Madonna shares VMAs stage with ex Tony Ward after 35 years
Madonna reunited with former boyfriend Tony Ward while opening the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles. Their reunion occurred 35 years after they split, and Ward took part in a bathroom segment of the performance. He had previously appeared in Madonna's 1990 video for "Justify My Love".
Madonna, now 68, returned to the MTV Video Music Awards stage for the first time in 23 years. Her opening set in Los Angeles on September 27 also included Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx.
During that performance, she appeared with Tony Ward, a former boyfriend and the model-actor who had starred in her 1990 "Justify My Love" clip. Their reunion came roughly 35 years after their relationship ended, with Ward participating in a bathroom-themed segment.
The reunion could resonate most with longtime Madonna fans and viewers nostalgic for 1990s pop culture. It may drive renewed streaming or social media interest in her catalog and Ward's modeling and acting work, while giving the VMAs a viral moment. For younger audiences, it may serve as a reminder of Madonna's long history of provocative performance and high-profile collaborations.