New Delhi: The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards had plenty to offer. From Madonna opening the show and Snoop Dogg taking on hosting duties to Taylor Swift premiering her new music video and Off Campus co-stars Belmont Cameli and Ella Bright addressing their alleged fallout, the night was one for the history books.
The night also saw emotional tributes, reunions and performances that had the audience off their feet. While some moments worked better than others, the VMAs once again delivered its mix of music and pop culture.
1. A football snag
The awards ceremony on 27 September got off to a slightly unusual start. The Baltimore Ravens-Dallas Cowboys game on CBS ran 21 minutes longer than expected, delaying the awards show, which was scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm Eastern time.
MTV’s official X account asked viewers to “hold tight” as they waited for the game to end.
Snoop Dogg, who hosted the ceremony, did not speak about the delay when he opened the show. Instead, he joked about how he initially refused to host the show because he thought it would be held outside Los Angeles, adding that he changed his mind after being told the show would take place in the city.
2. Madonna and child (MTV’s version)
Madonna opened the awards with a performance that brought together some of pop music’s biggest names.
The Queen of Pop began her medley with Sabrina Carpenter performing their new collab ‘Bring Your Love’. She then sang ‘Danceteria’, with Charli XCX emerging from a bathroom stall on stage.
The performance also featured Madonna’s longtime friend Debi Mazar and actress Julia Garner, who has been linked to the upcoming Madonna biopic.
The stage soon turned into a party, with VMAs nominee Sombr and actor Seth Rogen also joining the performance. Rogen appeared in a leather outfit and seemed to be smoking what looked like a cigarette.
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3. A surprise for the Swifties
Taylor Swift may not have been on stage with Madonna, the icons two were seen sharing a hug during the ceremony.
While accepting the award for the first-ever MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, Swift announced that she would premiere the music video for her new song ‘Patient Zero’ at the ceremony.
The video, part of the album The Life of a Showgirl, was directed by the singer and stars actors Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell. Swift plays Farrell’s former girlfriend, who appears to haunt his new partner, played by Johnson.
The video eventually reveals the reason behind their connection. Farrell’s character is shown poisoning Johnson, just as he had previously poisoned Swift’s character, making her the original ‘Patient Zero’.
Swift also received the Best Music Video award, which she dedicated to late country music singer, Dolly Parton, who died earlier this year.
“I want to thank and dedicate this award to one person, without whom this wouldn’t be happening, and that person is the ultimate showgirl, Dolly Parton,” she said, winning the award for ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ video from her album The Life of a Showgirl. The inaugural Artist Director Honors along with the most coveted award of the night made Swift the most awarded artist in VMAs history, with a total of 33 Moonmans.
4. Remembering Dolly
One of the most emotional moments of the night came when Kacey Musgraves paid tribute to Dolly Parton.
Parton died on 25 August at the age of 80. Musgraves performed the country music icon’s 1974 classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ as a tribut.
For the performance, Musgraves was dressed in a sparkling magenta outfit with big, teased hair inspired by Parton’s signature look.
5. Nirvana reunites
The surviving members of Nirvana, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear, reunited at the VMAs to accept the Video Vanguard Award.
Nirvana made its VMAs debut more than 30 years ago. During the acceptance speech, Novoselic remembered the band’s late frontman Kurt Cobain, who died by suicide in 1994.
“Kurt was one of one,” Novoselic said, calling him one of the greatest artists of all time.
He also spoke about how Nirvana’s music continues to connect with audiences because of its honesty and authenticity. He added that Cobain would have appreciated the lasting impact of the band’s music.
6. LaLisa takes the spotlight
BLACKPINK’s Lisa had a big night at the VMAs. After becoming the first K-pop solo to win the award for Best Pop for “Dream”, Lisa also performed her new single ‘Sawadika’ for the first time on television.
The performance was packed with energy and included a choreographed fight sequence between Lisa and her backup dancers.
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7. Off screen and Off Campus
The VMAs also gave Off Campus fans something they had been waiting for: Answers.
Belmont Cameli and Ella Bright appeared together and addressed rumours about a reported feud between the two actors. The two recently starred in the Amazon Prime Video series, based on Elle Kennedy’s books of the same name. Their appearance offered some relief to fans who had been following the speculation surrounding their relationship.
“We would read and laugh it off,” said Bright, finally putting the speculation around their beef to rest.
8. A George Michael tribute
The VMAs also honour the late singer George Michael with a star-studded performance.
Sombr opened the tribute with Michael’s 1987 hits ‘Father Figure’ and ‘Faith’. He was followed by Raye, who performed a slower version of ‘I Knew You Were Waiting for Me’ (1986), Michael’s famous duet with Aretha Franklin.
Teddy Swims then took the stage with ‘Careless Whisper’ (1984).
The performances brought together the different styles of Michael’s music.
But it was Adam Lambert’s rendition of ‘Freedom! ’90’ (1990), that stole the show.
Lambert, who has performed with Queen for more than a decade, appeared in a leather jacket covered in studs and fringe before launching into the energetic performance.
He was later joined by British artists MNEK, Saint Harrison and Meek. Sombr, Raye and Teddy Swims also returned to the stage for the finale.
The performance ended with the entire group coming together to celebrate Michael’s music.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)