Music’s most iconic night began with an incredible launch.
Before hostSnoop Doggkicked off the2026 MTV Video Music Awardsand the coveted Moon Person trophies were bestowed, many of the night’s stars proved their fashion on the red carpet is out of this world.
After all, Taylor Swift kept it sleek and stunning in a halter dress with a black bodice and a dazzling silver skirtdraped around her waist.
For her part, Teyana Taylor wore a black diamond-encrusted gown with feathered trim and an exposed torso.
Meanwhile, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Lisa Rinna donned a ceramic plated bodice piece and white skirt by fashion designer SEKS and wore a white wig to match.
Of course, nominees, performers and more lighting up the red carpet is just part of the excitement in store at this year’s VMAs with such an A-list lineup of musicians set to perform.
Indeed,Madonna—who leds the night’s nominees with 11 nominations—returned the VMAs stage for the first time in 23 years to open the show with a medley of hits from her latest albumConfessions II. (Click here to see the full list of the night’s winners.)
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MTV VMAs 2026: Complete Winners List
Plus, the “Like a Virgin” singer’s fellow Best Cinematography and Best Editing nomineeLISAfromBlackpinkmade the stage a moonlit floor while performing the TV debut of her new track “SaWaDika.”
Meanwhile, Best New Artist winnerSienna Spiro—who was nominated alongsideBella Kay,CORTIS,Magnus Ferrell,Malcolm Todd,Myles SmithandStella Lefty—made her VMA performance debut, too.
Beyond what was a night of unforgettable music, this year’s VMAs made history in new ways as Swift—who has previously won four Moon Persons for Best Direction, including for “All Too Well: The Short Film” in 2022—received the first-ever Artist Director Honors.
The new honor was designed to recognize “groundbreaking music artists whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling,” according to a Sept. 21press releasefrom MTV and CBS.
To see who else showed up and showed out at the 2026 VMAs, keep scrolling…
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