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Watch this article for live coverage of the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).

For the first time in twenty years, Madonna has been nominated for the main three categories (Video of the Year, Song of the Year, Artist of the Year), with her Confessions II album earning her thirteen nominations.

Madonna is followed by Taylor Swift with eleven nominations; Sabrina Carpenter with nine, Ariana Grande with eight, Bruno Mars with seven, and Ella Langley, PinkPantheress, and Zara Larsson with five each. Madonna and Carpenter are the only two artists nominated in all three of the main categories.

For the opening performance, Madonna brought out Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX to perform “Bring Your Love” and “Danceteria Afterhours.”

First, Snoop Dogg opened the show, getting the crowd amped up and introducing musician and actress Teyana Taylor. Teyana then announced the nominees for the ‘Best Pop’ category, which is ultimately awarded to LISA.

Raye subsequently performed “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!,” with a special “Click Clack Symphony” introduction piece. She stunned the crowd with her vocals (and her gorgeous red dress.)

Paris Hilton presented the next performer. Bruno Mars had the entire crowd belting out the lyrics to “Dance With Me,” as he paraded around the stage in a white suit and matching cowboy hat. And can we talk about his guitar solo? My jaw was on the floor.

After that, Kacey Musgraves honored the legendary Dolly Parton with a beautiful rendition of “I Will Always Love You.”

Shaboozey was introduced by reality TV star Ciara Miller, performed a couple of songs from his album The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales. Gunna took the stage with Shaboozey on a stage that was magically transformed into an old western saloon.

Tonight’s nominees for best collaboration are announced, and the VMA ended up going to Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter. The duo shared the very cute, playful story of how their collaboration came to be.

Tyla gave a heartfelt introduction to singer LISA , who performed her latest single “SaWaDiKa.” The K-POP star’s performance was filled with dancing and quick-paced set changes.

To present Nirvana with the Video Vanguard Award, they played a video about the history and artistry of the group and their music videos. The band accepted their award with a heartfelt speech about late musician and icon, Kurt Cobain.

Then, the reward for ‘Artist of the Year’ was presented, with Madonna taking the title.

Sienna Spiro followed with a simple, emotional performance, standing in a metallic dress under a singular spotlight.

After being presented with the Artist Director Honors by Dakota Johnson, Taylor Swift premiered her new music video for “Patient Zero.”

Madonna then returned to the stage for the third time to accept the reward for ‘Best Dance,’ playfully leaning on presenters Charli XCX and Troye Sivan throughout her speech.

Sombr, Raye, Teddy Swims, and the amazing Adam Lambert performed a heartfelt and joyful tribute to George Michael, introduced by my personal favorite country artist, Orville Peck.

Alex Warren took the stage to pass down the title of ‘Best New Artist’ to Sienna Spiro, who was very shocked and grateful to be receiving the honor.

GENER8ION and Yung Lean performed “STORM.”

Snoop Dogg returned to the stage to announce the nominees for the biggest award of the night, ‘Video of the Year.’ In her acceptance speech, Taylor Swift thanked “the ultimate showgirl,” Dolly Parton.

As the night came to a close, Snoop jokingly told the crowd that they need to go home now, closing out the 2026 VMAs on a light, unserious note.

In the end, the artists with multiple wins are as follows:

Madonna (7 wins of 13 nominations)

Taylor Swift (3 wins of 11 nominations)

BTS (3 wins of 3 nominations)

Sabrina Carpenter (2 wins of 9 nominations)

Ariana Grande (2 wins of 8 nominations)

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Below are all the 2026 VMA nominations, and winners as announced:

MICHAEL JACKSON VIDEO VANGUARD

Nirvana

MTV VMA ARTIST DIRECTOR HONORS

Taylor Swift

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Artist	Song / Video	Label
Taylor Swift — WINNER	“The Fate of Ophelia”	Republic Records
Ariana Grande	“hate that i made you love me”	Republic Records
Bruno Mars	“I Just Might”	Atlantic Records
GENER8ION	“STORM starring Yung Lean”	Iconoclast Music
Madonna	“Confessions II – The Film”	Warner Records
Sabrina Carpenter	“Tears”	Island

BEST NEW ARTIST, presented by The General Insurance®

Artist	Label
Sienna Spiro — WINNER	Capitol Records
Bella Kay	Atlantic Records
CORTIS	BIGHIT MUSIC
Magnus Ferrell	Visva Records/Republic Records
Malcolm Todd	Columbia Records
Myles Smith	RCA Records
Stella Lefty	Sandlot/Atlantic Outpost

BEST DANCE, presented by BACARDÍ® Rum

Artist	Song	Label
Madonna — WINNER	“Confessions II – The Film”	Warner Records
Bebe Rexha & Faithless	“New Religion”	Bebe Rexha Music LLC/EMPIRE
Harry Styles	“Aperture”	Columbia Records
Lady Gaga & Doechii	“RUNWAY”	Lil Monsters/Top Dawg Entertainment/Interscope Records/Capitol Records
PinkPantheress	“Stateside + Zara Larsson”	Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records
Slayyyter	“DANCE…”	RECORDS/Columbia Records
Tate McRae	“Nobody’s Girl”	RCA Records

