23 Must-See Moments You Might Have Missed From The 2026 VMAs

Over the last five decades, the MTV VMAs have become known as one of the most chaotic and unpredictable awards shows of them all.

And given that this year featured another performance from Madonna, who was also the year’s most-nominated artist, you could pretty much count on the 2026 Video Music Awards giving us plenty “to talk about”.

Here’s a quick round-up of everything you might have missed from Sunday night’s ceremony...

First of all, we have to shout out some of the stand-out red carpets, beginning with Lisa

If there’s one thing Tyla knows how to do it’s serve at all times

Troye Sivan paid homage to the underrated Disney icon that is the feather duster from Beauty And The Beast on the red carpet

Sombr also took a bold fashion risk and whether or not it paid off is entirely up to you to decide

Let’s just take a moment to celebrate this Normani look

And surprise performer Adam Lambert also went all out with his VMAs ensemble

Madonna opened the show by bringing her Confessions II short film to life on stage – vagina lasers and all

She began by reuniting with Bring Your Love star Sabrina Carpenter, marking the Espresso singer’s third VMAs performance in as many years (and her first playing the piano!)

There was the slightest of technical hitches during Madonna’s performance involving some playback which… yeah

Madonna also brought out no end of surprise guests when she teamed up with Charli XCX on a live rendition of their new Danceteria remix

Raye’s Where Is My Husband! performance only cemented why that song has become such an international hit

Country megastar Kacey Musgraves paid a beautiful tribute to Dolly Parton with her take on I Will Always Love You

A host of stars paid homage to George Michael in the lead-up to the 10th anniversary of his death, including queer performers like Adam Lambert and the UK’s own MNEK

Gener8ion and Yung Lean’s Storm II performance recreated their iconic music video’s jaw-dropping choreo

Lisa absolutely served with her rendition of Sawadika

Considering how far they’ve both come in their careers, we loved watching former collaborators (and homegrown stars!) Raye and Charli XCX hanging out at the VMAs

As for the night’s awards, Madonna came out on top, including an Artist Of The Year win presented to her by collaborator Charli XCX and Troye Sivan (who recently sampled the Queen of Pop’s number one hit Music on his new single Party)

PinkPantheress seemed a little distracted during Madonna’s speech

Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter also won Best Collaboration and their shared speech was a little… bumpy, let’s just say that

British singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro became the latest winner of the Best New Artist title, recently won by the likes of Doja Cat, Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan (not to mention historic winners like Eminem, Lady Gaga, Nirvana and Eurythmics)

The top prize of the night, Video Of The Year, went to Taylor Swift for The Fate Of Ophelia – and she was also honoured with the never-before-presented VMA Artist Director Honours in recognition of how many of her videos she’s directed herself

Naturally, whoever was in charge of the cameras at the VMAs couldn’t resist a shady cut to Charli XCX during Taylor Swift’s speech

Taylor Swift also took a moment to remember ‘the ultimate showgirl’ Dolly Parton as she accepted her latest Video Of The Year win