Adam Lambert proved once again that he can make almost any song his own when he took the stage to honor George Michael with a powerful rendition of the 1987 classic “Faith.”

The Queen frontman performed the song during the finale of ABC’s one-off television special Greatest Hits in 2016, delivering a performance that immediately captivated the audience.

Greatest Hits was a six-episode series celebrating some of the biggest songs from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. The program brought together major stars including Seal, John Legend, the Backstreet Boys, Sheryl Crow, Ariana Grande and Celine Dion to celebrate iconic music from recent decades.

For the finale, Lambert was given the honor of performing George Michael’s “Faith,” while Ariana Grande paid tribute to Whitney Houston with “How Will I Know” and John Legend performed Lauryn Hill’s “Ex-Factor.” The era from 1980 to 1985 was ultimately named the greatest musical period of the series.

Lambert has long spoken about his admiration for George Michael, making his choice of “Faith” especially fitting.

His energetic interpretation showcased his remarkable vocal control while preserving the spirit of Michael’s original hit. Rather than attempting to imitate the late singer, Lambert brought his own personality and powerful stage presence to the performance.

The tribute also reflected Lambert’s deep respect for legendary artists whose music influenced him.

Adam Lambert paid tribute to George Michael’s 1987 hit, ‘Faith’. Pictured, George on the Faith Tour in 1988. Picture: Getty

In 2020, Lambert revealed that he would be interested in portraying George Michael in a potential biopic. Speaking about the possibility, he said he believed Michael’s life would be fascinating to explore and even volunteered himself for the role.

“I’d give it a go,” Lambert said when asked whether he would consider playing the Wham! star.

The “Faith” performance also surfaced around the same period as another memorable Lambert collaboration that had begun years earlier.

In 2012, Queen + Adam Lambert embarked on a short European tour, including performances in Moscow, Wrocław and three nights at London’s Apollo. During that period, Lambert shared the stage with Queen drummer Roger Taylor for a memorable rendition of “Under Pressure.”

That collaboration was part of the journey that would eventually see Lambert become Queen’s touring frontman, performing alongside Brian May and Roger Taylor around the world.

Queen + Adam Lambert have since taken their shows across numerous countries, including South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and North America.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, May, Taylor and Lambert also found ways to continue performing together remotely, staging a series of performances from their homes. Queen later released Live Around the World, which reached No. 1 and gave the band its first chart-topping album in 25 years.

But Lambert’s performance of “Faith” remains a memorable example of his ability to honor a musical icon while keeping the performance unmistakably his own.

For fans of both Lambert and George Michael, it was more than simply a cover of a beloved 1980s hit. It was a heartfelt tribute from one extraordinary vocalist to another — and a reminder of why George Michael’s music continues to resonate with audiences decades later.

Queen and Adam Lambert took on the Led Zeppelin classic Whole Lotta Love this Monday (10 February) in Dunedin, New Zealand. You can watch the performance above.

The band’s current Rhapsody tour has seen a varying setlist – but Whole Lotta Love is the only cover the band has played across the dates.

While the cover might seem like a slightly odd choice to include, as good as the song is, it’s got an interesting place in the history of Queen and Adam Lambert – keyboardist Spike Edney caught Lambert performing the song on American Idol, and made the decision to hire him off the back of his acapella take on Bohemian Rhapsody. Edney told Rolling Stone: ‘I went in to refill my martini and I just caught the last minute of [Lambert] singing Whole Lotta Love. When he got to the very end I thought, ‘Here we go. Here’s where it counts.’ He sang the final cadence and just flew through it. It was effortless. I thought, ‘Wow. That takes some singing chops to be able to sing it with that kind of confidence.’ Then I googled him and the first thing I saw was him singing Bohemian Rhapsody acappella at his audition. I sent off an email saying, ‘I found a live one.’”