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Artist	Label
Madonna – WINNER	Warner Records
Ariana Grande	Republic Records
Bruno Mars	Atlantic Records
Morgan Wallen	Big Loud/Mercury Records
Sabrina Carpenter	Island
Taylor Swift	Republic Records

BEST COLLABORATION

Artist	Song	Label
Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – WINNER	“Bring Your Love”	Warner Records
Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Malice	“Chains & Whips”	Roc Nation Distribution
French Montana x Max B	“Ever Since U Left Me”	Coke Boys Records
PinkPantheress	“Stateside + Zara Larsson”	Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records
Shakira & Burna Boy	“Dai Dai”	Sony Music US Latin
Teyana Taylor & Lucky Daye	“Hard Part”	Def Jam Recordings

BEST POP

Artist	Song	Label
LISA – WINNER	“Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi”	Lloud Co./RCA Records
Ariana Grande	“hate that i made you love me”	Republic Records
Charli xcx	“SS26”	Atlantic Records
Olivia Rodrigo	“drop dead”	Geffen Records
Sabrina Carpenter	“House Tour”	Island
Tate McRae	“Nobody’s Girl”	RCA Records
Taylor Swift	“The Fate of Ophelia”	Republic Records

SONG OF THE YEAR

Artist	Song	Label
BTS — WINNER	“Swim”	BIGHIT MUSIC
Ella Langley	“Choosin’ Texas”	Columbia Records
HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI	“Golden”	Republic Records/Visva Records
Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter	“Bring Your Love”	Warner Records
Olivia Dean	“Man I Need”	Island
PinkPantheress	“Stateside + Zara Larsson”	Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records
RAYE	“WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”	Human Re Sources

BEST HIP-HOP

Artist	Song	Label
Cardi B ft. Kehlani — WINNER	“Safe”	Atlantic Records
Don Toliver	“E85”	Cactus Jack/Atlantic Records
Drake	“Janice STFU”	OVO/Republic Records
Megan Thee Stallion	“LOVER GIRL”	Hot Girl Productions
Travis Scott	“DUMBO”	Cactus Jack/Epic Records
Tyler, The Creator	“SUGAR ON MY TONGUE”	Columbia Records

BEST R&B

Artist	Song	Label
Bruno Mars — WINNER	“I Just Might”	Atlantic Records
Chris Brown	“It Depends/Obvious”	RCA Records
Dave & Tems	“Raindance”	Neighbourhood Recordings/Capitol Records
Justin Bieber	“YUKON”	Def Jam Recordings
Kehlani	“Folded”	Atlantic Records
Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis	“Is It a Crime”	Epic Records

BEST ALTERNATIVE

Artist	Song	Label
Olivia Rodrigo — WINNER	“the cure”	Geffen Records
Geese	“Taxes”	Partisan Records/Play It Again Sam
mgk & Fred Durst	“FIX UR FACE”	EST 19XX LLC/Interscope Records
Noah Kahan	“The Great Divide”	Mercury Records
SOMBR	“Homewrecker”	SMB Music/Warner Records
Tame Impala	“Dracula”	Columbia Records
Twenty Øne Piløts	“Drag Path”	Fueled By Ramen

BEST LATIN

Artist	Song	Label
Bad Bunny— WINNER	“NUEVAYoL”	Rimas Entertainment
Anitta with Shakira	“Choka Choka”	Republic Records/UMLE
Fuerza Regida	“TU SANCHO”	Rancho Humilde/Street Mob Records/Sony Music US Latin
KAROL G	“Papasito”	Bichota Records/Interscope Records
Rosalía ft. Yahritza Y Su Esencia	“La Perla”	Columbia Records
Ryan Castro, Kapo & GANGSTA	“LA VILLA”	AWOO Corp./Sony Music US Latin
Shakira & Burna Boy	“Dai Dai”	Sony Music US Latin

BEST K-POP

Artist	Song	Label
BTS — WINNER	“SWIM”	BIGHIT MUSIC
BLACKPINK	“JUMP”	YG Entertainment
CORTIS	“REDRED”	BIGHIT MUSIC
KATSEYE	“PINKY UP”	HYBE x Geffen Records
LE SSERAFIM (feat. j-hope of BTS)	“SPAGHETTI”	SOURCE MUSIC

BEST COUNTRY

Artist	Song	Label
Ella Langley — WINNER	“Choosin’ Texas”	Columbia Records
Kacey Musgraves	“Dry Spell”	Lost Highway Records
Laney Wilson	“Somewhere Over Laredo”	Broken Bow Records
Luke Combs	“Back in the Saddle”	Sony Music Nashville
Shaboozey	“Cowgirl”	EMPIRE
STELLA LEFTY	“Boston”	Atlantic Records
Tucker Wetmore	“Brunette”	UMG Nashville

BEST GROUP

Group	Label
BTS — WINNER	BIGHIT MUSIC
BLACKPINK	YG Entertainment
CORTIS	BIGHIT MUSIC
Flo	Island Records
Fuerza Regida	Rancho Humilde
Geese	Partisan Records
KATSEYE	HYBE x Geffen Records
Twenty Øne Piløts	Fueled By Ramen

