The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards certainly gave Us something to sing about.
The music scene’s best and brightest — from Madonna and Taylor Swift to host Snoop Dogg and more — came together for the Sunday, September 27, awards ceremony held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
From Madonna’s opening number to Swift giving Us chills for her latest music video directorial masterpiece, Sunday’s show was full of standout surprises.
Keep scrolling to revisit Us’ most memorable moments from the VMAS — and those that left Us wanting more:
BEST: The Queen of Pop Has Returned
Madonna, who was nominated for a record 13 trophies, kicked off the show with a medley of hits featuring Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX and Sombr.
The opening was a who’s who of famous faces with Madonna’s longtime pal Debi Mazar making a cameo, as well as Julia Garner, who was set to play the Queen of Pop in a now-scrapped biopic.
“Madonna just killed it,” host Snoop Dogg gushed in his opening monologue. “Now, that is an icon!”
WORST: The Late Start
The VMAs were off to a troubling start when the Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys football game ran long, delaying the live ceremony by nearly 30 minutes. Over on MTV, a retrospective of Video Vanguard winners played that just left Us confused and waiting for new updates.
Once the Ravens won 34-31 in overtime, the ceremony was finally underway.
BEST: Remembering Dolly Parton
The VMAs paid tribute to Dolly Parton, who died in August at the age of 80, with an emotional performance by Kacey Musgraves. Dressed in a sparkly pink gown, Musgraves had Us reaching for the Kleenex during her cover of Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”
“Wow, now that’s how you honor a legend,” Snoop proclaimed afterward. “There’s nothing but love for Dolly in this room.”
Later that night, Taylor Swift won Video of the Year and dedicated the prize to “the ultimate showgirl” Parton.
“Every single song that she wrote, her storytelling was so vivid and so rich that listening to her music was like watching the best music video,” Swift gushed. “I will always be one of [her] fans. … I think we were all very lucky to share this planet with Dolly Parton for a time.”
WORST: Madonna’s Bout of Confusion
Madonna triumphed at the VMAs, taking home a handful of Moonperson trophies, though she appeared confused during her multiple acceptance speeches. Winning Best Collaboration, she stressed that she hadn’t written a speech. Hours later, she won Best Dance and audibly asked Charli XCX and Troye Sivan to name the category before rambling about her passion for hitting the dance floor.
As much as we love Madonna, her unscripted moments had Us scratching our heads.
BEST: Taylor Swift Gets Cinematic
Instead of delivering a lengthy acceptance speech for the inaugural Artist Director Honors, Taylor Swift premiered the music video for “Patient Zero.” Starring Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell, the pop star directed a mini-movie to chronicle a tumultuous relationship.
“The main reason why I love writing and directing music videos so much is because you, the fans, make it so much fun,” she said onstage moments earlier. “You make it so rewarding because you actually care about what we’re making. So, you know, I want to say thank you to everyone who ever worked on a music video that I got to be a part of. I learned something from every single person that ever worked alongside me on these projects.”
BEST: Nirvana Stages a Nostalgia-Fueled Reunion
Nirvana earned the coveted Video Vanguard Award, in which former members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear reunited to accept the trophy. (Their late bandmate, Kurt Cobain, died by suicide in 1994 at the age of 27.)
“The ideas of [the band’s videos] all grew out of the vision of one of the greatest artists of all time, Kurt Cobain,” Novoselic said. “Kurt was one of one. None of us could have imagined that our band, our sound or our aesthetic would mean so much to so many people, but ultimately the music had a life of its own.”
WORST: Kurt Cobain’s Family Absent From VMAs
Despite the surviving members of Nirvana’s presence, there was no mention of Cobain’s widow, Courtney Love, nor daughter Frances Bean. Love and her daughter also were not present on Sunday, leaving Us missing both during the awards show.
Worst: Sombr’s Unexpected Performance
Sombr joined Adam Lambert for a musical tribute to the late George Michael, though his appearance seemed out-of-place and awkward to many of those watching at home.