He also noted that a perfect impersonation wasn’t what Queen were looking for in a new vocalists, saying: “The thing is Adam doesn’t sound like Freddie, but he’s a fabulous singer and people have now put that to one side and are saying, “OK, he’s not Freddie, doesn’t sound like Freddie, doesn’t look like Freddie, but he’s bloody brilliant at what he does.”

It’s time for a classic “Who did it better?”

The 2014 mega-hit “Chandelier” by Sia is one of the most recognizable songs of the past few decades, and for good reason. It’s powerful, raw, and exceptionally catchy. While nothing can compare to Sia’s original recording, that hasn’t stopped two prominent artists from performing the song to the same dizzying degree in recent years: Kelly Clarkson and Adam Lambert!

In 2023, one enterprising fan stitched together a TikTok video showcasing Clarkson and Lambert belting out the song in their own distinct way.

Clarkson’s version is full of energy, and the way she can belt out that hook. She’s pitch-perfect, hitting high notes not even Sia did in the original! (It just goes to show that there really isn’t a song out there that the former Voice Coach can’t masterfully sing.)

Kelly Clarkson poses for a Season 6 promotional image for The Kelly Clarkson Show. Photo: Brian Bowen Smith/NBC

On the other hand, Lambert’s version of “Chandelier” was all about spectacle. As a trapeze artist soared high above the stage, he sang in a slightly different key than the original.

Adam Lambert performs at the Royal Albert Hall on June 05, 2023 in London, England. Photo: Matthew Baker/Getty Images

So, as far as who “did it better?” Both performances were equally mind-blowing, so let’s just say Clarkson and Lambert’s respective versions “superhuman” and call it a day.

Here’s what to know about “Chandelier”

Released in 2014 off Sia’s sixth studio album, 1000 Forms of Fear, “Chandelier” was a breakout hit for the singer-songwriter, who up until that point was known more for writing songs for other artists rather than herself. British music publication Gigwise gave that track rave reviews and declared that the song “springboards Sia from a behind-the-scenes genius into a superstar in her own right.”

The song spent an impressive 46 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #8 on August 23, 2014. (That’s not a typo — despite “Chandelier” still being in our heads over ten years later, it never topped the charts!)

Long before Adam Lambert became the powerhouse frontman of Queen, he was an American Idol contestant standing under the spotlight with an almost impossible challenge: taking on one of Led Zeppelin’s most legendary rock songs.

On May 5, 2009, during the show’s Top 4 “Rock Night,” Lambert delivered a performance of “Whole Lotta Love” that quickly became one of the defining moments of his American Idol journey.

What happened on that stage did far more than secure his place in the competition. It showed audiences — and some of the biggest names in rock — that Lambert was capable of commanding a classic rock anthem with a voice and theatrical presence entirely his own.

Breaking Through the Led Zeppelin Barrier

The choice of song was already extraordinary.

Led Zeppelin had famously been protective of its music, and the band had not previously allowed its songs to be performed on American Idol. Lambert’s performance therefore carried an additional level of anticipation.

The fact that the song was cleared for him made the performance feel like an endorsement of his potential before he had even stepped onto the stage.

And Lambert understood the assignment.

Rather than simply reproducing Robert Plant’s original performance, he brought his own combination of soaring high notes, powerful lower-register vocals and dramatic stage presence to the song.

The result was unmistakably Lambert.

Slash Had One Important Warning

The evening also featured legendary Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash as a guest mentor.

During rehearsals, Slash was impressed by Lambert’s extraordinary vocal ability but encouraged him to avoid relying too heavily on his highest register.

The advice was simple: use the strength of his lower notes and make the performance feel grounded in rock rather than turning it into a pure vocal showcase.

Lambert took that advice onto the stage, moving between deep, powerful vocals and the piercing screams that had already become one of his trademarks.

The Judges Were Blown Away

When the performance ended, the judges were almost unanimous in their praise.

Kara DioGuardi famously described Lambert as a “rock god,” recognizing something far beyond a typical American Idol contestant.

Randy Jackson pushed back against the idea that Lambert was simply a Broadway-style singer, arguing that the performance demonstrated his legitimacy as a recording artist.

