Cher Overwhelmed by Emotion During Adam Lambert’s “Believe” Performance

Adam Lambert, renowned for his stint on American Idol and as the lead vocalist for Queen, delivered a moving rendition of Cher’s 1998 anthem “Believe” during the 41st Annual Kennedy Center Honors in 2019, evoking tears from the pop icon herself. The event, which took place on December 26, 2018, at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C., celebrates lifetime contributions to the arts. Lambert’s performance was a homage to Cher, one of the evening’s celebrated individuals.

His interpretation of “Believe” transformed the dance hit into a poignant ballad, capturing the audience’s and Cher’s heart, who was seen emotionally wiping tears during his performance. Cher later expressed her awe on Twitter, stating the rendition was “BEYOND COMPREHENSION.”

The event was full of surprises, including Cyndi Lauper, who despite previously claiming to be unavailable, appeared to perform “If I Could Turn Back Time” for Cher. The evening concluded with a duet between Lauper and Lambert, performing “I Got You Babe.”

In an Attitude magazine interview, Lambert shared his nervousness prior to his “Believe” performance, emphasizing the honor of covering a track by such a legendary artist. Lambert, who has been a Cher admirer since high school, holds her “Believe” album in high regard.

Lambert’s tribute to Cher wasn’t his first; he previously honored George Michael in 2016 with a rendition of “Faith” on the “Greatest Hits” TV show, further cementing his reputation as a leading vocalist of his generation.

The Kennedy Center Honors, a prestigious accolade for American artists, recognizes lifetime artistic contributions. The 2018 ceremony also honored Reba McEntire, Wayne Shorter, Philip Glass, and Lin-Manuel Miranda along with the Hamilton creative team, showcasing a diverse range of artistic brilliance.