At the 41st Annual Kennedy Center Honors in 2019, Adam Lambert, the American Idol alum and current Queen frontman, delivered an unforgettable performance that left the legendary Cher in tears. The event, held on December 26, 2018, at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C., honors individuals for their lifetime artistic achievements, and Cher was among the distinguished honorees.

Lambert’s rendition of Cher’s iconic 1998 hit “Believe” was reimagined as a heartfelt ballad, offering a stark contrast to the upbeat, electric original. As he sang, the camera captured Cher wiping away tears, deeply moved by the tribute. Three weeks later, Cher took to Twitter to express how emotional the performance still left her, calling it “BEYOND COMPREHENSION.”

Lambert, who had been a fan of Cher’s music since his high school days, admitted in a recent interview with Attitude magazine that he was incredibly nervous before the performance. His heart was in his throat, but he described it as an incredible honor to sing one of Cher’s most iconic songs. Lambert’s performance at the Kennedy Center Honors was a highlight of the evening, which also featured rock legend Cyndi Lauper surprising Cher with a rendition of “If I Could Turn Back Time.” The night ended with a duet between Lauper and Lambert of “I Got You Babe.”

Lambert’s performance wasn’t his first tribute to a musical icon. In 2016, he wowed audiences by honoring George Michael on the TV show Greatest Hits, delivering a stunning rendition of Michael’s 1987 hit “Faith.” Lambert’s tribute to Cher further solidified his place as one of the best vocalists of his generation.

The Kennedy Center Honors is one of the highest accolades an American performer can receive. The 2018 ceremony also honored other legends like Reba McEntire, Wayne Shorter, Philip Glass, and Lin-Manuel Miranda for their lifetime contributions to the arts.