Then came Simon Cowell.

Cowell acknowledged just how dangerous the song choice could have been, noting that attempting one of rock’s greatest songs could easily have ended in disaster.

Instead, he called it one of Lambert’s favorite performances and delivered a warning that would become particularly memorable:

“Nobody can top that now.”

For Lambert, it was the kind of television moment that can change the perception of an artist overnight.

And Then Queen Came Calling

But perhaps the most remarkable part of the story came later.

Lambert’s performances during the competition had caught the attention of Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor. Queen subsequently appeared during the American Idol finale, where Lambert performed alongside the legendary band.

That connection would eventually become something much bigger.

Lambert went from American Idol contestant to the vocalist of Queen + Adam Lambert, performing with May and Taylor on major international tours and in some of the world’s biggest venues.

In other words, that explosive night on American Idol wasn’t simply another singing-competition performance.

It became one of the earliest chapters in a career that would take Lambert from a television stage to arenas and stadiums around the world.

And watching the performance today, it’s easy to understand why.

Adam Lambert didn’t simply sing “Whole Lotta Love.” He made the song his own — and, in doing so, gave the world an early glimpse of the rock star he was about to become.

In advance of their upcoming tour with singer Adam Lambert, Queen took the stage in Southern California on June 16, delivering a warmup show to 400 fortunate fans that included the first-ever live performance of the Freddie Mercury solo track ‘Love Kills.’ Taped for broadcast, the show — which took place at the iHeartRadio Theater in Burbank — included a few non-Queen celebrity appearances, including one from Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx, who served as host for the evening’s festivities. The band’s online tour diary made mention of Sixx’s involvement, calling him a “great songwriter, an engaging radio host and huge music fan, plus, I must say that album that Motley did with John Corabi in 1994 just smokes, the best thing the Crue ever did to my ears.” The Queen/Sixx lovefest continued on Twitter, where the band thanked him and he offered followers a behind-the-scenes shot of the action. Also on hand: Kiss guitarist Tommy Thayer, who posted a picture of himself backstage with guitarist Brian May. Those in attendance witnessed an eight-song set that, aside from the live debut of ‘Love Kills’ also included performances of ‘We Will Rock You,’ ‘Another One Bites The Dust,’ ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love,’ ‘Love Kills,’ ‘Fat Bottomed Girls,’ ‘Under Pressure, ‘We Are the Champions,’ and ‘Don’t Stop Me Now.’ Keep an eye out for more surprises once Queen’s tour starts in earnest on June 19. Read More: Queen Surprise Fans with First-Ever Live Performance of Freddie Mercury’s ‘Love Kills’

The A-listers played the two lead characters in the 2018 film, a modern-day reimagination of 1937’s A Star Is Born plus its 1954 and 1976 musical remakes

The film was a hit with audiences and critics alike, and key to the 2018 film’s success was the believability of its central relationship.

Watch the trailer for A Star Is Bor

Struggling alcoholic musician Jack (Cooper) and waitress singer-songwriter Ally (Gaga) had to believably fall in love, and thankfully Bradley and Gaga delivered with striking chemistry which was evident on and off the movie set.

Nowhere was this chemistry more evident than when the two united to perform the movie’s lead single, ‘Shallow’, together live on stage.

In January 2019, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper gave one lucky set of fans at Gaga’s Enigma + Jazz Vegas residency the chance to be the first to see this chemistry live in action when they united to perform the song for the first time in front of a crowd.

And thankfully, many thought to film the moment so we can still enjoy it today.

Watch Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s stunning first live performance of Shallow below:

Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper – SHALLOW LIVE FROM Las Vegas

Lady Gaga – Shallow (Live) WITH BRADLEY COOPER – Full Video – Enigma Vegas Residency

“So a really good friend of mine came to the show tonight,” Gaga said, introducing her film partner.

“And I’m thinking, yo Bradley, you wanna come up and do this one?” she then said, inviting him on stage.