BEST LONG FORM VIDEO

Artist	Song	Director
Madonna — WINNER	“Confessions II – The Film”	Warner Records
Charli XCX	Music, Fashion, Film	Atlantic Records
Ella Langley	“Choosin’ Texas”	Columbia Records
GENER8ION	“STORM starring Yung Lean”	Iconoclast Music

BEST ALBUM

Artist	Song	Director
Madonna — WINNER	Confessions II	Warner Records
Bruno Mars	The Romnantic	Atlantic Records
Drake	Iceman	OVO Sound
Ella Langley	Dandelion	Columbia Records
Harry Styles	Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.	Columbia Records
Olivia Dean	The Art of Loving	Island Records
Olivia Rodrigo	you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love	Geffen Records
Sabrina Carpenter	Man’s Best Friend	Island Records
Taylor Swift	The Life of a Showgirl	Republic Records

SONG OF THE SUMMER

Artist	Song	Director
Ariana Grande — WINNER	“hate that i made you love me”	Republic Records
Bruno Mars	“Risk It All”	Atlantic Records
Charli XCX	“Camera”	Atlantic Records
Ella Langley	“Choosin’ Texas”	Columbia Records
KATSEYE	“Hootie Frutti”	HYBE x Geffen
Latto featuring Doja Cat	“Okayyy”	RCA Records
Morgan Wallen	“Been By Now”	Big Loud Records
Sabrina Carpenter	“House Tour”	Island Records
Slayyyter	“Brand New Chanel$”	Columbia Records
Sombr	“Homewrecker”	Warner Records
STELLA LEFTY	“Boston”	Atlantic Records
Tame Impala and JENNIE	“Dracula”	Columbia Records
Taylor Swift	“I Knew It, I Knew You”	Republic Records

BEST DIRECTION

Artist	Song	Director
Taylor Swift — WINNER	“Opalite”	Taylor Swift
Ariana Grande	“hate that i made you love me”	Christian Breslauer
Bruno Mars	“I Just Might”	Bruno Mars & Daniel Ramos
GENER8ION	“STORM starring Yung Lean”	Romain Gavras
Madonna	“Confessions II – The Film”	TORSO
Sabrina Carpenter	“House Tour”	Sabrina Carpenter & Margaret Qualley

BEST ART DIRECTION

Artist	Song	Art Director
PinkPantheress — WINNER	“Stateside + Zara Larsson”	Furmaan Ahmed
Charli XCX	“SS26”	Nicola Scarlino
Lady Gaga & Doechii	“RUNWAY”	Freyja Bardell
Madonna	“Confessions II – The Film”	TORSO & Arthur de Borman
Sombr	“My Body Isn’t Ready”	Olivia McManus
Taylor Swift	“The Fate of Ophelia”	Ethan Tobman

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Artist	Song	Director of Photography
Madonna — WINNER	“Confessions II: The Film”	Daniel Landin
A$AP Rocky	“Punk Rocky”	Jake Gabbay
Ariana Grande	“hate that i made you love me”	Janusz Kami?ski
LISA	“Dream featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi”	Eumko
Shaboozey	“Cowgirl”	Mitchell Maher Perrin
Taylor Swift	“The Fate of Ophelia”	Rodrigo Prieto

BEST EDITING

Artist	Song	Editor
Sabrina Carpenter — WINNER	“House Tour”	Sofia Kerpan at Modern Post
Ariana Grande	“hate that i made you love me”	Luis Caraza Peimbert
Bruno Mars	“I Just Might”	Daniel Ramos
LISA	“Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi”	Kwon O-jun
Madonna	“Confessions II – The Film”	Will Town, Lauren Friedman and Danny Tull
Taylor Swift	“The Fate of Ophelia”	Chancler Haynes

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

Artist	Song	Editor
Madonna — WINNER	“Confessions II – The Film”	Damien Jalet, Megan Lawson, Young Boy Dancing Group and Nicolas Huchard
GENER8TION	“Storm starring Yung Lean”	Damien Jalet
Harry Styles	“Dance No More”	Ryan Heffington
KATSEYE	“PINKY UP”	Grant Gilmore, Sohey Sugihara, Sergio Reis, and Zacc Milne
Tate McRae	“Nobody’s Girl”	(LA)HORDE, Arthur Harel, Marine Brutti, and Jonathan Debrouwer
Taylor Swift	“The Fate of Ophelia”	Mandy Moore and Amanda Balen

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Artist	Song	Editor
Ariana Grande — WINNER	“hate that i made you love me”	Mathematic Studio, Hadi Dahrouge, and Jehan Bouazza
JISOO and Zayn	“Eyes Closed”	Serhii Solodkyi
Madonna	“Confessions II – The Film”	Monumental
PinkPantheress	“Stateside + Zara Larsson”	Copenhagen VFX
Raye featuring Hans Zimmer	“Click Clack Symphony”	Frame23 Studio
Taylor Swift	“The Fate of Ophelia”	Parliament

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