Madonna Stole The Show At The 2026 VMAs With One Wild Speech After Another

Cast your mind back to 1984, when Madonna scaled down a three-tier wedding cake for the first-ever MTV VMA awards, shedding her bridal wear as she descended. She famously writhed across the stage, skirt hitched up and garters on full display, as audiences around the world collectively clutched their pearls.

She was pilloried in the press and dragged through the court of public opinion, but what seemed scandalous then would soon become the stuff of pop-culture MTV legend.

More than four decades later, Madonna recalled the now-iconic moment in her 2026 Artist of the Year acceptance speech, saying: “My dress went up, and my butt cheek was hanging out, and in those days, butt cheeks were not hanging out. I just want to remind you.” They certainly weren’t.

Then, in 2003, Madonna sought another unforgettable cultural moment, deciding to lock lips with Britney Spears on the VMA stage (Christina Aguilera was there too, although X-Tina’s contribution to this particular slice of pop history has, rather unfairly, been forgotten). With one open-mouthed kiss, Britney shed her squeaky-clean good-girl image, while Madonna once again demonstrated her singular ability to ignite the news cycle.

Nobody does controversy quite like her, and that is precisely why we love her. Madonna’s performance tonight at the 2026 VMA’s marks her first appearance at the ceremony in 23 years, where she led the evening’s nominations with 13 nods, followed by Taylor Swift with nine.

Madonna ultimately took home Best Collaboration for her song with Carpenter, “Bring Your Love,” Best Dance for her Confessions II film, and Artist of the Year. Across her multiple acceptance speeches, she once again reminded us of her gloriously chaotic approach to awards ceremonies.

And because there are few things more entertaining than Madonna being Madonna, we’ve rounded up our favourite moments from today’s VMA festivities.

“My Manager Told Me That My Career Was Over”

In her acceptance speech for Artist of the Year, Madonna dished on some outrageous behind-the-scenes revelations about her now-iconic 1984 VMA performance, including the moment her manager allegedly told her that her “career was over.” Four decades later, and it’s Madonna whose having the last laugh.

Her speech started with the singer reminiscing, “Some of you were probably not born—I think most of you were probably not born—but I performed at the first MTV Awards 43 years ago.”

She continued, “I had a little problem with my shoes, and one of my stilettos fell off, and I dove onto the stage to try to, like, make myself look cute and sexy, and I meant to do it. And my dress went up, and my butt cheek was hanging out, and in those days, butt cheeks were not hanging out. I just want to remind you. And I went backstage feeling really proud of myself, and my manager told me that my career was over. That is the truth. Not my manager, now. No. He was the assistant to the manager. It’s best not to say anything. I might lose my train of thought.”

She added, “Seriously, I really want you to know that I spent the last year and a half finding myself, believing in myself, and really making the music that I wanted to make. And to me, that really is the definition of being an artist, and my hope for all of you here tonight is that you spend the next year, or the next 10 years, or the rest of your life, doing the same, finding yourself and believing in yourself.”

“I’m Kind Of Unclear What This Award Is For”

Madonna also took home the award for Best Dance, although upon arriving onstage, she admitted she wasn’t entirely sure what she was being honoured for.

“I’m kind of unclear what this award is for. I’m assuming it’s the film,” she said, turning to presenters Troye Sivan and Charli xcx for an explanation. Charli also had to double-check before confirming that, yes, the award was indeed for Confessions II: The Film.

Madonna also reached behind herself and pulled out a mysterious black object, leaving the audience slightly confused. It was later revealed to be a laser, a nod to her Confessions II video, in which green lasers shoot out from the dancers’ behinds.

She then wondered aloud why Sivan and Charli were standing so far away, prompting the pair to awkwardly shuffle closer until they were flanking her. “I feel good surrounded by people who like to dance,” she said, gesturing to the two pop stars beside her before finally settling into her speech.

“Dance is where everything happened for me in my life,” Madonna said, recalling how she moved to New York City to pursue dance.

“Aside from soccer/football, whatever you want to call it, dance brings everybody together,” she continued. “We are all equal on the dancefloor.”

Madonna Claims Sabrina Carpenter Ghosted Her

For her first win of the evening, Madonna took to the stage alongside Sabrina Carpenter to accept the award for Best Collaboration for their song, “Bring Your Love.” The win came shortly after the pair opened the awards ceremony with a performance of the hit track, with Charli xcx also joining the 68-year-old singer as the ceremony got underway.

Kicking off her first acceptance speech and explaining how the collaboration came to be, Madonna admitted, “Everyone who knows me knows how impatient I am.” She then turned her attention to Carpenter, joking about the wait for a response.

“When five days passed and I still didn’t get connected with Sabrina, and didn’t hear back from her about whether she wanted to do a song with me…Five days,” she said, much to the amusement of Sabrina, before revealing that she eventually took matters into her own hands. “I DM’d her…She answered me back, and within weeks we were in the studio together.”

Sabrina ensured her team wasn’t fully thrown under the bus though, clarifying, “My team replies just so everybody knows. They do respond to people. But I respond faster. So, direct line to me is always the best way to get in contact,” she joked. We want your direct line, Sabrina!