To keep it interesting, the MTV VMAs 2026 featured a few great performances and some awkward moments that could have been taken off the air.
This year’s ceremony was held Sunday at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, marking the event’s first return to the West Coast since 2017.
The night, which featured knockout performances from Madonna, LISA and more, belonged entirely to Taylor Swift, of course. The pop star released the music video for her new song “Patient Zero” and made VMA history as the most awarded artist ever.
Here are the best and worst moments from this year’s VMAs.
WORST: The series’ catastrophic 20-minute delay
Before the show started, viewers were confused and disappointed. The VMAs were scheduled to air live on CBS and MTV at 7:30 p.m. ET, but were delayed more than 20 minutes due to the long run of the Baltimore Ravens-Dallas Cowboys NFL game.
Fans saw footage of the show on social media before it even aired, prompting X to ask, “Who scheduled Vmas after a football game? Like Wdym, we’re missing the Sabrina/madonna opening?” It led to angry posts such as.
BEST: Madonna opened the show with a suggestive performance
When the show finally started, Madonna started with a bang, delivering her first live VMA performance in 23 years.
The icon has brought together A-list collaborators including Sabrina Carpenter with her song “Bring Your Love” and Charli XCX with her song “Danceteria Afterhours.”
She also invited surprise guests, including her longtime friend Debi Mazar, as well as actress Julia Garner, who was expected to portray her in the now-canceled biopic, to the wildly entertaining mash-up series.
Madonna did what she does best – push the limits – engaging dancers with lasers shooting out of their nether regions and crashing and grinding on an elaborate stage designed to resemble bathroom stalls.
WORST: Snoop Dogg hosts the show
The rapper was a talented but boring emcee. Throughout the show, his scripted jokes failed to evoke more than a few giggles, and his opening monologue fell flat—though he did develop a fondness for Madonna after her suggestive performance.
“Madonna killed it, it’s an icon now,” he said as the crowd cheered, before adding with humor: “All I want to say is, she’s not a virgin anymore.”
BEST: Kacey Musgraves pays tribute to Dolly Parton with emotional performance
Musgraves paid tribute to the late country music icon, who died in August at the age of 80 after a secret battle with cancer.
Musgraves sounded flawless, letting her vocals shine with just a piano behind her as she sang a stripped-down version of Parton’s 1974 hit “I Will Always Love You.”
The performance was perfect in its simplicity and pure emotion; the singer had to fight back tears at the end.
WORST: Nirvana’s moving Video Vanguard Award acceptance speech
Nirvana received MTV’s most coveted award, the Video Vanguard Award, on Sunday; They became the first band to receive this honor since Duran Duran in 2003.
But Nirvana fans were left wanting more when Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear accepted the award. After Chuck D’s introduction, the remaining three members paid tribute to their late frontman Kurt Cobain, but it wasn’t particularly memorable.
WORST: Madonna’s rambling acceptance speeches
Madonna won multiple Moon Men awards on Sunday, including Best Collaboration (with Carpenter), Artist of the Year, and Best Dance. But his messy acceptance speeches ran uncomfortably long and at times contained unnecessary information that confused the audience.
“First of all, I want to thank my fingers because I can always count on them,” he said while accepting the Artist of the Year award.
She later won the award for Best Dance and admitted that she had forgotten what the award was for.
Material Girl might need a nap.
BEST: Taylor Swift releases ‘Patient Zero’ music video
What can’t he do?
Swift released the music video for her new song “Patient Zero” after winning her first Artist Director Honor award, presented by her close friend Dakota Johnson.
In addition to Johnson, the music video also stars Colin Farrell, who plays a bad husband who treats Johnson badly.
Swifties undoubtedly devoured the new music video, which doesn’t disappoint with its A-list talent and surprising ending.
WORST: Sombr’s George Michaels tribute
Sombr, Raye, Teddy Swims and Adam Lambert were chosen to commemorate the legendary British singer, who passed away in 2016. He was 53 years old.
The tribute began with Sombr singing Michael’s classics “Faith” and “Father Figure,” but Michael was completely lacking in energy.
Lambert then attempted to breathe life back into the scene with his high-energy cover of “Freedom! ’90,” but the tribute was sorely lacking given Michaels’ iconic legacy.
BEST: Swift honors ‘ultimate showgirl’ Parton
Swift dedicated her Video of the Year award to Parton for “The Fate of Ophelia” and called Parton “the ultimate showgirl.”
“She handles this job with such grace, joy, love and gratitude that she has to do this,” he said.
Swift ended the night on a perfect, heartwarming note
“We were all very, very lucky to share this planet with Dolly Parton for a while,” he said.
WORST: No celebrities in the audience
We miss the days when Swift would enthusiastically dance in the audience with her famous friends.
Surprisingly, this year’s show did not include any celebrities in the audience during the performances; which left fans with a missed opportunity to see the heartfelt reactions that always go viral.