2026 MTV VMAs highlights include Madonna, Taylor Swift

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards wowed audiences on Sunday night as Madonna brought out high-energy dance numbers and Taylor Swift made history.Here are the highlights from the 2026 VMAs.Madonna performs with Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCXMadonna took the VMAs stage at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, her first time performing at the award show in over 20 years, announcing: "It's mother."She opened the show with newly iconic imagery from her recent album, "Confessions II," including green lasers and hordes of cameras following her and Sabrina Carpenter around.The two performed "Bring Your Love" together, which later won the Best Collaboration award, before Madonna transitioned into another dance-fueled club number, "Danceteria," with Charli XCX.

The performance featured appearances from several stars who had cameos in "Confessions II — The Film," including Debi Mazar and Julia Garner.Madonna later took home Artist of the Year.Kacey Musgraves pays tribute to Dolly PartonKacey Musgraves paid tribute to Dolly Parton on Sunday after the VMAs played a short video of the late country music superstar. Musgraves sang "I Will Always Love You," a song Parton released in 1974 that took on a second life when it was later recorded by the late Whitney Houston.Parton, one of the most groundbreaking and successful musicians in the history of country music, died last month after a brief battle