Taylor Swift breaks VMA records; Madonna opens show, Dolly honored

MTV had a packed show for its 2026 VMA ceremony.

After a 20-minute delay due to the NFL, the show started hot, with Madonna telling the crowd, “It’s mother,” before singing “Bring Your Love” with Sabrina Carpenter.

But Taylor Swift broke records, becoming the most-awarded artist in awards show history. She and Beyoncé were tied with 30 VMAs each, but everyone knew Swift would take the title as she was given the first Artist Director Honors, which recognizes artists “whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling,” The Associated Press reported.

Swift has been part of making about 60 videos over her career, writing and directing about 18 of them.

She also took home Video of the Year at the VMAs for “The Fate of Ophelia,” dedicating the title to Dolly Parton, whom Swift called “the ultimate showgirl.”

Speaking of videos, Swift debuted the music video for “Patient Zero,” which she directed and stars Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson.

Madonna and Carpenter took home a Moon person statue of their own for best collaboration for “Bring Your Love.” Madonna also won the award for best dance, the AP reported.

Rolling Stone said it was Madonna’s first VMA performance in 23 years.

Along with Madonna, other performances included Raye, who performed a medley of “I Will Overcome” and “Where Is My Husband”; Bruno Mars performed “Dance With Me”; Shaboozey performed “Cowgirl,” while Gunna joined him for “High Noon.”

There were also plenty of tributes, with Kacey Musgraves belting out “I Will Always Love You” in honor of Dolly Parton, and Orville Peck introducing a tribute to George Michael.

Nirvana received the Video Vanguard Award, with the surviving members honoring Kurt Cobain; Krist Novoselic said, “Kurt was one of one,” the AP reported.

The show was hosted by 13-time VMA nominee Snoop Dogg.

Here is a list of all of the winners from Sunday night’s ceremony:

• VIDEO OF THE YEAR: Taylor Swift - “The Fate of Ophelia”
• ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Madonna
• BEST COLLABORATION: Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter - “Bring Your Love”
• BEST DANCE, presented by BACARDÍ Rum: Madonna - “Confessions II - The Film”
• BEST NEW ARTIST, presented by The General Insurance: Sienna Spiro
• BEST POP: LISA - “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi”
• SONG OF THE YEAR: BTS - “Swim”
• BEST HIP-HOP: Cardi B ft. Kehlani - “Safe”
• BEST R&B: Bruno Mars - “I Just Might”
• BEST ALTERNATIVE: Olivia Rodrigo - “the cure”
• 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”

SOCIAL CATEGORIES:

• BEST GROUP: BTS
• BEST LONG FORM VIDEO: Madonna - “Confessions II – The Film”
• BEST ALBUM: Madonna - “Confessions II”
• SONG OF SUMMER: Ariana Grande - “hate that i made you love me”

SPECIAL AWARDS:

• VIDEO VANGUARD: Nirvana
• MTV VMA ARTIST DIRECTOR HONORS: Taylor Swift

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