Tuesday is new Billboard chart day each week! As all charts update each Tuesday, here’s a look at highlights of the latest rankings, dated Oct. 3 and reflecting the Sept. 18-24 measurement week, according to data tracker Luminate.

Among this week’s chart stars are Miley, Madonna, ADÉLA, Ella Langley and Latin music legend Ricardo Montaner.

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As previously reported, Miley returns to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 as Bass Persuades thumps in with 61,000 equivalent album units earned in the United States in its debut week. Counting her billings as Miley, Miley Cyrus and Disney’s Hannah Montana, she scores her sixth leader and 16th top 10 album. (Ashley O remains a singles artist.)

Miley last led the Billboard 200 with Bangerz in 2013, following her first four No. 1s in 2006-09. The entertainer is one of three acts to have topped the chart this year and reigned in three or more distinct decades. She joins Madonna (1980s, 2000s, 10s and ‘20s) and Taylor Swift (2000s, ‘10s and ‘20s) for the honor.

Madonna, meanwhile, adds a milestone No. 1 on the Dance Airplay chart from her latest Billboard 200 No. 1, Confessions II.

Read on for details of the feat and check out more key highlights from this week’s Billboard charts below.

For a deeper dive into all of the above and more, go to Billboard’s Chart Beat hub, sign up for the weekly Chart Beat newsletter, among other e-blasts, and browse the full menu of Billboard’s charts, which refresh every Tuesday (and each Wednesday during holiday weeks).

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Still don’t know what you’re dressing as for Halloween? Thankfully, 2026 has done most of the brainstorming for you. Between viral music moments, buzzy TV shows and movie characters that have taken on lives of their own online, there’s plenty of inspiration for a costume people will actually recognize. Better yet, some of the funniest options require surprisingly little effort.

Take Pitbull. Add a bald cap, aviator sunglasses and a suit, and suddenly you’re Mr. Worldwide. Charli xcx is similarly achievable: a white tank, dark sunglasses and intentionally messy hair can turn your closet into a Brat-inspired costume in minutes.

For those willing to get a little weirder, there’s always the Bad Bunny shrub. The greenery from the Puerto Rican superstar’s Super Bowl performance became memorable enough to inspire a Halloween look of its own, and it also happens to make a pretty great group costume.

This year’s TV and movie obsessions offer plenty of options, too. Heated Rivalry fans can suit up as hockey star Shane Hollander, while horror fans can pull inspiration from Nikki, Inde Navarrette’s character in Obsession. Both are especially good choices for anyone who wants something more specific than your standard celebrity costume. Of course, Halloween is less about getting every detail exactly right and more about picking the details everyone remembers. Sometimes that means recreating an entire outfit. Other times, apparently, all you need is a bald cap.

Best Celebrity Halloween Costume Ideas

From musicians and viral moments to the characters everyone couldn’t stop talking about, shop Billboard’s picks for some of the best pop culture-inspired Halloween costumes to recreate in 2026.

Allegra K Contrast Peter Pan Collar A-line Dress inspired by Olivia Rodrigo costume

BEST ALBUM COVER COSTUME

Olivia Rodrigo

Allegra K Contrast Peter Pan Collar A-line Dress

Rodrigo’s third album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, gives fans a fresh 2026 costume idea. Recreate the cover look and carry a mock vinyl sleeve to make the reference instantly recognizable.


Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Performance Shrub inspired Halloween Costume

BEST ONE-AND-DONE COSTUME

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Performance Shrub

Adult Super Bowl Grass Costume

Who knew shrubbery would become one of the year’s most recognizable music moments? Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl greenery is now a Halloween costume of its own, and you don’t even have to DIY it: The leafy look is available for preorder now, making it an especially funny pick for a group willing to fully commit to the bit.


Etsy Stevie Knicks Taylor Basketball Shirt inspired halloween costume 2026

EASY TO RECREATE

Taylor Swift at the Knicks Game

Etsy Stevie Knicks Taylor Basketball Shirt

$18.70 $22 15% off

Buy Now on etsy

If your ideal Halloween costume requires more internet knowledge than actual effort, you’ve found it. Recreate Swift and her crew’s matching Stevie Nicks tees and let the reference do the rest.


