Madonna Sets Record as Fifth-Time VMAs Opener, Reunites With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX
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Madonna opened the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards alongside Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX, setting a new record for the most times opening the ceremony. The appearance marked her return to the VMAs after 23 years and brought her music to an audience that included Taylor Swift and other stars.
It was Madonna’s fifth time opening the show, surpassing Rihanna, who had done so four times. Madonna also led this year’s nominations after releasing *Confessions II*, her first studio album in seven years; it reached No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 and US Top Dance Albums charts, as well as charts in several other countries.
- Madonna opened the VMAs for a record fifth time.
- She reunited on stage with Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX.
- Her latest album topped charts in the US and abroad.
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The MTV Video Music Awards is one of the world's biggest pop music celebrations, held annually since 1984 to honour music videos and performances. Madonna is one of pop music's most influential artists, known for constantly reinventing herself since the 1980s and for creating some of the most talked-about performances in entertainment history. Her appearances at the VMAs have often been among the ceremony's most memorable moments.
Madonna performed as the opening act at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, marking her first appearance at the ceremony in over two decades. She collaborated with younger singers Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX, delivering performances that included a duet on piano and a remix featuring appearances from various actors and musicians. The performance demonstrated her continued ability to connect with contemporary artists and audiences.
By opening the show for the fifth time, Madonna surpassed Rihanna's previous record of four opening performances. This milestone reflects both her lasting influence in the music industry and her relevance across different generations of pop fans and performers.
Full account
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards opened with a significant moment as Madonna returned to the VMAs stage for the first time in over two decades. Performing on 27 September at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles under Snoop Dogg's hosting, the pop icon reunited with contemporary artists Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX for a performance spanning two compositions, establishing an intergenerational artistic moment that dominated the evening's opening.
The performance began with "Bring Your Love," featuring a striking visual arrangement where Carpenter occupied a grand piano whilst Madonna positioned herself above, the two later transitioning into synchronised choreography. A backing choir dressed in white ecclesiastical garments provided vocal accompaniment from a mobile stage platform that conveyed Madonna across the performance space. The second segment presented "Danceteria Afterhours," a collaboration with XCX, staged within a set design referencing a renowned New York nightclub's bathroom aesthetics, complete with graffiti detailing, and featuring appearances from multiple entertainment industry figures.
Madonna's latest album project, Confessions II, released in July following a seven-year interval since her previous studio work, generated substantial commercial success. The album topped the Billboard 200 and achieved leadership within dance music categories whilst charting prominently across the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, and Australia. The album's accompanying extended visual film contributed to a nomination tally ranging between eleven and thirteen awards across various categories including video of the year and artist of the year, though accounts conflict on the precise figure. Notably, Madonna's performance constituted her fifth occasion opening the VMAs, surpassing Rihanna's previous record of four performances.
Madonna and Carpenter jointly received the best collaboration award, at which point Madonna recounted their partnership's genesis through an acceptance speech. She described contacting Carpenter through private messaging after an initial period of waiting, subsequently resulting in their studio collaboration. Carpenter reciprocated with lighthearted commentary regarding her team's communication responsiveness. The appearance carried historical resonance: Madonna had performed at the inaugural 1984 VMAs and remained notable for her 2003 performance involving onstage physical contact with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, making her 2026 return a marker of continuity within popular music's evolving landscape.
Where outlets differ
Nomination count discrepancy: sources report either 11 or 13 nominations, with one source specifying expanded categories including Best Dance (which returned after absence since 2019)
Celebrity guest appearances during 'Danceteria Afterhours': one source provides specific names (Julia Garner, Seth Rogen, Debi Mazar, Andrew Watt, Tony Ward, Fab 5 Freddie, Sombr) whilst others omit these details
One source reports Lisa's win for best pop; this detail appears in limited coverage only
Career retrospective emphasis: one source prioritises Madonna's five-decade achievements and economic milestones; others concentrate primarily on the 2026 event specifics
Record contexts mentioned inconsistently: Taylor Swift's potential VMA award tally and competitive records referenced differently across sources
Coverage
- The Hollywood Reporter — Madonna Opens 2026 VMAs With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX
- Rolling Stone — Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX Team Up for Star-Studded MTV VMAs Opener
- American Songwriter — 23 Years Later, Madonna Reminds Everyone Why She’s the Queen of Pop With a History-Making VMAs Performance
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