Madonna was the big winner at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), a ceremony dominated by women. Taylor Swift was also among the standout performers, becoming the most awarded artist in the awards' history.
The Queen of Pop kicked off the evening as the most nominated artist of the year with 13 nominations, of which she won seven, including three during the broadcast: for best collaboration ('Bring Your Love' with Sabrina Carpenter), best dance and artist of the year.
“Most of you probably weren’t even born when I performed at the first VMAs 43 years ago,” the 68-year-old singer said as she accepted the award for artist of the year, beating out Swift, Carpenter, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and Morgan Wallen.
She found herself
“I’ve spent the last year and a half finding myself, believing in myself, and really making the music I wanted to make,” the singer of hits like “Like a Virgin,” “Like a Prayer,” and “Hung Up” continued. “My hope for all of you here tonight is that you… do the same. Find yourselves and believe in yourselves,” she added.
Madonna, whose provocative performances helped solidify the VMAs as a cultural event, opened the show with her first performance in 23 years, her first since her famous onstage kiss with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera in 2003.
She performed two songs from 'Confessions II': 'Bring Your Love' with Sabrina Carpenter, and 'Danceteria', her tribute to the 80s club scene in New York, with Charli xcx.
Dedicated to Dolly Parton
Swift, for her part, won in three categories, including video of the year for 'The Fate of Ophelia', and received the unprecedented Artist Director Honor award.
Sienna Spiro, Lisa, BTS, Ariana Grande, Olivia Rodrigo, Cardi B, Bruno Mars and Bad Bunny were also among the award-winning artists of the night.
The newlywed dedicated the Artist Director Honor, which, according to some media, she herself suggested MTV create, to the late Dolly Parton.
"Listening to her songs is like watching the best music video you've ever seen, every time you hear what she's written. She handled this with such grace, joy, love, and gratitude for the fact that she was able to do this, and everything that happened in her life or career, she channeled back into love, gratitude, and appreciation for her fans," Swift emphasized.