Morticia 6 PCS Bald Cap Halloween Costume Set  inspired by Pitbull, halloween costume idea 2026

BEST LAST MINUTE COSTUME

Pitbull Bald Cap & Accessories

Morticia 6 PCS Bald Cap Halloween Costume Set 

Pitbull fans have been turning up to his concerts in bald caps, making the Mr. Worldwide look a viral costume before Halloween even started. This kit has the bald cap, aviators, tie and facial hair covered.


Freaky Nikki from 'Obsession' inspired halloween costume 2026; Generic Red Zebra Mesh Halter Top

MOST VIRAL COSTUME

Freaky Nikki from ‘Obsession’

Generic Red Zebra Mesh Halter Top

There’s no backward walking required to dress like Nikki from Obsession. Her red-and-black zebra halter, black bottoms and gold jewelry do most of the work, though a Wishing Willow and a little fake blood certainly won’t hurt.


Dolly Parton inspired halloween costume 2026 Country Singer Women's Costume

BEST CELEBRITY COSTUME

Dolly Parton

Country Singer Women’s Costume

When it comes to dressing like Dolly Parton, more is more. Think sky-high blonde hair, rhinestones, dramatic lashes and enough fringe to make sure nobody has to ask who you are.


Sabrina Carpenter Short n' Sweet Album Era inspired Halloween Costume 2026; OYOANGLE Mesh Lace Sheer Babydoll Lingerie Set

CUTE & SIMPLE

Sabrina Carpenter ‘Short n’ Sweet’ Album Era

OYOANGLE Mesh Lace Sheer Babydoll Lingerie Set 

Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet costumes are surprisingly easy to riff on at home. Start with this ruffled pink babydoll, add rhinestone stockings and platforms, then go big on the blonde curls.


Charlie xcx Liksmu Rimless Y2K Sunglasses halloween-inspired costume 2026

SEXY & CHIC

Charlie xcx

Liksmu Rimless Y2K Sunglasses

The Brat uniform doesn’t require much: tiny top, messy hair and wraparound sunglasses that look ready for a 3 a.m. club exit. These Y2K shades nail the latter for an easy Charli xcx costume.


Huntr/x in ‘Kpop Demon Hunters’
Adult Rumi Costume for Halloween 2026

BEST GROUP HALLOWEEN COSTUME

Huntr/x in ‘Kpop Demon Hunters’

Adult Rumi Costume

Being a pop star apparently isn’t enough when there are demons to hunt. Recreate Rumi, Mira and Zoey’s HUNTR/X looks with officially licensed costumes or DIY your own take on the trio’s colorful stagewear.


Ilya and Shane in 'Heated Rivalry' Shane Hollander Hockey Jersey Halloween costume idea 2026

BEST COUPLES COSTUME

Ilya and Shane in ‘Heated Rivalry’

Shane Hollander Hockey Jersey

Your couples costume just got competitive. Channel Ilya and Shane with rival hockey jerseys, or dig into Heated Rivalry for an off-ice look only the most devoted fans will clock.


BTS might not have been in the room when the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards handed out their Moon Person trophies on Sunday night, but j-hope made sure ARMY knew he was celebrating the wins.

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Following BTS’ three wins at Sunday’s VMAs, j-hope took to Weverse to thank fans for helping the group bring home some awards during its long-awaited comeback year.

“ARMY!! I heard the news that we won a big award. It’s all thanks to you guys, I love you,” the rapper wrote in his translated message, followed by a purple heart emoji. He went on to remember how significant 2026 was for himself and the group, calling it a “meaningful year” because BTS reunited and spent time with ARMY again.

The group took home song of the year and best K-pop for “SWIM,” as well as best group, giving BTS a clean sweep of all three categories in which they were nominated.

The song of the year victory was pretty historic: “SWIM,” the lead single from BTS’ fifth studio album ARIRANG, made the septet the first K-pop group to win in the category. Additionally, the win for best group was their fifth win in the category, extending their record of previous victories in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

And, as j-hope so humbly mentioned, the awards are just another milestone to add to what has already been a massive year for the group. ARIRANG, released in March as BTS’ first full-length album in six years, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. “SWIM” has also made plenty of noise on the charts on its own, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 upon its release.

j-hope made sure to recognize the wins, in the literal sense and in the figurative sense. “Since it’s a meaningful year where we made a comeback as BTS and spent time with you ARMYs, this year feels even more precious!!” he wrote. “I will wrap it up well until the very end!!”

