The Queen of Pop returned to the MTV VMAs stage for the first time since 2003
Credit: CBS
NEED TO KNOW
- Madonna returned to the 2026 VMAs stage in a look that put a sultry spin on menswear, featuring an unfastened blazer and a red-hot bustier
- She surprised the crowd with a star-studded show, including cameos from Sabrina Carpenter, Charli xcx and more
- The performance marked her first at the ceremony since 2003
Madonna has returned to the 2026 MTV VMAs stage the only way she knows how — in style.
The Queen of Pop, 68, put a sultry spin on menswear when she hit the stage to open the awards ceremony, pairing an oversized black blazer with a bold bustier, high-waisted shorts and thigh-high boots for her star-studded performance.
Madonna styled her belted, long-sleeve blazer over a red bustier that peeked through her unfastened top. She paired it with statement black boots for the show, which featured a medley of songs from her latest album, Confessions II.
Credit: CBS
Madonna opened the 2026 VMAs with her first live performance at the show in 23 years.
Sabrina Carpenter joined Madonna for their hit collaboration “Bring Your Love,” while Charli xcx then took the stage for the debut performance of her and Madonna’s new “Danceteria Afterhours” remix.
The opening performance, a partial recreation of the Confessions II short film, also featured cameos from Madonna’s longtime friend Debi Mazar, actress Julia Garner, Sombr, Andrew Watt, Seth Rogen and more.
Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty
Her last appearance as a live performer at the VMAs came in 2003, when she opened the show alongside Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliott. The performance featured a medley of “Hollywood,” “Like a Virgin,” and “Passenger,” as well as Madonna’s now-famous onstage kisses with Spears, 44, and Aguilera, 45.
At this year’s VMAs, Madonna leads all artists with 11 nominations, including Artist of the Year, Video of the Year for Confessions II – The Film, and Song of the Year for “Bring Your Love” with Sabrina Carpenter.
She enters the ceremony looking to add to her 19 competitive VMA wins.
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Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty
Madonna took the stage at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards in 1984 for a performance of “Like a Virgin.” Emerging from a giant wedding cake in a wedding dress and her now-famous “Boy Toy” belt, she delivered a performance that became one of the defining moments of the show.
In 1986, she became the first solo female artist to receive the prestigious Video Vanguard Award.
Madonna returned with another memorable performance in 1989, opening the show with a rendition of “Express Yourself.” A year later, she delivered her acclaimed Marie Antoinette-inspired staging of “Vogue.” She followed that with the gender-bending “Bye Bye Baby” performance in 1993 before her most recent VMA performance in 2003.
Hosted by Snoop Dogg, the 2026 VMAs are airing live from Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET (4:30 to 6:30 p.m. PT) on CBS, with a simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. The show will be available globally on Paramount+ and MTV the following day.
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