It's hard to out-diva the biggest diva of them all. But Adam Lambert did his best on Wednesday night (Dec. 26) during the broadcast of the 41st annual Kennedy Center Honors on CBS, when he honored Cher, 72, with a stunning ballad version of her biggest hit, "Believe."
The Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 1998 dance pop smash with its signature AutoTuned vocals was transformed into an emotional, tear-jerking show-stopper by Lambert, 36, who as backed by a full orchestra for the performance. The song swept to a close with one of Lambert's signature sustained high notes, which seemed to impress the typically unflappable Cher (who appeared to mouth the word "wow"), earning the Queen singer a standing ovation from the packed house.
Watch the performance below.
A special @cher tribute from @adamlambert has the whole crowd swaying. #KCHonors pic.twitter.com/huwF7lNbNB
— CBS (@CBS) December 27, 2018
The night also featured Cyndi Lauper honoring Cher with a spirited "If I Could Turn Back Time."
Watch @cyndilauper turn back time with her incredible @cher performance tonight at 8/7c on @CBS and @CBSAllAccess: https://t.co/izyMSOYZYT #KCHonors pic.twitter.com/0GjQaaWnvZ
— CBS (@CBS) December 26, 2018
The Kennedy Center Honors — which was taped earlier in the month — also featured tributes to country superstar Reba McEntire, composer/pianist Philip Glass, jazz composer, saxophone player Wayne Shorter and Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton musical.