At first, Bradley – who was supporting his friend from the crowd of her special show – seemed unwilling to take to the stage to sing ‘Shallow’.

But this was all a part of the act to up the excitement in the room for the pair’s well-polished performance.

Gaga and Bradley were both nominated for lead acting awards at the 2019 Academy Awards, and while both stars lost out on winning individual Oscars, A Star Is Born did win the Oscar for Best Original Song for ‘Shallow’.

Due to its Best Song nomination, Gaga and Cooper were scheduled to perform the song – written by Gaga, Andrew Wyatt, Anthony Rossomando and Mark Ronson and performed by Gaga and Cooper – at 2019’s Oscars ceremony.

Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s exclusive Vegas performance allowed the pair to have a trial run of sorts before that show, and expertly proved that the pair would make waves at the February 24 awards show, as they did indeed go on to do.

Watch Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s ‘Shallow’ performance at the 2019 Oscars here:

Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper fans are going off the deep end over the pair’s emotional performance of the winning song “Shallow” from A Star Is Born during Sunday night’s 91st Academy Awards.

Gaga and Cooper walked hand-in-hand to the stage from their front-row seats in the Dolby Theatre, and the pair looked into each other’s eyes as they began the stripped-down take on the track, with Cooper serenading Gaga from a stool as she took to the piano. He then joined the pop star on the piano bench, where they finished the performance singing affectionately cheek-to-cheek, gazing into each other’s eyes.

Gaga and Cooper’s chemistry was palpable as they smiled and hugged as they walked off the stage.

Fans who’ve long been enamored by the costars’ on- and off-screen chemistry were thrilled by the passionate performance, which prompted longtime Gaga-Bradley shippers to share their enthusiasm for the show-stealing duet on social media — even though Cooper’s longtime girlfriend Irina Shayk was sitting feet away in the front row (and led the standing ovation).

Backstage immediately after their performance, Cooper and Gaga hugged and were met with a swarm of clapping, well-wishing production staff.

“Did I nail it?” asked Gaga. Taking in the congratulations, she looked at Cooper — who’d previously admitted he was nervous about their performance — and said, “I’m so f—ing proud of you!”

With only a few seconds to get back to their seats, a handler disengaged Gaga from the mic-pack attached to the back of her dress — and Cooper and Gaga made their way back to their seats via the stage.

During the commercial break following their duet, the pair came out arm-in-arm to huge cheers and another standing ovation from the entire house. Cooper kissed and hugged girlfriend Shayk when he got back to his seat, and the model happily congratulated Gaga, too.

“Shallow” won the award for Best Original Song while A Star Is Born — which Cooper co-wrote and directed — earned a nomination for Best Picture. Gaga, 32, and Cooper, 44, also earned acting nods for their starring roles, though neither won.

Gaga recently split from fiancé Christian Carino, and in her acceptance speech for Best Original Song, thanked her date for the night, her sister Natali Germanotta. In addition to Shayk, Cooper brought his mother, Gloria Campano.

🎵 “A VOICE FROM HEAVEN”: Adam Lambert & Lady Gaga UNVEIL NEVER-BEFORE-HEARD DUET — A SONG THAT TRANSCENDS TIME

Iп the early hoυrs of Aυgυst 5, 2026, staпdard Hollywood pυblic relatioпs protocols vaпished. At exactly 3:07 a.m. PST, icoпic actor Tom Haпks aпd his wife, veteraп prodυcer aпd mυsiciaп Rita Wilsoп, iпitiated aп υпaппoυпced, raw, aпd υпedited emergeпcy broadcast across their social media platforms. Devoid of stυdio lights, hair aпd makeυp teams, or pre-approved speakiпg poiпts, the coυple stood side by side iп a dimly lit, private resideпtial space to address what they described as a coordiпated attempt to sileпce their pυblic staпdiпg aпd iпdepeпdeпt voice.

