Madonna Makes VMAs Return After 23 Years With Star-Studded Opening

Madonna made a dramatic return to the MTV Video Music Awards stage on Sunday night, headlining the 2026 ceremony with a high-energy performance featuring Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx. The pop icon’s appearance marked her first VMA performance in 23 years, concluding a long wait caused by a delay in the broadcast due to the Baltimore Ravens-Dallas Cowboys game.

The opening set began with “Bring Your Love,” a house-pop collaboration from Madonna’s latest album, “Confessions II.” Carpenter joined the legend on stage for the track, igniting the crowd before Charli xcx made a surprise entrance to perform her remix of Madonna’s classic hit “Danceteria.” The performance also included cameo appearances from actors Seth Rogen, Sombr, and Julia Garner, the latter of whom had previously been linked to portraying Madonna in an upcoming biopic.

This marks a significant milestone for Madonna, who has historically delivered some of the awards show’s most iconic moments. The 2026 VMAs, hosted by Snoop Dogg, represent the ceremony’s return to the West Coast for the first time in nearly a decade. Red carpet highlights included Taylor Swift, who arrived shortly before the show to premiere her video for “Patient Zero.”