Adam Lambert’s Memorable Rendition of “Believe” Brings Cher to Tears

Adam Lambert, a former American Idol contestant and the current lead singer of Queen, delivered a performance of Cher’s legendary 1998 song “Believe” at the 41st Annual Kennedy Center Honors in 2019, moving the iconic pop star to tears. The yearly awards event, held on December 26, 2018, was aired from the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C., USA. The ceremony recognizes individuals for their lifetime contributions to the arts. Lambert performed as a tribute to Cher, who was one of the recipients.

Lambert’s rendition of “Believe” was deeply emotional and ballad-style, markedly different from the original’s lively and energetic tone. As Lambert sang, the camera captured Cher visibly moved, wiping away tears. Three weeks afterward, Cher remained touched by the performance, tweeting that it was “BEYOND COMPREHENSION.”

Cher was not the sole performer to receive a surprise at the Kennedy Center Honors. Rock icon Cyndi Lauper, who had earlier informed Cher that she was unavailable, astonished her by performing “If I Could Turn Back Time.” Lauper and Lambert concluded the event with a duet of “I Got You Babe.”

During a recent interview with Attitude magazine, Lambert shared his thoughts on his memorable performance of “Believe.” He mentioned feeling extremely nervous beforehand, with his heart racing. Nonetheless, he expressed it was a privilege to perform a song by one of the greatest singers ever. Lambert had admired Cher’s music since graduating high school, and her 1998 album, “Believe,” ranked among his favorites.

Lambert’s appearance at the Kennedy Center Honors was not his initial instance of impressing audiences with a tribute to a music legend. In 2016, Lambert showcased his exceptional vocals in honor of George Michael on a TV show called “Greatest Hits.” He delivered another outstanding performance with the 1987 classic “Faith.” Both renditions garnered significant praise from fans, earning Lambert recognition as one of his generation’s top vocalists.

The Kennedy Center Honors stands as one of the highest accolades an American performer can attain. The awards event, celebrating its 44th year, recognizes individuals for their lifetime contributions to the arts. Other recipients at the 2018 ceremony included country music star Reba McEntire, jazz composer Wayne Shorter, Philip Glass, and Lin-Manuel Miranda along with the team from Hamilton.