And there’s still a lot to look forward to with BTS, as they are currently in the midst of their ARIRANG World Tour, with j-hope teasing that he’ll show fans “many great things” during the upcoming South American dates.

He signed off simply: “Luv you,” with a heart-sealed envelope emoji.

A judge says Ticketmaster can be sued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for allegedly enabling mass-scale ticket reselling on its secondary market.

A Monday (Sept. 28) court order, obtained and first reported by Billboard, denies Ticketmaster’s motion to dismiss the bombshell lawsuit brought by the FTC a year ago. The decision does not endorse the truth of the federal agency’s claims, but it holds that they are legally sufficient to move forward into the next phase of litigation.  

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The FTC sued Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation under the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act, which makes it illegal to circumvent a ticket issuer’s security measures. The agency claimed Ticketmaster violated this statute by allowing brokers to bypass its ticket purchasing limits with hundreds or sometimes thousands of accounts under fake names. According to the lawsuit, Ticketmaster enabled this conduct so that brokers would resell large swaths of tickets on its own secondary market, thus generating billions of dollars in resale fees for the platform.

Ticketmaster’s leadership denies these allegations, with Live Nation legal chief Dan Wall testifying before Congress earlier this year that the company has “walked the walk” on anti-broker initiatives to protect artists and fans. But Ticketmaster’s motion to dismiss argued that the FTC lawsuit has an even more fundamental defect: namely, that the BOTS Act is only meant to be wielded against individual resellers, not the ticketing platforms that host them.

Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong, however, roundly rejected this argument in Monday’s order. “The BOTS Act does not preclude platforms from facing liability,” wrote the judge, “and the court will not read it as doing so.”

According to Judge Frimpong, the FTC’s lawsuit lays out sufficient allegations that Ticketmaster allowed ticket brokers to bypass purchase limits. The judge cited an internal email in which a senior executive said they “turn a blind eye as a matter of policy” to this conduct, as well as other communications that allegedly show Ticketmaster was aware of specific brokers who frequently generated fake accounts.

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“Upon identifying violators, Live Nation and Ticketmaster could have implemented measures to curtail continuing violations of ticket purchase limits,” wrote Judge Frimpong. “However, the FTC maintains that Live Nation and Ticketmaster ‘have reduced, discontinued, or declined to implement the use of tools that could effectively enforce ticket limits against brokers,’ thereby enabling circumvention. Thus, the complaint illustrates that Live Nation and Ticketmaster had knowledge of the violations, had the opportunity and means to counter the violations, but elected to allow scalpers and brokers to bypass ticket purchase limits.”

The judge also ruled that the FTC can level deceptive business practice claims against Ticketmaster over drip pricing — i.e., the practice of tacking on additional fees at checkout. Though Ticketmaster says it now employs all-in pricing, Judge Frimpong says the long-term use of a mere “plus fees” qualifier could be considered “vague and ambiguous” enough to sustain the FTC’s claims.

Reached for comment on Monday’s decision, Ticketmaster said in a statement, “Ticketmaster remains the leader in the fight against bots and other technical exploits that scalpers use to steal tickets from real fans. We continue to believe that this lawsuit is misguided and will ultimately fail.”

A rep for the FTC did not immediately return a request for comment. The case will now enter the evidence discovery phase, followed by an eventual trial unless a settlement is reached.

The lawsuit is part of the FTC’s recent emphasis on BOTS Act enforcement under a directive from President Donald Trump. In addition to the Ticketmaster lawsuit, the agency sued broker Key Investment Group last year for allegedly using fake Ticketmaster accounts to flip tickets for Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour. The FTC received a judge’s green light to move forward with that case in April.

Meanwhile, Live Nation and Ticketmaster are wrapped up in a high-stakes antitrust lawsuit that could have huge implications for their future. A jury ruled at trial that the combined companies had worked to suppress competition, and now dozens of state attorneys general are urging a judge to break them up. Live Nation denies all wrongdoing and says divestiture is unnecessary.

The warm soul of R&B and the sleek polish of electronic music might seem like an unlikely pairing at first. But TUIDE, HYBE’s newest girl group, is carving out a path between the two with a sound they call “Soultronic.” Rather than following an established formula, the seven members have blended their distinct personalities into something only TUIDE can offer, giving themselves room to move freely.

