The best and worst moments from the 2026 MTV VMAs
The best and worst moments from the 2026 MTV VMAs
Kathleen PerriconeMon, September 28, 2026 at 1:44 AM UTC
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Madonna accepts an award at the 2026 MTV VMAs; Kacey Musgraves performs at the 2026 MTV VMAsCredit: Stewart Cook/CBS; Matthew Taplinger/CBS via Getty
The 2026 MTV VMAs promised to be one for the pop culture record books — and it did not disappoint.
Between Snoop Dogg hosting, Madonna opening, and Taylor Swift premiering her new music video for “Patient Zero,” the awards show proved it’s still got it after 42 years on the air. But there were a few sour notes too, such as Seth Rogen’s random cameo in the female-empowered opening number.
Below, we’ve compiled the best and the worst moments from the 2026 VMAs. (Also, check out the full winners list here.)
01 of 09
WORST: NFL game delays the VMAs
Snoop Dogg hosts the 2026 MTV VMAs at the Peacock Theater in L.A.Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty
Sports culture took precedence over pop culture on Sunday night, as the Baltimore Ravens-Dallas Cowboys game ran longer than expected on CBS — 21 minutes past the MTV VMAs start time of 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT. “Hold tight,” the official MTV X account wrote at 7:33 p.m. ET.
The show’s host, Snoop Dogg, didn’t acknowledge the snafu in his opening monologue. But he did spill some tea on the show’s logistics.
“When they first asked me to host this award show, I said, ‘Is it gonna be in L.A.?’ I said, ‘No? Well, I’m busy,’” the Long Beach-born rapper revealed. “They called me back and said, ‘Hold on, Mr. Dogg. It’s in L.A. now.’”
02 of 09
BEST: Madonna opens the show with Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX
Madonna opens 2026 MTV VMAs with Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcxCredit: Paramount+(3)
The Queen of Pop brought out two of music’s princesses to open the 2026 show. Madonna’s musical medley began with Sabrina Carpenter on “Bring Your Love,” and as she transitioned to “Danceteria,” her remix collaborator Charli XCX burst out of a bathroom stall.
But they weren’t alone! A pair of fellow iconic women joined the trio on stage for a VMAs dance party: Madonna’s longtime friend Debi Mazar (who’s name-checked in the “Danceteria” lyrics) and Julia Garner, the actress long-rumored to portray the Material Girl in an upcoming biopic.
Madonna performs alongside Julia Garner and Debi Mazar at the 2026 MTV VMAsCredit: Paramount+
03 of 09
WORST: ... and then brings out Seth Rogen
Madonna and Seth Rogen o nstage at 2026 MTV VMAsCredit: Paramount+
Madonna’s opening number wasn’t a girls-only party. The ladies were also joined by VMAs nominee Sombr and, randomly, Seth Rogen. We’re not quite sure why, but The Studio star got into the groove, while wearing a leather ensemble and puffing on what appeared to be a joint, no less.
04 of 09
BEST: Kacey Musgraves pays tribute to Dolly Parton
Kacey Musgraves honors Dolly Parton at 2026 MTV VMAsCredit: Matthew Taplinger/CBS via Getty
There was barely a dry eye in the house as country superstar Kacey Musgraves honored the one and only Dolly Parton, who died on Aug. 25 after a brief battle with cancer. The “Slow Burn” singer, dressed in a sparkly magenta number with teased hair a la Dolly, delivered an emotional performance of the legend’s 1974 hit, “I Will Always Love You.” It was the perfect tribute for the beloved Queen of Country Music.
05 of 09
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BEST: Nirvana reunites 32 years later
Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear at 2026 MTV VMAsCredit: Francis Specker/CBS
The surviving members of Nirvana —Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear — reunited to accept the Video Vanguard Award, more than three decades after the band made their VMAs debut. Novoselic, Nirvana’s bassist, paid homage to late lead singer Kurt Cobain, who died from suicide in 1994.
“Kurt was one of one,” said Novoselic, as the audience erupted in cheers. “None us could imagine that our band, our sound, and our aesthetic would mean so much to so many people. But ultimately the music had a life of its own. It charted its own course. Nirvana continues to resonate so deeply because people are still hungry for authenticity, for something real, something uncompromising, something that tells people it’s just okay to ‘come as you are.’ Kurt would love that legacy.”
06 of 09
BEST: Lisa makes VMAs history
Lisa performs at the 2026 MTV VMAsCredit: Francis Specker/CBS
Blackpink’s Lisa stepped into the solo spotlight at the VMAs. After making history as the first K-pop artist to win the Moon Person for Best Pop (“Dream” featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi), the Thai rapper performed her new single, “Sawadika,” for the first time on television. The high-energy production included a choreographed fight sequence as Lisa took on each of her backup dancers, and never once missed a beat with her vocals.
07 of 09
BEST: Taylor Swift twins with Dakota Johnson
Taylor Swift and Dakota Johnson in the ‘Patient Zero’ videoCredit: CBS
Taylor Swift thanked her fans for their support by giving them the gift of her brand-new music video.
The pop star concluded her acceptance speech for the MTV VMA Artist Director Honors by announcing the world premiere of the “Patient Zero” visual “starring my friend Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell.”
As the song title suggests, the Swift-directed video was dark, both visually and thematically. Swift plays the ex of Farrell, who seemingly haunts his current girlfriend, Johnson, as she endures the same turbulent love (and a mysterious case of extreme nausea). Throughout the cinematic video, Swift and Johnson twin in identical outfits, and it’s revealed why in the end: Farrell’s character is poisoning Johnson, just as he did Swift back when she was “Patient Zero.”
Taylor Swift and Dakota Johnson wear identical gowns in the ‘Patient Zero’ videoCredit: CBS
08 of 09
WORST: Sombr hits sour note in George Michael tribute
Sombr pays tribute to George Michael at the 2026 MTV VMAsCredit: Kevin Winter/Getty
George Michael fans had to keep the faith at the start of the VMAs star-studded tribute to the late singer. Sombr, dressed in a cropped leather jacket, kicked off the medley with “Father Figure” and “Faith” and struggled vocally at times to match Michael’s soulful pipes.
Sombr was followed by Raye, who shined during her own solo performance but not quite as brightly during her slowed-down cover of “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me,” Michael’s duet with Aretha Franklin. Teddy Swims then took the stage for a solid rendition of “Careless Whisper.”
09 of 09
BEST: Adam Lambert’s surprise appearance brings down the house
Adam Lambert pays tribute to George Michael at 2026 MTV VMAsCredit: Francis Specker/CBS
Leave it to the vocal powerhouse who has spent over a decade filling in for Queen’s Freddie Mercury to end the George Michael tribute on a high note.
Adam Lambert strutted on stage in a studded and fringed leather jacket and proceeded to do the late Wham! singer justice with his rousing rendition of “Freedom ‘90” that had the crowd on its feet. The American Idol alum then brought out three equally talented British artists (MNEK, Saint Harrison, and Meek) to join him on the second verse, before Sombr, Raye, and Swims returned to the stage for the big finale.
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
