Tori Sheehan
After a delayed start due to CBS’s huge football delay, Madonna’s historic comeback performance had already begun before some viewers could even see it. Hosted by Snoop Dogg at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, the VMAs aired live Sunday night on CBS. It was an iconic year for female artists, as Madonna and Taylor Swift dominated all nominated categories.
Iconic Comeback – Madonna
Madonna opened the VMAS this year with Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX. Madonna, whose provocative 1980s performances helped cement the VMAs as a can’t-miss cultural event. This marked Madonna’s first VMAS performance since her iconic 2003 performance on stage kiss with Britney Spears.
Most of you were probably not born when I performed at the very first VMAs 43 years ago,
Madonna, at the 2026 VMA
I spent the last year and a half finding myself, believing in myself and really making the music that I wanted to make. My hope for all of you here tonight is that you … do the same. Find yourself and believe in yourself.
Madonna had two of the biggest wins of the night – Artist of the Year and Best Collaboration.
Talent Is A Flame – Nirvana
Nirvana guitarist Pat Smear shocked viewers by lighting a cigarette on stage as the legendary band accepted the Video Vanguard Award, the VMAs’ lifetime achievement award.
The trio dedicated the award to member, Kurt Cobain, as Pat Smear took a drag of his cigarette. A shocking moment for viewers, but undoubtedly one Kurt Cobain would laugh at.
The ideas for those videos all grew out of the vision of one of the greatest artists of all time, Kurt Cobain. Kurt was one of one. Kurt would have loved that legacy. Thank you all so much.
The Video Vanguard Award honours an artist’s impact on music and culture. The award announcement coincided with the anniversary of their first VMA performance in 1992, where they performed “Lithium”
Recap: A Complete List of The Winners
- Video of The Year: Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
- Artist of the Year: Madonna
- Song of the Year: BTS – “Swim”
- Best New Artist: Sienna Spiro
- Best Collaboration: Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter
- Best Pop: LISA – “Dream” feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi
- Best Hip Hop: Cardi B feat. Kehlani – “Safe”
- Best R&B: Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”
- Best Alternative:
- Best Dance: Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
- Best Latin: Bad Bunny – “NUEVAYoL”
- Best K-pop: BTS – “SWIM”
- Best Country: Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
- Best Direction: Taylor Swift – “Opalite”
- Best Art Direction: PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson”
- Best Cinematography: Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
- Best Editing: Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour”
- Best Choreography: Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
- Best Visual Effects: Ariana Grande – “Hate That I Made You Love Me”
- Best Group: BTS
- Best Long Form Video: Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
- Best Album: Madonna – Confessions II
- Song of Summer: Ariana Grande – “Hate That I Made You Love Me”
And that concludes the highlights of this year’s VMAS. How are you feeling about the winners? Do you agree or do you think someone should have won a certain a category?