For TUIDE, music is more than a matter of executing a concept handed down to them. Coming from different backgrounds and experiences, the members approached one another with openness, learning to recognize each other’s strengths and shaping a group identity from those differences. Over the Shibuya-kei and Soultronic production of GroovyRoom, they show that vocals and performance don’t have to be confined to a single genre. Each member’s voice keeps its own character while fitting naturally alongside the others, and that interplay is a big part of what makes the songs work.

The name TUIDE comes from “Tune the tide,” a bold statement of intent to set and steer the currents of the music scene. It’s also a useful key to understanding where the group is headed musically. On the B-side “ABD,” they playfully skip past the D that’s supposed to follow A, B and C. The lead single “SUN KISS” encourages listeners to trust their instincts and move forward. In both cases, TUIDE isn’t looking for the right answer inside a preset frame. They’re opening up possibilities of their own. The members say their teamwork grew out of being honest and unguarded with one another, and that attitude carries through to the album title, TUNE & PLAY, which reflects their desire to play freely on stage.

Starting from what they do best and enjoy most, TUIDE hopes to bring listeners the ease and positive energy of a close friend. Now that they’ve made their debut riding a fresh wave of Soultronic sound, how far can they go in K-pop? With their sights set on this year’s rookie awards, the seven members are ready to tune the tide. Here is TUIDE’s story.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

BTS’ V is putting his name behind a new pair of headphones designed with serious music listening in mind. V, who opened up in August about receiving treatment for hearing loss in one ear, was made the new global brand ambassador of London-based tech company Nothing for the launch of their Headphone (1) Pro, the company’s highest-quality audio offering to date.

The launch marks the first chapter of Nothing’s Pro Series, bringing studio-grade listening to everyday consumers. “I’m excited to be part of this bold new chapter with Nothing,” says V. “Headphone (1) Pro is a design grounded in creative expression, and I look forward to our journey together.” The headphones will retail for $399 and launch today (Sept. 28) at Nothing.

Shop Nothing Headphone (1) Pro online

STUDIO GRADE

Nothing Headphone (1) Pro

Available in black and white, the headphones also come with sleek molded cases and convenient carrying handles.


Headphone (1) Pro is designed for richer, more detailed listening, with three drivers working together to deliver deeper bass, clearer vocals and more defined instruments. Despite being made from titanium and aluminum, the headphones boast a light design, complete with plush ear cushions and a wider padded headband for lasting comfort. Its battery also lasts up to 68 hours on a single charge.

Nothing claims the headphones have the best real-time adaptive active noise cancellation, using 10 microphones to filter external sounds like wind and traffic, while redesigned cushions create a stronger seal around your ears. Tuned with Metropolis Studios, the headphones also offer studio-inspired sounds, spatial audio and five customizable sound profiles.

Shop Nothing Headphone (1) Pro online

Founded in 2020, Nothing is a consumer technology company focused on reimagining personal tech through design, culture and creativity. The company makes smartphones and audio products and says its mission is to make technology fun again while inspiring human creativity.

Shop Nothing Headphone (1) Pro online

Nothing

“V has an instinct for fearless experimentation. He’s always pushing into different sounds and styles — he follows his creative instincts, not tried-and-tested formulas, and that’s exactly what we wanted to capture with Headphone (1) Pro,” says Nothing co-founder and CEO, Carl Pei. “We’ve built it to give people more freedom and flexibility in everyday listening. V was the perfect choice as we define technical excellence for the next generation of creatives.”

The partnership with V follows Charli xcx becoming Nothing’s first global brand ambassador and shareholder in spring 2026. Nothing also launched Club Nothing, a music fund supporting emerging nightlife curators. The company has stores in London and Bengaluru, with planned locations in San Francisco, New York and Tokyo.

Bruno Mars is feeling a little jealous after seeing Drake dancing with Karol G at her Houston show on Sunday night (Sept. 27), where the 6 God made a surprise guest appearance in his second home.

The Grammy-winning superstar posted a photo to Instagram on Monday (Sept. 28) staring out the window into the abyss of clouds from his private jet, vowing to win Karol G back.

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“When you see Drake dancing with your latina crush in 4k @karolg @champagnepapi Respond to me asap,” he jokingly wrote. “I have to get her back! I must get her back! I will get her back!”

One fan chimed in, suggesting that the trio work it out in the studio. “I think you should solve this on a new song, the three of you together,” they wrote in Bruno’s comments.

Another said that Bruno was on the receiving end of a taste of his own medicine. “So now you know how it feels when your crush is serenading other Angel Babies right in front of you? Welcome to the club, Bruninho,” they added.

