Madonna Opens 2026 VMAs With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX
Madonna returned to the VMAs stage for the first time in 23 years to open the 2026 ceremony. She performed “Bring Your Love” with Sabrina Carpenter and later brought out Charli XCX for “Danceteria Afterhours,” with cameos from Julia Garner, Debi Mazar, Sombr, and Seth Rogen. Madonna and Carpenter won Best Collaboration, and Madonna led the night with 13 nominations.
Madonna’s appearance marked her first VMAs performance in 23 years. She opened with Sabrina Carpenter on “Bring Your Love,” backed by dancers styled as steadicam operators. Charli XCX later emerged from a bathroom stall for “Danceteria Afterhours,” a newly released remix. Julia Garner, Debi Mazar, Sombr, and Seth Rogen also appeared.
Madonna and Carpenter won Best Collaboration. Madonna said she messaged Carpenter after waiting five days, and they recorded within weeks. Madonna led the night with 13 nominations, including Video, Artist, Song, and Album categories, tied to Confessions II. She had previously topped nominations in 1998 and 1990.
Madonna’s return may energize longtime fans and draw younger viewers familiar with Carpenter and Charli XCX. The cross-generational pairing could reinforce award shows’ reliance on nostalgia and viral moments, potentially boosting streaming interest in Confessions II and related remixes. For MTV, such a spectacle may shape how future ceremonies court legacy stars and pop collaborators. It may also spark conversation about collaboration across eras, though actual cultural impact remains uncertain.