Taylor Swift closed the 2026 MTV VMAs by dedicating her latest win to Dolly Parton.
The pop superstar, 35, took home Video of the Year at Sunday’s ceremony at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles for “The Fate of Ophelia” and used the moment to honor the country legend, who died in August at 80 after a secret battle with cancer. Swift called Parton “the ultimate showgirl” from the stage.
“She handles this thing with such grace and joy and love and gratitude for the fact that she got to do this,” Swift said. The singer-songwriter added a final thought before the show wrapped: “We were all very, very lucky to share this planet with Dolly Parton for a time.”
Swift dominated the night beyond that sentimental moment. She debuted the music video for her new song, “Patient Zero,” after receiving the first-ever Artist Director Honors award from actress Dakota Johnson, 34. The video casts Johnson alongside Colin Farrell as her villainous abusive husband, and Swifties quickly devoured the twist ending.
The evening also made Swift the most-awarded artist in VMAs history, adding to her record-breaking haul.
Madonna, 66, delivered her first live VMA performance in 23 years, opening the show with a maximalist medley that brought out Sabrina Carpenter, 25, for their collaboration “Bring Your Love” and Charli XCX, 32, for “Danceteria Afterhours.” Surprise guests included longtime friend Debi Mazar, 60, and actress Julia Garner, 30, who had been attached to star in Madonna’s now-canceled biopic.
The Material Girl pushed boundaries with dancers sporting laser effects and staging designed to resemble bathroom stalls. She also collected multiple Moon Men, including Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Best Dance.
Her acceptance speeches, however, tested audience patience. “First of all I would like to thank my fingers, because I can always count on them,” she said while accepting Artist of the Year. Upon winning Best Dance, she admitted she had forgotten what category she was in.
The night’s host, a rapper whose name was not specified in coverage, drew mixed reactions. His scripted jokes generated minimal laughs, and his opening monologue landed with a thud. He did manage one notable zinger after Madonna’s provocative set.
“Madonna just killed it, now that is an icon,” he said as the crowd cheered, before adding: “One thing I want to say is, she ain’t no virgin no more.”
Kacey Musgraves, 36, handled the evening’s most emotionally resonant performance with a stripped-down piano rendition of Parton’s 1974 classic “I Will Always Love You.” The singer fought back tears by the final notes, her vocals carrying the full weight of the tribute.
Nirvana received the Video Vanguard Award, becoming the first band honored since Duran Duran in 2003. Surviving members Dave Grohl, 56, Krist Novoselic, 59, and Pat Smear, 65, accepted after an introduction from Chuck D, 64, and paid tribute to late frontman Kurt Cobain. Fans found the moment underwhelming and forgettable.
A George Michael tribute featuring Sombr, Raye, Teddy Swims and Adam Lambert, 43, also disappointed. Sombr opened with “Faith” and “Father Figure” but lacked energy, while Lambert’s high-octane “Freedom! ’90” couldn’t salvage the overall flatness for an artist of Michael’s stature. Michael died in 2016 at 53.
Technical difficulties marred the broadcast before it began. The VMAs were scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS and MTV but started over 20 minutes late because the Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys NFL game ran long. Fans watching social media saw footage before the actual broadcast, sparking angry posts on X including one reading, “Who in the fvk scheduled the vmas after a football game??? Like wdym we are missing a Sabrina/madonna opening?”
The show marked the VMAs’ first West Coast ceremony since 2017, yet producers oddly avoided audience reaction shots during performances, depriving viewers of the candid celebrity moments that typically go viral.
