Key Points
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Madonna reunited with ex-boyfriend, model and “Justify My Love” music video star Tony Ward, on stage at the 2026 MTV VMAs.
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Ward starred in the music video, which MTV banned for its sexually charged content.
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The model appeared in a brief segment during Madonna’s 2026 performance of “Danceteria” with Charli XCX.
In the spirit of expressing herself (and not repressing herself), pop queen Madonna gave a cheeky nod at Sunday’s VMAs to MTV previously banning her 1990 “Justify My Love” music video.
Midway through her star-studded opening set at the awards show‘s 2026 edition, the Confessions II singer-songwriter brought out ex-boyfriend and model Tony Ward, who starred in her “Justify My Love” music video that was previously prohibited from airing on the network due to its sexually charged content.
While performing the Confessions II single “Danceteria” with pop star Charli XCX (who’s featured on a remix of the tune), Madonna made her way over toward a set of urinals located in front of a mock row of bathroom stalls.
She then tapped one of four people standing in front of the urinals on the butt, with the man in question turning around to reveal himself as Ward, whom Madonna dated in the early ’90s.
The pair lightly interacted before Madonna continued on with the set, which also included cameos from longtime friend Debi Mazar (whose name she references in the “Danceteria” lyrics), singer Sombr, Madonna’s upcomingThe Studioseason 2 costar Seth Rogen, and Julia Garner, who was set to play Madonna in a since-delayed biopic.
Earlier during the performance, Madonna launched the set with Sabrina Carpenter, whose vocals appear on Confessions II‘s lead single “Bring Your Love.”
The network earlier made the decision to ban the “Justify My Love” music video from its airwaves in November 1990, though the Immaculate Collectionsingle still garnered worldwide success and rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Madonna would go on to perform at the show in subsequent years, including now-famous renditions — like her iconic 2003 VMAs performance where she kissed Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera on the lips live on air.
Madonna’s performance on Sunday led a huge night for the 68-year-old icon, who entered the evening as the most-nominated artist of the night. Her Confessions II: The Filmproject earned the entertainer 13 nominations at the ceremony, more than any other artist this year.
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Whileshelost Video of the Year to Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia,” Madonna earned the most VMAs of the night, with seven statuettes — including one for Artist of the Year.
Watch Madonna and Ward in the “Justify My Love” music video above.
Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
