The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards tapped one of the most legendary stars – Madonna – to open its 2026 soiree, but plenty of upstarts were on the performance docket.
From K-pop (Lisa of Blackpink) to hip-hop (Gunna) to Brit-pop (Raye), this year’s show generated its usual array of genre-hopping that has defined MTV.
Broadcast live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles Sept. 27 – the first time the show has been held out west since 2017 – the 42nd VMAs also looked to another veteran, the inimitable Snoop Dogg, to host.
While Madonna led the nominations with 11, followed by Taylor Swift (nine) and Ariana Grandeand Sabrina Carpenter (seven each), the spotlight moments came with tributes to Video Vanguard honoree Nirvanaas well as the late Dolly Parton
and George Michael.
This year also boasted a new award – the MTV VMA Artist Director Honors – bestowed upon Taylor Swift, who used the platform to premiere her new video for “Patient Zero” starring Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell.
But as for performances, here’s a brutally honest look at how each fared.
Raye
The exquisite British songstress made her VMAs performance debut surrounded by a cadre of violin players as she belted bits of “I Will Overcome” while clad in a long, white fur coat.
But within moments, the outerwear dropped to spotlight a Raye clad in a clingy red dress – and her usual bare feet – surrounded by her fantastic big band, all matching the crimson stage and lighting.
Flanked by her two wingwomen, Raye burst into her breakthrough smash, “Where is My Husband!,” the trio wagging ring fingers and slaying with vocals both potent and charismatic. The rendition of the song purposely slowed in bits to enhance the drama of the always captivating Raye.
Madonna
MTV icon Madonna opened her eight-minute performance by proclaiming, “It’s mother…” before bouncing into a “Confessions II”-heavy set filled with smoke, lasers, a gospel choir and many celebrity guests.
Madonna emerged atop a piano being played by Sabrina Carpenter, her partner on hit “Bring Your Love.” The pair scampered through the song – Madonna flinging her long blond hair, Carpenter in a signature glitter-shorts outfit – before Madonna unveiled her own red ensemble as she writhed on a table that encircled a gospel choir for reasons not entirely clear.
But Carpenter wasn’t the only pop starlet Madonna invited to the party.
Charlie XCX, tossing a cigarette as she strode out in sunglasses and fishnets, sashayed with Madonna through a “Danceteria” filled with nods to Madonna’s history – and a “was that Seth Rogen?” cameo (yes, it was). From the bathroom hand dryer (hi, “Desperately Seeking Susan”) to a platform of dancers dressed as Madonna through her numerous incarnations, the nods were obvious and fun, particularly the snippet of Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” – a fitting wink to Madonna’s mirror ball ode to New York City.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brutally honest reviews of every VMAs performance, including Madonna and Raye
