The 42nd MTV Video Music Awards ceremony is taking place this evening, hosted by Snoop Dogg from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The event celebrates the year's best music videos with high-profile performances from Madonna, Kacey Musgraves, Lisa and others, plus special tributes to the late Dolly Parton and marking 40 years since George Michael's solo album "Faith". The awards will honour Nirvana with the Video Vanguard Award and introduce a new award for Taylor Swift as the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director.

Madonna leads this year's nominations with 13 nominations, equalling Lady Gaga's 2010 record for most nominations in a single year. Taylor Swift follows with 11 nominations, Sabrina Carpenter with 9, and Ariana Grande with 8. The ceremony airs live on CBS and MTV on 27 September from 7:30–9:30pm ET (4:30–6:30pm PT), with streaming available on Paramount+ Premium in the United States. The show will be made available globally via Paramount+ and MTV the following day. Madonna will make her return to the VMAs stage for the first time in 23 years, opening the show with songs from her album "Confessions II".