VMAs 2026 LIVE: All the action as Madonna returns and Taylor Swift makes history
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Welcome to the MTV VMAs 2026 live blog
It’s VMA day!
Yes, that’s right, music is back on MTV and we’ll be with you as the industry’s biggest names hit the red carpet and beyond.
Madonna has already returned to the VMA stage for the first time in more than two decades, while Taylor Swift is set to debut her Patient Zero music video and make history as the first-ever recipient of the Artist Director Honors.
Plus, prepare your tissues now, because Kasey Musgraves will lead a tribute to the legendary Dolly Parton.
The show kicked off at 9.30am AEST - see all the action from the night as it happens below.
Madonna’s acceptance speeches are getting pretty wild
Madonna took to the stage to accept the award for Best Dance, though she didn't have a clue why she was up there.
"I'm unclear what this is for, is it short film?" the queen of pop said to Charli xcx and Troye Sivan.
She then made a crude joke about "having a laser up my ass" that didn't quite land.
But WHO CARES. It's MADONNA. She can say whatever the hell she wants.
Taylor Swift ‘murdered’ in latest music video
Judging from the gasps and commentary from everyone in the nine.com.au office during Patient Zero, Taylor Swift’s newest video has done its job!
After its release on Friday, the singer explained the song was inspired by a friend saying an ex’s latest girlfriend had reached out to her.
The music video takes that idea and makes it very dark, following Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell’s unravelling relationship – with the ghost of his former lover (that’s Taylor!) haunting it all.
Turns out, yes, she’s actually dead … and Dakota’s character may be soon too.
Taylor Swift accepts the first-ever MTV Artist Director Award
Dakota Johnson is here with a very special job: presenting the first MTV Artist Director Honour to her pal, Taylor Swift.
Since releasing The Man in 2019, Taylor’s directed all her music videos and will today premiere another forPatient Zero – starring Dakota (and Colin Farrell!)
She’s a directorrrr. AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
Dakota praised Taylor as “a storyteller”.
She is an architect of emotional landscapes filled with the most intimate and intricate detail. She captures universal feelings with a style and endowment that is entirely and singularly her own,” she said.
“She does it in her writing, her performing, and her work behind the camera as a director.”
Taylor began her acceptance speech by thanking MTV for giving music videos a platform – including about 60 of her own!
She then thanked the fans and expertly threw to her video...
Madonna’s mic-drop moment as she takes out Artist of the Year
Spice Girl alert! All awards shows should be required to have a Spice Girl in attendance, in my opinion.
Luckily, the VMAs wrangled Emma Bunton, Baby Spice, to join Rachel Dratch to present Artist of the Year to … Madonna!
“First of all I would like to thank my fingers, because I can always count on them,” she joked as she accepted the Moonman.
Madonna reflected on performing at the first VMAs ever, 43 years ago.
“I had a little problem with my shoes, one of my stilettos fell off and I dove onto the stage to make myself cute and sexy like I meant to do it,” she said.
“In those days, butt cheeks were not hanging out! My manager told me my career was over. That is the truth. Not my manager now…
“Seriously, I really want you to know that I spent the last year and a half finding myself, believing in myself and really making the music that I wanted to make.”
Nirvana receive MTV’s highest honour
The Video Vanguard Award is all about honouring legends, and who better than 90s icons Nirvana?
A cigarette in hand to accept a lifetime achievement award. Kinda iconic. AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
Drummer Dave Grohl and bassist Krist Novoselic were joined by touring guitarist (and Foo Fighters member) Pat Smear to accept the honour.
Of course, they paid their respects to late singer Kurt Cobain.
“Kurt was one of one,” Novoselic said, saying the grunge hero would’ve loved the band’s enduring legacy of authenticity and “come as you are”.
Madonna takes sly dig at Sabrina in front of millions
After dazzling the crowd with their performance, Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter’s Bring Your Love has taken out Best Collab!
The Queen of Pop let the audience in on how the collab came to be, revealing that she reached out to Sabrina’s team but when she didn’t hear back she had to take things into her own hands.
“Everyone knows how impatient I am, and when five days passed and I still didn’t get connected with Sabrina and didn’t hear back from her about whether she wanted to do a song with me, I DM’d her,” Madonna said.
Sabrina seemed VERY shocked by the honesty.
She clarified shortly after that her team do, in fact, reply to messages. And thankfully, so does she!
Just iconic behaviour from a couple of icons, really.
Shaboozey brings the Wild West to LA
After a somber moment (not to be confused with a Sombr moment, which I’m sure is coming later), Shaboozey has brought the energy up with an elaborate Western set.
A full saloon set! Kevin Winter/Getty
Dolly Parton tribute brings the room the tears
A month on from Dolly Parton’s death, the VMAs pay tribute to the country music legend with a very emotional rendition of I Will Always Love You from Kacey Musgraves.
RIP, Dolly!
Bruno Mars performs - sort of
We’re not long into the awards but why not give everyone in the room a break, hey?
The show has dialled in to Bruno Mars’ current tour to watch him perform Dance With Me in front of his stadium audience.
It’s schmaltzy and has a guitar solo. Sure, why not?
Raye takes her search for a husband to the VMA stage
Our next performance is from British rising star Raye and HOLY VOCALS.
She began with a stripped down version of I Will Overcome before launching into the main event, Where Is My Husband!
Deeply respect her husband-hunting on the world’s biggest stages. Kevin Winter/Getty
A fun performance for a very fun song!