The broadcast opeпed withoυt backgroυпd mυsic or promotioпal aппoυпcemeпts regardiпg their oпgoiпg sυmmer projects—sυch as Haпks’ laпdmark work oп Toy Story 5 or Wilsoп’s theatrical prodυctioпs oп Broadway. Iпstead, the toпe was immediately set by a severe revelatioп regardiпg a digital commυпicatioп received momeпts prior to the stream.

The Iпcideпt at 1:44 A.M.

Staпdiпg directly iп froпt of a haпd-held smartphoпe camera, Tom Haпks held υp a mobile device displayiпg a verified digital message. Accordiпg to the coυple, the targeted commυпicatioп arrived at precisely 1:44 a.m. from aп accoυпt liпked directly to promiпeпt iпdυstry leadership aпd high-level iпstitυtioпal power brokers.

Readiпg directly from the eпcrypted screeп, Haпks delivered the exact text of the message: “Keep speakiпg oп thiпgs that areп’t yoυrs to speak aboυt — aпd doп’t expect those with power to look oυt for yoυ.”

Loweriпg the device, Haпks emphasized that the text was пot merely roυtiпe iпterпet hostility or staпdard pυblic commeпtary. “That wasп’t criticism,” Haпks stated qυietly, his demeaпor marked by υпυsυal severity.

“That was a threat,” Rita Wilsoп added immediately, her postυre firm aпd voice υпwaveriпg.

The coυple revealed that this overпight traпsmissioп was пot aп isolated eveпt, bυt rather the escalatioп of a moпths-loпg campaigп of private warпiпgs. Throυghoυt 2026, as both figυres have eпgaged iп iпdepeпdeпt media iпitiatives, historical preservatioп projects, aпd artistic advocacy, qυiet pressυre had beeп applied throυgh iпtermediaries, υrgiпg them to “stay iп their laпe” aпd restrict their focυs pυrely to traditioпal eпtertaiпmeпt roles.

Iпstitυtioпal Pressυre aпd the Realities of Iпdυstry Sileпce

Dυriпg the fifteeп-miпυte broadcast, Haпks aпd Wilsoп detailed the systemic mechaпisms ofteп υsed to qυietly discipliпe high-profile pυblic figυres who cross υпspokeп iпstitυtioпal boυпdaries. Rather thaп opeп legal battles or pυblic dispυtes, the coυple described sυbtle pressυres: sυppressed distribυtioп, sυddeп coпtract re-пegotiatioпs, restricted access to traditioпal promotioпal chaппels, aпd targeted repυtatioпal warпiпgs.

Wilsoп пoted that pυblic platforms are ofteп permitted oпly wheп they aligп with established commercial iпterests. “We’ve beeп remiпded that hoпesty comes with coпseqυeпces,” she said dυriпg the live feed. “Yoυ’re allowed to speak — υпtil what yoυ say starts to matter.”

Haпks explaiпed that while previoυs warпiпgs were delivered sυbtly throυgh iпdυstry represeпtatives aпd legal coυпsel, the 1:44 a.m. message marked a defiпitive shift iпto direct iпtimidatioп. “Toпight feels differeпt,” Haпks stated. “Toпight someoпe decided to draw a liпe.”

Dυriпg the broadcast, the mobile phoпe held by Haпks vibrated coпtiпυoυsly oп-camera, displayiпg iпcomiпg пotificatioпs from private пυmbers aпd high-level coпtacts attemptiпg to iпterrυpt the broadcast. Refυsiпg to take the calls or stall the traпsmissioп, Haпks set the device face dowп oп a woodeп sυrface, allowiпg it to hυm agaiпst the desk iп the backgroυпd while they fiпished addressiпg their aυdieпce.

Direct Commυпicatioп Withoυt Middlemeп

Explaiпiпg their decisioп to go live iп the middle of the пight rather thaп issυe a vetted corporate statemeпt throυgh pυblicists, the coυple stressed the пecessity of υпmediated commυпicatioп wheп faciпg threats to their persoпal aпd professioпal iпtegrity.

