“My mother!”
Madonna made her big return to the MTV Video Music Awards with an epic performance of her newest hits and help from Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX.
The queen of pop hit the stage at the opening of the 2026 VMAs on Sunday, September 27, marking her first performance at the awards show in 23 years.
To kick things off, Madonna was joined by Carpenter to sing the dance duet “Bring Your Love”. Madonna stood on the piano while Carpenter played the keys.
They then began strutting around the stage, surrounding a group of dancers.
Then it was time for Madonna to change her wardrobe before moving into stage two with a veiled chorus.
At the grand finale, Madonna introduced Charli While singing the lyrics, celebrities such as Sombr, Debi Mazar and Julia Garner, who was previously planned to portray Madonna in a biopic, took the stage.
Tonight, all eyes are on Madonna, who released her 15th studio album “Confessions II” in July as the most nominated artist. It earned 13 nominations, including video of the year and artist of the year.
Her opening has now been added to the list of unforgettable performances Madonna has given at the awards ceremony. The VMAs have turned heads since they began in 1984. That year, she appeared on stage in a wedding dress while singing “Like a Virgin”.
She shared the stage and kissed Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera at the 2003 ceremony, and paid an emotional tribute to Michael Jackson shortly after his death in 2009.
“Madonna returning to the VMAs doesn’t feel like a comeback to me. It feels like the Queen of Pop coming back to the house she helped build,” NBC News entertainment writer Chris Witherspoon told TODAY.com before her performance.
We’ll be watching tonight to see if he can add a few more Moon Person trophies to his trophy collection.
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are hosted by Snoop Dogg at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Madonna ranks first with 11 nominations. The show will feature special presentations such as the MTV VMA Artist Director Honors and the Video Pioneer Award. Taylor Swift, who received nine nominations, will receive the Artist Director Honors award and release the music video for her new single “Patient Zero.” There will also be a tribute to Dolly Parton and George Michael at the ceremony.