Drake sent the Reliant Stadium crowd into a frenzy when he popped out at the show to perform his “Ahí” collaboration with the Colombian singer, which reached No. 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot Latin Songs chart in August.

Drizzy stuck around to perform his chart-topping hit “Janice STFU” and 2016’s “One Dance,” the latter of which saw Karol G dancing with the OVO rapper and led to a viral clip on social media.

Bruno Mars also appeared on Karol G’s No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto album, as the duo tangled for the synth-pop “Still,” which landed at No. 41 on the Hot 100.

Bruno popped up for a guest appearance at Karol G’s Aug. 15 show at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, where they performed the live debut of “Still” as well as his The Romatic opener “Risk It All.”

“It expressed exactly what I was feeling and how I was feeling it; it was literally perfect for what I was going through, and I listened to it constantly. I tried to overthink it, but it was perfect—I hope it touches many people’s hearts,” Karol gushed about collaborating with Bruno on the all-English song. “Thank you, Bruno Mars, for the magic in this song and for feeling it the way I did. You’re incredible.”

Karol G’s No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto arrived on Aug. 7 and debuted inside the Billboard 200’s top 10 (No. 8).

Find Bruno Mars’ post below.

If KATSEYE were a box of chocolates, you wouldn’t know exactly what you were going to get — but you’d probably get a little bit of everything.

Daniela would be dark chocolate with almonds, Lara would be salted caramel, Sophia would be strawberry creme, Megan would be cookies and creme, and Yoonchae? Matcha white chocolate. The members of KATSEYE recently shared their chocolate alter egos while chatting with Billboard about their new partnership with Hershey’s, their “Pinky Up” gesture, the Wildworld Tour and the sweet memories that made the collaboration feel like a full-circle moment.

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The members’ picks were based on personality, with Daniela’s dark chocolate and almond combination described as “sweet, bold and energetic, with a little crunch,” while Lara’s salted caramel is “sweet with a little edge.” Sophia’s strawberry creme is “sweet, warm and bright,” Megan’s cookies and creme is “playful, surprising,” and Yoonchae’s matcha white chocolate is “sweet, fresh and a little unexpected.”

This partnership with Hershey’s has also given KATSEYE a chance to revisit some childhood memories. The members say many of them grew up eating Hershey’s around Halloween, during the holidays or simply as an after-school treat.

“So it’s pretty surreal that something we loved growing up is now part of our work,” they say.

The collaboration has also found its way into the everyday moments the members share together, whether they’re backstage on tour or coming off rehearsal. “Sharing snacks is such a natural part of our time together,” the group says. “Bringing Hershey’s into those moments feels really personal and full circle.”

The partnership also gave one of KATSEYE’s most recognizable gestures a new life. The group’s “Pinky Up” dance, which has become synonymous with KATSEYE among EYEKONS, was reimagined for the Hershey’s Creme Bar campaign.

“It was such a surreal moment because ‘Pinky Up’ has become something our fans immediately associate with KATSEYE,” the members say. “Seeing that gesture live beyond our performances and become part of the Hershey’s Creme Bar campaign felt really special.”

“At its heart, ‘Pinky Up’ is all about confidence, self-expression and choosing joy in your own way, so it fit naturally within the campaign’s message,” they say.

And when it comes to the two new Hershey’s Creme Bar flavors, the members have already picked sides — mostly.

Daniela, Megan and Yoonchae favor Affogato, while Lara and Sophia are Team Salted Caramel. The group describes Salted Caramel as the more “classic and comforting” choice, while Affogato, with espresso caramel and vanilla creme, is better for a more adventuruous mood.

The Hershey’s collaboration also comes as KATSEYE continues its Wildworld Tour, which the group views as an important step in its evolution as a live act. “The tour feels like such a big step for us because we’re getting to show even more of who KATSEYE is as performers,” the group says.

The tour also gives fans an opportunity to see how much the members have grown since they hatched from Dream Academy.

“We’ve grown so much since our debut, and we’re excited for fans to experience that growth with us onstage,” they add.

That growth hasn’t always been linear, as the girls have experienced some unexpected changes these past several months, including the hiatus of fellow members Sophia Laforteza and Manon Bannerman. The group emphasizes how important it is to communicate, check in with one another and give each other grace during difficult times.