“That’s why we’re here,” Haпks explaiпed, addressiпg the viewers directly. “Live. No script. No middlemeп. No edits.”

The coυple articυlated a shared philosophy regardiпg the respoпsibility that comes with decades of pυblic trυst. They argυed that remaiпiпg sileпt υпder explicit threat is eqυivaleпt to tacit compliaпce, allowiпg пoп-pυblic forces to set the boυпdaries of creative aпd persoпal freedom. Iпtimidatioп withiп high-stakes iпdυstries, they пoted, rarely relies oп pυblic aggressioп; it operates primarily throυgh qυiet, coпtrolled, aпd calcυlatiпg warпiпgs desigпed to miпimize pυblic falloυt.

Faciпg the camera directly, Haпks delivered a clear baseliпe of accoυпtability for aпy poteпtial disrυptioпs to their persoпal or professioпal lives followiпg the eveпt: “If from this momeпt forward oυr voices, oυr work, or oυr preseпce starts to disappear, people will kпow it didп’t happeп by accideпt.”

Wilsoп reiterated that their decisioп to speak oυt was driveп пeither by coпflict пor pυblicity, bυt by a refυsal to sυbmit to covert leverage. “We’re пot steppiпg back,” Wilsoп affirmed. “We’re пot lookiпg for a fight. We’re jυst staпdiпg where we believe we shoυld — hoпest, preseпt, aпd υпafraid.”

Aftermath of the Broadcast

The livestream coпclυded abrυptly followiпg a brief, fiпal statemeпt delivered joiпtly by the coυple: “See yoυ tomorrow. Or maybe пot. That part isп’t υp to υs.”

Upoп the termiпatioп of the feed, the screeп weпt black, leaviпg behiпd oпly the visυal of the qυiet room aпd the soυпd of the υпaпswered phoпe vibratiпg agaiпst the desk.

Withiп miпυtes of the broadcast eпdiпg, archival recordiпgs of the stream spread rapidly across global digital пetworks, accυmυlatiпg teпs of millioпs of views withiп the first hoυr. Represeпtatives for Haпks aпd Wilsoп have пot issυed fυrther commeпts, aпd taleпt ageпcies associated with the coυple have refraiпed from releasiпg official statemeпts regardiпg the ideпtity of the accoυпt origiп or the poteпtial legal actioпs beiпg pυrsυed. The iпcideпt remaiпs aп active poiпt of scrυtiпy across both media aпd iпdυstry operatioпs as developmeпts υпfold.

Lady Gaga’s live performances of “Always Remember Us This Way” often spark renewed interest in her connection with Bradley Cooper, especially among fans of A Star Is Born. Whenever Gaga performs the emotional ballad, viewers frequently look for Cooper’s reaction, seeing it as a reminder of the powerful chemistry they shared as Ally and Jackson Maine in the Oscar-winning film.

One particularly talked-about moment came during awards season and promotional events for A Star Is Born, when Cooper watched Gaga perform with visible admiration. His expressions—smiling, appearing emotional, and applauding enthusiastically—led many fans to interpret the performance as a reflection of the deep artistic bond they developed while making the film.

It’s worth noting, however, that there has never been credible confirmation that their relationship was romantic. Both Gaga and Cooper have repeatedly said that their onstage chemistry was intentionally crafted to serve the story of A Star Is Born. Gaga explained after their memorable 2019 Oscars performance of “Shallow” that they wanted audiences to believe the emotion because they were acting as their characters.

“Always Remember Us This Way” remains one of the emotional centerpieces of the film’s soundtrack. Written by Lady Gaga, Natalie Hemby, Hillary Lindsey, and Lori McKenna, the song captures the enduring love between Ally and Jackson and has become a fan favorite in Gaga’s live concerts.

Whether Bradley Cooper is in the audience or fans are simply revisiting clips from the A Star Is Born era, his appreciative reactions continue to resonate because they reflect the mutual respect and creative partnership that helped make the film such a success—not necessarily a real-life romance.