Madonna opened the 2026 MTV VMAs on Sunday with Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx, marking her first performance at the awards in 23 years. The two-song set paired her with Carpenter at the piano and included Charli in the “Danceteria Afterhours” remix.
After Madonna descended from the piano, dancers lifted her onto a rolling table that circled an audience choir in white veils. The stage then became the bathroom set from her “Danceteria” video; Debi Mazar and Julia Garner also appeared, while Sombr and Andrew Watt made cameos.
Madonna led the 2026 VMA nominations with 13, ahead of Taylor Swift with 11. The performance followed the July release of “Confessions II,” her 15th album and first in seven years.
