The Best, Worst and Most Oops Moments of the 2026 MTV VMAs

Taylor Swift, Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter and more pop stars made the 2026 MTV VMAs one to remember.

The Sept. 27 awards show started at a 10 with the legend herself, Madonna. A top-notch roster of performances, including Kacey Musgraves’s Dolly Parton tribute and Lisa’s live debut performance of “Sawadika,” kept the energy high throughout the rest of the night.

The VMAs have a history of keeping us on our toes, so we stayed on the lookout for the most memorable, the most surprising and the goofiest moments to recap it all for you. Ahead, relive the best, worst and most oops moments from the 2026 VMAs.

Worst Delay

Because the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys game ran late, CBS’s broadcast of the VMAs was delayed by more than 15 minutes, so viewers at home could not watch the ceremony live. To that we say, “Who cares about football? We are missing Madonna!”

Most Unrecognizable: Blond Brandon Sklenar

Brandon Sklenar stepped out with bleach-blond hair and a fresh cut to introduce Gener8ion and Yung Lean’s performance, and we had to do a double take to recognize The Housemaid heartthrob.

Best in the Business: Madonna

The Queen of Pop has nothing left to prove, but she continues to show why she’s still at the top of her game nearly 50 years into her career. Madonna kicked off the show with a dynamic, star-studded performance of “Bring Your Love” and “Danceteria Afterhours” featuring Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx. She also had numerous celebrity cameos on stage, including Seth Rogen, Julia Garner and Sombr.

Sabrina, Madonna, the VMAs have got something they’re going to want to talk about for a long time.

Best Vocals of the Night

It goes without saying that RAYE will always bring the house down with a live performance, but she never ceases to amaze with creative arrangements of her hit “Where Is My Husband!” Opening with the moving “I Will Overcome,” she transitioned into a red-hot rendition of “Husband” with an interpolation of “Funkytown” and a brand-new voicemail from her grandmother in the bridge.

“I know you have been promoting this song for a long time, but be patient my granddaughter,” her grandma said. “Your husband is coming.” We hope that when her husband comes, we’ll still get more rousing performances of the song.

Oops, We’re Crying Now: Kacey Musgraves’s Dolly Parton Tribute

The world is still mourning the loss of the great Dolly Parton, who died at age 80 on Aug. 25, so it was hard to hold back tears during Kacey Musgraves’ heartfelt cover of “I Will Always Love You.”

Best Quick Change in Every Way: Lisa

During her acceptance speech after winning Best Pop for “Dream,” Lisa became emotional over the victory — but there were no signs of tears when she burned up the stage performing her latest single “Sawadika.”

Oops: Pat Smear’s Onstage Smoke Break

Former Nirvana bandmates Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear reunited to accept the coveted Video Vanguard Award along with a plus-one: Smear’s cigarette. The guitarist even took a puff as Novoselic spoke.

Worst Manager: The One Who Told Madonna Her Career ‘Was Over’

In her acceptance speech for her first Artist of the Year award, the pop star recalled performing at the inaugural VMAs in 1984 and experiencing a wardrobe malfunction on stage. She explained how one of her stilettos fell off, and she dove onto the stage to try and look “cute and sexy,” but her butt cheek fell out of her outfit.

“In those days, butt cheeks were not hanging out,” said Madonna. “I just want to remind you. And I went backstage feeling really proud of myself, and my manager told me that my career was over.”

Needless to say, that manager is no longer her current one.

Best Plot Twist: ‘Patient Zero’

Taylor Swift premiered the music video for her new single “Patient Zero,” starring close pal Dakota Johnson — who presented her the Artist Director honor — and Colin Farrell. Spoiler alert: In the bone-chilling last minute of the video, Swift is revealed to be the ghost of Farrell’s late ex-wife, warning Johnson of her partner’s toxicity.

Oops, What’s This Award For?: Madonna Wins Best Dance

Madonna’s speech for the Best Dance video award contained several “oops,” starting with the singer admitting that she was “kind of unclear what this award is for.” (It was for her Confessions II short film.) She then pulled a laser out as a callback to her opening performance, in which dancers had laser beams coming from their butts.

“You guys didn’t get my joke, did you, about the laser up my ass. It was up here all night, and then I took it out,” she explained.

11of 12

Best Bunch: Sombr, RAYE, Teddy Swims and Adam Lambert

Sombr began the tribute to George Michael with pitch-perfect takes on “Faith” and “Father Figure.” The “Back to Friends” singer sounded impressive next to notable vocal powerhouses like RAYE, Teddy Swims and Adam Lambert, who sang “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” “Careless Whisper” and “Freedom! 90.”

12of 12

Best Visual Delight: Gener8ion and Yung Lean

The final live performance saw Yung Lean and a troop of dancers dressed as schoolboys mesmerizing the crowd with a recreation of the “Storm II” video, which was also nominated for Video of the Year at the ceremony. As the rapper enjoyed ice cream in the middle of the pack, the dancers moved in unison around him.