Greatest VMAs moments, from Madonna to Taylor Swift

Published On: September 28, 2026

Sept. 28, 2026, 7:01 a.m. ET

Whether or not honoring the previous with an accolade for Nirvana or christening the vocal spitfire Raye, the MTV Video Music Awards crisscrossed demographics and genres whereas sparking a couple of notable moments.

The VMAs, hosted by Snoop Dogg, returned to Los Angeles on Sept. 27, with Madonna – the one artist gracing the stage who additionally carried out on the inaugural VMAs in 1984 – opening the proceedings with a celeb-packed medley of recent songs and ending with Taylor Swift, now essentially the most awarded artist in VMAs historical past with 33, dedicating her video of the 12 months award (“The Destiny of Ophelia”) to the late Dolly Parton.

Madonna demonstrated her continued relevancy because the evening’s most-nominated artist and took house seven awards from her 11 nominations, whereas Swift additionally premiered her video for “Affected person Zero,” from “The Lifetime of a Showgirl: The Encore” album that bowed Sept. 25.

From that long-awaited Madonna return to a starry tribute to George Michael, right here have been the very best and buzziest moments from the 2026 VMAs.

Madonna returns with provocative efficiency and celeb cameos

Madonna opened the 2026 VMAs by proclaiming, “It’s mom…” earlier than bouncing into an eight-minute efficiency stocked with visitor appearances.

From a blur of smoke, lasers and writhing our bodies, Madonna emerged atop a piano being performed by Sabrina Carpenter, her associate in hit “Deliver Your Love.” The pair scampered via the music – Madonna flinging her lengthy blond hair, Carpenter in a signature glitter-shorts outfit – earlier than Madonna unveiled her personal crimson ensemble as she writhed on a desk that encircled a gospel choir.

However the visitor pictures weren’t over.

Charlie XCX, tossing a cigarette as she strode out in sun shades and fishnets, sashayed with Madonna via a “Danceteria” stuffed with nods to Madonna’s historical past. From the toilet hand dryer (hello, “Desperately Looking for Susan”) to a platform of dancers dressed as Madonna via her quite a few incarnations, the nods have been apparent and enjoyable, notably the snippet of Lou Reed’s “Stroll on the Wild Aspect” – a becoming wink to Madonna’s mirror ball ode to New York Metropolis.

In July, Madonna, 68, launched “Confessions II.” Her Sept. 27 efficiency was her first stay VMAs efficiency in 23 years – the final coming in 2003 along with her much-ballyhooed kiss with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera throughout a mashup of “Like a Virgin” and “Hollywood.”

However Madonna’s connection to VMAs fame stretches again to her “Like a Virgin” spectacle in the course of the inaugural present in 1984 with a provocative, marriage ceremony dress-clad efficiency etched in popular culture historical past. Since then, the long-lasting singer has been tied to the VMAs quite a few instances, together with being christened as the primary solo feminine artist to obtain the Video Vanguard Award in 1986.

Madonna was the evening’s largest winner, taking house seven of her 11 nominations, together with video of the 12 months (“Confessions II − The Movie”), artist of the 12 months and music of the 12 months (“Deliver Your Love,” with Sabrina Carpenter).

Taylor Swift turns into most awarded artist in VMAs historical past

Taylor Swift added one other handful of Moon Individuals to her record-setting assortment on the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.

After making her positively “Bejeweled” crimson carpet look in Tamara Ralph, the pop celebrity gained three trophies: artist director honors; video of the 12 months for “The Destiny of Ophelia” and greatest path for “Opalite.” With a brand new all-time tally of 33 wins, she overtook Beyoncé‘s 30 to turn into essentially the most embellished artist within the present’s historical past.

Swift additionally premiered her new “Affected person Zero” music video after accepting the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors in celebration of what she estimated have been “roughly 60 music movies” she’s made in 20 years.

Swift shouted out “the final word showgirl,” Dolly Parton as she accepted the evening’s prime prize, video of the 12 months, noting that the accomplishment “would not have been potential with out her.”

George Michael honored by Raye, Sombr, Teddy Swims and Adam Lambert

George Michael and MTV have been synonymous within the ‘80s with each his solo work (these “Religion” denims!) and Wham! (that “Wake Me Earlier than You Go-Go” neon!).

The enigmatic British celebrity, who died in 2016 at age 53, was remembered for his contributions – each musical and visible – with a tribute from Raye, Sombr, Teddy Swims and shock visitor Adam Lambert.

Sombr opened the homage, honoring that “Religion” video together with his personal style – leather-based pants and torso-baring jacket – as he bopped via a horn-infused model of the traditional.

As photographs of Michael rose above the stage, Raye arrived for a gospel-flavored “I Knew You Had been Ready (For Me),” Michael’s 1986 hit with Aretha Franklin.

In fact any Michael tribute needed to have good sax, and it arrived on cue for “Careless Whisper,” dealt with with first rate depth by Swims, who carried out in a lighted circle throughout the crowd.

Lambert closed out the well-crafted nod to Michael, bringing his electrifying presence to “Freedom! ’90,” an ideal embodiment of Michael’s spunkiness in his heyday.

Although Michael was notoriously press shy, he did make a lone look on the VMAs in 1989 to just accept the Video Vanguard Award. He additionally gained 4 VMAs within the late-‘80s and ‘90s. This 12 months’s tribute is tied to the 40^th anniversary of his landmark “Religion” album, in addition to the stay album “George Michael: The Religion Tour” (out Nov. 6) and the live performance movie of the identical identify, which arrives in theaters Dec. 11.