Adam Lambert Brought Cher To Tears With Spectacular 'Believe' At Kennedy Center Honors

Adam Lambert sings in tribute to Cher at 2018 Kennedy Center Honors

Last night, CBS aired this year’s Kennedy Center Honors which recognizes those in the performing arts for a lifetime of achievement.

This year’s honorees included Cher, Reba McEntire, composer Philip Glass and jazz legend Wayne Short.

And, for the first time, the Kennedy Center honored a groundbreaking work of art: Hamilton. The blockbuster Broadway musicals creators - Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, Andy Blankenbuehler and Alex Lacamoire - received special honors for their work.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2018 Kennedy Center Honorees!

Tune in Dec. 26 at 8 p.m. ET as we celebrate these incredible luminaries during the #KCHonors broadcast on CBS: https://t.co/omAfV68lkU

John Paul Filo for @CBSTweet pic.twitter.com/4XNMO6ZQLQ

— The Kennedy Center (@kencen) December 2, 2018

Many spectacular performances were thrown down during the telecast, but it was the tribute to Oscar & Grammy winner, Cher, that left the audience wiped out.

Whoopi Goldberg, in a sequin dress perfect for the moment, took to the stage to offer spoken tribute to the goddess.

Little Big Town rocked a medley of “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves,” “I Found Someone” and “Baby Don’t Go;” the indomitable Cyndi Lauper laid down her take on “(If I Could) Turn Back Time” as well as dueting with Adam Lambert for a show-closing “I Got You Babe.”

Cyndi Lauper (screen capture)

But Adam Lambert’s intimate-to-soaring performance of Cher’s iconic “Believe” was 'the' moment of the night.

Set in an orchestral soundscape, Lambert turned the 1998 dance hit into an stunning, emotional pop anthem with diva-worthy vocals building to the American Idol alum’s signature high notes.

Cher took to Twitter after the telecast to express her feelings about the tribute.

“Tried 2 write Feelings About Adam Lambert Singing Believe In Words, but Cant seem 2,” Cher shared on Twitter. “When Your senses are Overwhelmed All Can you feel with your [heart].”

“I Was Shocked AND Over The MOON When Cindi (Lauper) came out Rocking the house,” the diva continued. “Shocked Because SHE TOLD ME SHE WAS IN LA, & Over The Moon Because My Friend CINDI Is One Of Our ‘Great’ Singers. When Adam & Cindi Sang Together It=Heaven. ‘Little Big Town’ Were Adorable, & Harmonies. Amanda Was Genuine & Dear & When Whoopi Came Out In ”Cher Outfit” She brought Down House.”

Tried 2 write Feelings About Adam Lambert Singing
Believe In Words,but Cant seem 2.When Your senses are Overwhelmed All Can you feel with your .
I Was Shocked AND Over The MOON When Cindi (Lauper) came out Rocking the house.
Shocked Because SHE TOLD ME SHE WAS IN LA,

— Cher (@cher) December 27, 2018

& Over The Moon Because
My FriendCINDI Is One Of Our”Great”Singers
When Adam & Cindi Sang Together It=Heaven .
”Little Big Town”Were Adorable,& Harmonies.
Amanda Was Genuine,& Dear,& When Whoopi Came Out In”Cher Outfit”She brought Down House.

— Cher (@cher) December 27, 2018

Lambert tweeted back, "It was a total honor!!!! You’re a goddess!"

It was a total honor @Cher!!!! You’re a goddess! https://t.co/Pvp2U1m6y3

— ADAM LAMBERT (@adamlambert) December 27, 2018