s best-known songs. Sombr opened with “Faith” and “Father Figure,” followed by RAYE performing “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” and Teddy Swims taking on “Careless Whisper.” Lambert closed the tribute with “Freedom! ’90,” joined by MEEK, MNEK and Saint Harison.

The performance came as the music world marked a decade since Michael’s death at 53, while celebrating a legacy that continues to influence artists such as Lambert.

For Lambert, however, remembering Michael was about more than the hits. It was also about the courage he showed during one of the most difficult and public moments of his life — and the example that courage left behind.