A Quick Recap Of The 2026 MTV VMAs

The 2026 MTV VMAs are history, and they were very focused on, well, history. Madonna opened the show alongside a cast of dozens (Sabrina Carpenter, Charli xcx, sombr, Seth Rogen, Julia Garner, Debi Mazar, etc.) and took home seven of the 11 awards she was up for, including Artist of the Year. There were tributes to Dolly Parton and George Michael, the latter of whom died almost a decade ago. Nirvana nabbed the Video Vanguard Award, and guitarist Pat Smear celebrated by lighting a cig.

Taylor Swift won the inaugural Artist Director Honors—the idea for which apparently came from “external” sources—and premiered her music video for “Patient Zero,” starring Dakota Johnson, Colin Farrell, and Taylor herself as characters in a psychological thriller with a surprise ending.

Snoop Dogg held down hosting duties and promised “sticky icky” to all the night’s winners. He also made a “Deez Nuts” joke for all the old heads. Still, there were some signs of younger music. Swedish rapper Yung Lean made his TV debut alongside French producer and DJ GENER8ION for a performance of “STORM II.” LISA cried while accepting her Moonman for Best Pop. SIENNA SPIRO sang “Great Expectation” and won Best New Artist.

Check out the full list of winners below.

Video of the Year
Taylor Swift, “The Fate of Ophelia”

Artist of the Year
Madonna

Song of the Year
BTS, “Swim”

Best New Artist
Winner: Sienna Spiro

Best Collaboration
Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter, “Bring Your Love”

Best Pop
LISA, “Dream featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi”

Best Hip-Hop
Cardi B featuring Kehlani, “Safe”

Best R&B
Bruno Mars, “I Just Might”

Best Alternative
Olivia Rodrigo, “the cure”

Best Dance
Madonna, “Confessions II – The Film”

Best Latin
Bad Bunny, “NUEVAYoL”

Best K-pop
BTS, “SWIM”

Best Country
Ella Langley, “Choosin’ Texas”

Best Direction
Taylor Swift, “Opalite”

Best Art Direction
PinkPantheress, “Stateside + Zara Larsson”

Best Cinematography
Madonna, “Confessions II – The Film”

Best Editing
Sabrina Carpenter, “House Tour”

Best Choreography
Madonna, “Confessions II – The Film”

Best Visual Effects
Ariana Grande, “hate that i made you love me”