Despite highlighting industry legends to pathetic plants, the 2026 VMAs were a shell of former glory.
Despite highlighting industry legends to pathetic plants, the 2026 VMAs were a shell of former glory.
In the past, the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) have been known for their iconic — and mostly unplanned — live moments, like Britney Spears performing with a live python, Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech and even Madonna kissing Spears and Christina Aguilera.
But this year, the event felt lackluster.
That isn’t to say there weren’t good things to come out of this year’s show, but nothing was iconic enough to leave a lasting impact on pop culture.
The Good:
Madonna Comes Full Circle
After 23 years since her last VMAs performance, Madonna still knows how to get the people talking. Despite criticism about her age, the widely regarded Queen of Pop opened the show, proving age doesn’t define how hard she can party.
“She ain’t a virgin no more,” Snoop Dogg, host of the evening, said, referencing Madonna’s scandalous performance of “Like a Virgin” at the first VMAs in 1984.
Madonna has come a long way since then, performing both “Bring Your Love” with Sabrina Carpenter and “Danceteria Afterhours” with Charli xcx. During the performance, the audience was taken to a club bathroom setting, where Julia Garner, Seth Rogen, Debi Mazar and even Sombr made an appearance.
The performance itself was both energetic and filled with flashy visuals, lasers and — of course — lots of dancing.
Kacey Musgraves Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton
There was no one better to pay tribute to the Queen of Country Music than country princess Kacey Musgraves. She performed “I Will Always Love You” alongside several clips of Parton speaking to the audience, adding a sentimental connection to the performance.
Not only did Musgraves look stunning in her rhinestoned pink dress, but she delivered powerful vocals that made the performance deeply emotional, pulling off a tasteful ode to the great Parton.
The Bad:
The Flopping Fashion
Fashion has become an integral part of VMAs history, giving us legendary looks such as Lady Gaga’s 2010 meat dress, Lil Kim’s 1999 purple one-sleeved jumpsuit and Madonna’s 1984 bridal white “boy toy” dress.
However, this year the looks were severely lacking.
Did all the artists tell their stylists “I want to wear something humble that no one will ever remember?”
Some poorly dressed artists include Raye, wearing yet another old-hollywood inspired dress — what’s new?
Her name is Pinkpantheress, and she’s really glad to be wearing a boring outfit. The polka-dot gown she came dressed in was so bland, it should be illegal.
Straight out of the shower, its indie-pop artist MEEK dressed as a loofa!
In recent years, fashion among artists has become less about making a statement and more about playing it safe. Unfortunately, pop culture can’t keep on relying on modern-day stars like Doja Cat, Chappell Roan and Doechii to keep fashion exciting — couture needs to be fun again.
Madonna Causes a Commotion
Accepting her first award of the night for Best Collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter, the “Material Girl” awkwardly called out Carpenter’s team for their slow response to the collaboration request. The bold remark left the “Short n’ Sweet” star looking shocked and a little embarrassed as she uncomfortably laughed it off.
Accepting her third Moon Person of the night for Best Dance, Madonna once again stumbled onto the stage with seemingly no speech prepared. The moment was worsened by a cringe-worthy joke where the singer pulled a laser out of her rear, stating she “had it in here all night.”
Madonna then forced presenters Charli xcx and Troye Sivan to stand next to her, rambling on about what the award even was for.
The Mid:
Snoop is in the Dog House
With the VMAs returning to California for the first time since 2017, it’s only fitting a West Coast icon like Snoop Dogg hosts.
The rapper wasn’t necessarily a bad host, he was just, there. He kept the show moving along as every host should, sprinkling in the occasional joke. It just wasn’t a memorable hosting performance.
Best New Artist
This year’s Best New Artist category was decent to say the most. Bella Kay, CORTIS and Sienna Spiro had the top three votes, with Spiro ultimately taking the win. The rising jazz-pop star deserved it after her breathtaking performance of “Great Expectation.”
Although the nominees were all talented, this year’s competition didn’t feel as intense as it normally does, lacking the excitement and anticipation it once had in previous years.
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