Madonna returned to the MTV VMAs stage for the first time in 23 years on Sunday, opening the show with a guest-heavy performance that brought out Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx. The pop icon sang duets with both stars, backed by dancers and cameos from Seth Rogen, Andrew Watt and Sombr.
The show faced a 20-minute delay due to the NFL game. Madonna began perched atop a piano as Carpenter played the keys. Dressed in a black waistcoat and knee-high boots, Madonna traded verses with Carpenter, who wore a glittery outfit and a beret. Madonna then descended the stairs, removed her coat and revealed a red-and-black corset. Dancers lifted her onto a table that rolled past a choir in the audience wearing white veils.
The stage then transformed into the bathroom setting from Madonna’s “Danceteria” music video. Charli xcx emerged from one of the stalls to the tune of the freshly released “Danceteria Afterhours” remix. Madonna followed, joined by actresses Debi Mazar and Julia Garner. The performance ended after two songs, with Charli declaring, “Make some noise for Madonna!”
A Long History at the Show
Madonna has been a fixture at the VMAs since its 1984 debut. Her iconic performance of “Like a Virgin” launched her career at the event. She followed with “Express Yourself” in 1989, “Vogue” in 1990, “Ray of Light” with Lenny Kravitz in 1998 and a joint appearance with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera during her last VMAs performance in 2003.
Her comeback performance this year was notable for its guests. Carpenter and Charli xcx each got a duet spot, while the cameo roster included Rogen, Watt and Sombr.
Nominations and the Album Behind It
Madonna led all artists in nominations for the 2026 VMAs, earning 13 nods. Taylor Swift followed with 11, Sabrina Carpenter with nine and Ariana Grande with eight.
The performance capped a busy stretch for Madonna. Her 15th album, “Confessions II,” was released in July, her first record in seven years. It reunites her with producer Stuart Price for 16 tracks that blend contemporary dance music with nods to her roots and backstory.
The album follows a pattern set by her 2005 record “Confessions on a Dance Floor.” The new release continues that story.
The Year’s Big Moments
Madonna debuted the lead single, “Bring Your Love,” during a surprise appearance at the second weekend of Carpenter’s headlining set at Coachella in April. Since then, she staged a rave at West Hollywood’s Abbey and a Grindr performance at New York City’s Times Square.
The VMAs performance was not her only recent highlight. Days before the show, VMAs producer Van Toffler spoke with Variety about bringing Madonna back to the stage. “Well, look, we can deny it as much as we want, but Madonna is the M in MTV,” he said. “I knew it the day I started there. She is the queen of MTV. She makes great videos. She’s provocative. She always pushed us, and this year’s performance will be no exception.”
What the Performance Delivered
The opening number worked because Madonna used the space around her. Carpenter’s piano playing opened the show, then Madonna’s costume change turned it into a spectacle. The “Danceteria” set gave the performance a visual anchor, and the cameos kept the energy moving.
Here is how her previous appearances at the VMAs have been spaced over time:
- “Like a Virgin” (1984 debut)
- “Express Yourself” (1989)
- “Vogue” (1990)
- “Ray of Light” with Lenny Kravitz (1998)
- Joint appearance with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera (2003)
Madonna’s return was a spectacle of duets, cameos and costume changes, capped by a performance in the style of her old work.
Source material: “Madonna Opens MTV Video Music Awards With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx, Plus Sombr, Debi Mazar and More,” Variety.
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