The woman responsible for two of the most indelible moments MTV Video Music Awards History returned with its usual grand nature.
mother of jesus She kicked off the 2026 VMAs by announcing, “This is Mom…” before breaking into an eight-minute performance jam-packed with guest appearances.
From a blur of smoke, lasers and burning bodies, Madonna emerged above a piano being played sabrina carpenterHis partner in the hit “bring your love”
The pair rocked out to the song – Madonna with her long blonde hair flowing, Carpenter in a signature glitter-shorts outfit – before Madonna unveiled her own red ensemble as she sat at a table that surrounded a gospel choir.
But the guest shots weren’t over.
Charli From bathroom hand dryers (hi, “Desperately Seeking Susan”) to a stage of dancers dressed through Madonna’s many incarnations, the nods were obvious and fun, especially a snippet of Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” — a fitting wink to Madonna’s Mirror Ball song for New York City.
Madonna and Charli XCX at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on September 27, 2026.
In July, Madonna, 68, released “Confessions II,” the highly anticipated sequel to her 2005 hit album, “Confessions on a Dance Floor.”
Madonna’s performance at the September 27 show was her first live VMAs performance in 23 years – the last time she performed together was in 2003. very strong kiss With Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera during a mashup of “Like a Virgin” and “Hollywood”.
But Madonna’s connection to VMA fame is linked to her “Like a Virgin” pageant went down in pop culture history with a provocative, wedding-dress-clad performance during the inaugural show in 1984.
Since then, the iconic singer has been attached to the VMAs several times, including being named the first solo female artist to receive a Video Vanguard Award in 1986.
His career connections to the show also include his high-profile early appearances “express yourself” In 1989; A wide, 18th-Shatabdi inspired production “Vogue” in 1990; And her 1993 top hat-and-tails performance was inspired by Marlene Dietrich’s 1930 film “Morocco.” “bye Bye Baby.”
Madonna is also a lead nominee for the 2026 VMAs Career highest 11 nodsIncluding Video of the Year (“Confessions II – The Film”), Artist of the Year and Song of the Year (“Bring your love,” with sabrina carpenter). This is the third time she has led the nomination field, having received nine in 1990 for “Vogue” and 1998 for “Ray of Light” and “Frozen.”
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Madonna opens MTV VMAs with provocative performance and celebrity cameo