Even as the video’s place in music continues to shift with the rise of streaming, the MTV VMAs prove that a strong video and an artist who knows how to capture the cultural conversation are still worth watching, as the 2026 VMAs showed.
Held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and hosted by Snoop Dogg, this year’s ceremony had what you’d come to expect from the VMAs: A-list stars, cameo appearances, and a dose of Filipino representation thanks to the attendance of Bella Poarch, Olivia Rodrigo taking home Best Alternative for The Cure, and Bruno Mars performing live from his world tour and winning Best R&B for I Just Might. Below, see some of the biggest moments from one of pop culture’s biggest nights.
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Madonna Makes Her Triumphant Return to the VMAs
Actuación completa de Madonna con Sabrina Carpenter & Charli XCX + cameos especiales en los #VMAspic.twitter.com/0MTqgMNWEE
— Samantha Ballentines (@SamanthaBallent) September 28, 2026
Madonna has a long history with the VMAs, and the Queen of Pop is responsible for some of the show’s most iconic moments. This year, she returned to the show like the icon that she is. She opened the VMAs with Bring Your Love and a surprise appearance from Sabrina Carpenter. Then, she brought out Charli xcx for a rendition of Danceteria Afterhours that included a boatload of cameo appearances from Julia Garner, Debi Mazar, and more.
Madonna entered the show as the most nominated artist of the night, and she left as the most awarded with a total of seven Moon Persons, including Artist of the Year. If the 2026 MTV VMAs had a main character, Madonna would make for a strong candidate.
Taylor Swift Debuts Her New Music Video (And Makes VMAs History)
Fresh from releasing the deluxe edition of The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift showed up to the MTV VMAs in Tamara Ralph Haute Couture, a sleek bob that slightly reminded us of her 1989 era, and speeches to give. The pop star made history when she received the first-ever MTV VMA Artist Director Honors in recognition of the 18 and counting music videos she’s directed.
Speaking of music videos, Swift then used her speech to segue into the world premiere of Patient Zero’s music video, where she watched it on stage alongside her co-star Dakota Johnson. Wrapping up her night, Swift took home the show’s biggest award of Video of the Year for The Fate of Ophelia, which she dedicated to in honor of Dolly Parton. Taking home a total of 3 Moon Persons, Swift is now the most awarded artist in VMAs history, with a total of 31 trophies.
LISA Brings Bangkok to the VMAs
one thing about lisa is that she’ll always proudly show the world how much she loves thailand and how proud she is to be thai, carrying her roots with her wherever she goes 🇹🇭🤍
— kenji 𓅓 (@yk2aii) September 28, 2026
SAWADIKA LISA ON VMAS#LISAisBACK_VMAs pic.twitter.com/BieAivdwJA
It’s safe to say LISA had a great time at the VMAs. She was visibly emotional as she took home the first televised award of the program, for Best Pop for Dream. Afterward, she held the first live TV performance of SaWaDiKa as she proudly brought her Thai roots to the VMAs stage. One thing about LISA, she’ll always give her 100% in each performance.
Sienna Spiro Takes Home Best New Artist
2026 has been a breakthrough year for Sienna Spiro, and the VMAs further proved it as the British musician charmed the audience with her performance of Great Expectation while dressed in vintage Paco Rabann. She then took it a step further by taking home one of the event’s most coveted prizes: Best New Artist. At this point, Grammy gold might just be in Spiro’s future.
Kacey Musgraves’ Tribute to the Late-Great Dolly Parton
tribute for the late dolly parton at the #VMAs pic.twitter.com/Dkg9QrlIjF
— lex (@petaltrin) September 28, 2026
With a shining gown and purple eyeshadow that Dolly Parton would approve of, Kacey Musgraves honored the country legend with a beautiful performance of I Will Always Love You that touched the hearts of both the audience in the room and viewers watching at home.
GENER8CION Delivers a Show-Stopping Performance
French DJ and producer Surkin, who goes by the music project alias GENER8ION, went viral earlier this year when he dropped the music video for the single Storm featuring Swedish rapper Yung Lean. From its direction to choreography, the video was met with acclaim as an incredible and complex work of art. During the VMAs stage, the song was performed live for the first time as Yung Lean was surrounded by dancers who impeccably executed the video’s choreography. It made for arguably the best performance of the show.
Featured Image: MTV (via Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions
Taylor Swift won Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia,” which she dedicated to Dolly Parton. She also received the first-ever MTV VMA Artist Director Honors and premiered the “Patient Zero” music video during the ceremony.
Madonna opened the show with “Bring Your Love” alongside Sabrina Carpenter, then performed “Danceteria Afterhours” with Charli xcx. She won Artist of the Year and seven awards in total.
LISA won Best Pop for “Dream” (featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi), the first televised award of the night. She then gave the first live TV performance of “SaWaDiKa,” bringing her Thai roots to the VMAs stage.
Sienna Spiro won Best New Artist. The British singer-songwriter performed “Great Expectation” at the show, capping what MEGA calls a breakthrough year for her.
Kacey Musgraves paid tribute to Dolly Parton with a rendition of “I Will Always Love You.” Parton died on August 25, 2026, at age 80, and the tribute began with archival footage of her introducing the song.
