Sabrina Carpenter, 27, skipped the red carpet but still commanded the MTV Video Music Awards stage with two Madonna-inspired looks.
The “Espresso” singer opened the 2026 ceremony Sunday night seated at a grand piano for a duet performance of “Bring Your Love” alongside Madonna, 67. Carpenter wore a black beret, white button-down shirt open over a bra, and black sequined boyshorts held up by suspenders. The outfit deliberately recalled Deborah Feingold’s 1982 photo shoot of the “Material Girl” singer, taken before her debut album release.
The duet was also nominated for Song of the Year at the ceremony.
For her post-performance change, Carpenter turned to one of Madonna’s favored labels, Dolce & Gabbana. She selected a romantic blush-pink gown featuring a rose at the center of the bodice and black beaded fringe throughout, paired with peep-toe Christian Louboutin stilettos. Soft waves and rosy makeup completed the classic look.
She accepted the Best Collaboration award with Madonna in that second outfit.
Carpenter’s devotion to channeling pop royalty has become a signature of her VMAs appearances. Last year, she arrived in a sheer red lace Valentino gown with a pale purple feathered boa, later taking the stage in a Britney Spears-inspired bedazzled fringe bra and sheer black tights. For the after-party, she wore a vintage Bob Mackie gown previously worn by Cher.
The “Manchild” hitmaker has extended her Madonna tributes beyond the VMAs. She posed in a cone bra on the March 2025 cover of Vogue. In April, Madonna made a surprise cameo during Carpenter’s Coachella set, joining her for performances of “Vogue” and “Like a Prayer.”
Carpenter entered the 2026 ceremony with nine total nominations, including Artist of the Year, Video of the Year, Best Album and Song of the Year.
The nod to Feingold’s early Madonna photography marked another layer in Carpenter’s ongoing visual dialogue with the pop icon’s legacy, from borrowed gowns to shared stage moments.
Carpenter’s 2024 VMAs look had already established the pattern: that year she borrowed the Bob Mackie gown Madonna wore to the 1991 Oscars.
The 2026 ceremony continued Carpenter’s streak of transformation across multiple looks in a single evening, trading the sequined suspenders of her opening number for lace and fringe by the time she reached the winner’s podium.