“We’ve learned that supporting each other isn’t always about having the right answer — sometimes it’s just being there and reminding each other that we’re not alone,” they say. “We’re still growing as individuals and as a group, and we’re learning to embrace that along the way.”

This philosophy related to individuality has admittedly extended to KATSEYE’s relationships with their fans: the EYEKONS. The group mentions that the campaign’s message of finding happiness in everyday moments reflects what they hope to encourage through their music and community.

“We want people to feel like they can be completely themselves — whether that’s being loud and confident, a little weird, trying something new, or just doing what makes them happy,” KATSEYE says.

“We’re all different, and that’s what makes [our community] so special,” they say. “And it’s something we try to celebrate through our music and this partnership.”

Watch the full Hershey’s Creme Bar x KATSEYE campaign below.

In her VMAs debut on Sunday (Sept. 27), Sienna Spiro hit the stage in a silver dress while standing atop a giant record and turntable to perform a beautiful rendition of her stirring single “Great Expectation.”

And just like her fellow U.K. native RAYE, who performed earlier, she captivated the audience at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and the viewers watching at home, backed by a live band and singers, earning herself a standing ovation.

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The British singer-songwriter was also up for best new artist, and took home the award as she beat out six other artists that included Magnus Ferrell, Malcolm Todd, Myles Smith, Stella Lefty, Bella Kay and CORTIS.

She was in shock as she walked up to accept her Moon Person, and thanked everyone from the fans who voted for her, to her team and family. “I didn’t think this would happen, so I just have to say thank you so much,” she said during her acceptance speech. “Thank you to the fans and the people that voted for me. I love you. I can’t believe this. Thank you, so much to my team. Thank you to the people at Capitol. Thank you to the incredible women around me, Miriam, Thalia, my mother, my sister. Thank you.”

Sienna is have a great September so far. “Great Expectation” has just scored its third consecutive week at No. 1 on the U.K’s Official Singles Chart, making it her third song in the top 40 alongside “Die on This Hill” at No. 11 and “Pure” at No. 28.

The tribute to the late George Michael stole the show at the 2026 MTV VMAs, which graced the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night (Sept. 27).

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Nearly 10 years after his Christmas 2016 passing, the MTV VMAs paid tribute to the late pop icon with a star-studded medley featuring RAYE, sombr, Teddy Swims, Adam Lambert, MNEK and Saint Harison. Fittingly, the tribute, which was introduced by enigmatic country cult favorite Orville Peck, also commemorates 30 years of Michael’s Older album, home to pop classics such as “Jesus to a Child” and “Fastlove.”

Grammy-nominated alt-pop breakout sombr, who made a cameo during Madonna’s “Danceteria” opener at the top of the show, kicked things off with a medley of “Faith” and “Father Figure.” Delivering a bright vocal performance on the former before singing from a darker, sultrier place on the latter, the 21-year-old star brought every bit of his rock edge to Michael’s signature hits as clips from the late icon’s classic music videos played on the screens behind him.

RAYE — who dazzled the packed Peacock Theater with a medley of “I Will Overcome.” and “Where Is My Husband!” — then took the reins with “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me,” Michael’s 1987 Grammy-winning duet with Aretha Franklin. Donning a gorgeous black gown with sheer lace detail, the powerhouse vocalist brought her big band jazz touch to the arrangement, getting the entire crowd hyped ahead of the iconic “Carless Whisper” saxophone riff.

Teddy Swims, whose soaring vocals helped “Lose Control” achieve the longest climb by a solo male artist to No. 1 in Billboard Hot 100 history, handled “Whisper,” earning audience approval from the likes of Shaboozey and Sienna Spiro.

George Michael was one of the most influent gay men in pop music history, so it’s only fitting that Adam Lambert popped out to lead a closing performance of “Freedom ’90” that brought RAYE, sombr and Teddy Swims back to the stage, alongside appearances by Grammy-nominated dance-pop singer-songwriter MNEK, acclaimed Southampton pop/R&B singer-songwriter Saint Harison and British indie pop singer-songwriter MEEK.

Michael won four VMAs throughout his career, including the Video Vanguard honor in 1989. In 2005, he earned a Grammy nomination for best music video for “Flawless (Go to the City).” One-half of Wham!, Michael has also earned eight Hot 100 No. 1 hits, as well as a 12-week Billboard 200 No. 1 album in 1987’s Faith.