Madelyn Cline Learns Her Sabrina Carpenter Music Video Is VMA-Nominated — Live on Today
Madelyn Cline found out on live television that she is part of a 2026 MTV Video Music Award nominee. During the August 19 episode of NBC's Today show, Cline was told that the music video for Sabrina Carpenter's "House Tour" — in which she co-stars — had earned a VMA nomination, and reacted with visible surprise and laughter. Billboard reported the moment on August 20.
"House Tour" is nominated in the best direction category at the 2026 MTV VMAs. Carpenter co-directed the video with actor Margaret Qualley, who also appears on screen alongside Cline. The heist-inspired clip was filmed entirely on film over two full days, and released under Island Records, part of Universal Music Group. Billboard and Paste Magazine confirmed the details.
Cline told Today that joining the project was an "immediate yes" because she and Carpenter have been friends for a long time and she is a Carpenter fan. Appearing on Jake Shane's Therapuss podcast, she called the video one of her favourite achievements and described being part of what she called the "Sabrina-verse." Yahoo Entertainment noted that Cline and Qualley were both enthusiastic about signing on.
For Carpenter, "House Tour" is one piece of a sizable VMA showing. She received seven nominations for the 2026 ceremony, including video of the year for "Tears" and artist of the year. She follows Madonna, who leads all artists with eleven nominations, and stands alongside Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande as the ceremony's top nominees. Variety and Billboard reported the nominations on August 19.
The song itself has had a steady chart life. "House Tour" debuted at No. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 — the weekly US singles ranking — following the August 2025 release of Carpenter's album Man's Best Friend. It was still on the chart in July 2026, at No. 68. Billboard confirmed both positions.
Carpenter is no stranger to the VMA stage. She won Song of the Year for "Espresso" at the 2024 ceremony, and took home both Best Album and Visual Effects awards at the 2025 show, according to MTV's official winners pages.
For Cline, the nomination is an unlikely crossover. Best known for her acting roles in Outer Banks and Glass Onion, she now has a VMA-nominated music video credit to her name — one she learned about the way much of the audience did, watching it unfold in real time.
