The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards brought performances from Madonna, LISA and Kacey Musgraves, while Taylor Swift reached a new milestone and Nirvana’s surviving members received the Video Vanguard award.
The ceremony took place at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, with Madonna making her first appearance at the VMAs in more than 20 years.
Madonna returns to the MTV Video Music Awards
Madonna opened the show with Sabrina Carpenter, performing “Bring Your Love” amid green lasers and images inspired by her recent album, “Confessions II”. She introduced the appearance by declaring: “It’s mother.”
“Bring Your Love” later won the Best Collaboration award. Madonna then performed “Danceteria” with Charli XCX, joined by Debi Mazar and Julia Garner, who also appeared in the song’s music video.
Taylor Swift sets a new VMAs record
Taylor Swift was awarded the VMAs’ first Artist Director Honors, recognising artists whose work behind the camera has broadened the possibilities of music videos and visual storytelling.
The honour means Swift becomes the ceremony’s most-awarded artist. She had been tied with Beyoncé on 30 Moon Person trophies as of 2024 and was also nominated in 11 categories this year.
Nirvana honoured with Video Vanguard award
Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear accepted the Video Vanguard award on behalf of Nirvana, recognising the grunge band’s contribution to music videos.
The tribute featured archival footage of the late Kurt Cobain discussing the making of videos including “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, “Come As You Are” and “Heart-Shaped Box”.
Tributes and performances
Kacey Musgraves paid tribute to Dolly Parton after the ceremony showed a short video of the country music star. Musgraves performed “I Will Always Love You”, which Parton released in 1974 and which later gained renewed attention through Whitney Houston’s recording.
Parton, one of country music’s most successful and influential performers, died last month following a brief battle with cancer.
LISA gave the television debut of her new single, “SaWaDiKa”, including a sequence in which she rode in the front of a Thai tuk-tuk taxi. Earlier in the evening, she won the Best Pop award for “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi”.
