VMAs 2026 LIVE: All the action as Madonna returns and Taylor Swift makes history

Following an action-packed few hours, the 2026 Video Music Awards have come to an end – but fear not, as we will be following all the stars like a hawk and update you with any wild after-party antics.

Catch every single moment that happened on the night below - and want to see what everyone wore? Check out our full gallery here.

Straight off being honoured for her direction and debuting a brand-new music video, Taylor Swift has walked away with Video of the Year for The Fate of Ophelia.

That’s her record-breaking sixth Video of the Year!

“Thank you so much for giving this award to this video, because I’m so proud of it,” she said, thanking her fans for voting.

After praising the video’s choreographer, set designer and cinematographer, she took the time to honour one person in particular: the late, great, Dolly Parton.

“I want to thank and dedicate this award to one person, without whom this wouldn’t be happening. That person is the ultimate showgirl, Dolly Parton,” she said, becoming emotional.

“Every single song that she wrote, her storytelling was so vivid and so rich, it was like watching the best music video you have ever seen in your life.”

She looked emotional as she reflected on Dolly’s legacy, which attracted huge cheers from the crowd.

“She handled this thing with such grace and joy and love and gratitude for the fact that she got to do this,” she said.

“And everything that happened to her in life or her career, she channelled back into love, and gratitude and appreciation for her fans.

“I am lucky I got to be one of them and I will always be one of them. I love you all so very much, and I think we were all very lucky to share this planet with Dolly Parton for a time.”

English singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro was almost speechless after taking out the best new artist nod.

The 21-year-old has had a massive year.

After her breakout hitDie on This Hill, she released her debut album, Visitor, in July, which landed at No. 2 in the UK and #3 in Australia.

Well deserved!

George Michael has been celebrated by musicians including Sombr, RAYE, Adam Lambert and Teddy Swims.

And what a time to honour him!

It’s been almost 10 years since George’s death, and in November, a restored concert film, George Michael: The Faith Tour will hit cinemas.

Next year will also mark the 40th anniversary of his solo debut album, Faith.

From Father Figure toCareless Whisper to Faith to Freedom, he had HITS!

What a legend!

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.

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.

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!)

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...

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.”

The Video Vanguard Award is all about honouring legends, and who better than 90s icons Nirvana?

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”.

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.