Madonna Opens 2026 VMAs With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx
Madonna opened the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on 27 September with a medley from Confessions II. Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx joined her for the number. It was her first live performance at the ceremony in 23 years Billboard.
Carpenter started the set at the piano. She played the opening chords of “Bring Your Love” before Madonna took over.
Charli xcx then joined Madonna for the “Danceteria Afterhours” remix. Actor Debi Mazar made a cameo during that section. The wider “Danceteria” sequence also featured appearances from sombr, Julia Garner, Seth Rogen and Fab 5 Freddy.
The song choice carried its own backstory. “Danceteria” traces Madonna’s Lower East Side origin story and mentions artist Keith Haring. Fab 5 Freddy is name-dropped in the bridge. Garner is attached to play Madonna in her planned biopic.
The opening landed 23 years after Madonna’s onstage kiss with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera at the VMAs. Her history with the show runs deeper. In 1986 she became the first female recipient of the Video Vanguard Award, the VMAs honour for lifetime achievement in music video.
The performance put new material centre stage. Confessions II is described as her 10th solo studio album and a sequel to her 2005 album Confessions on a Dance Floor. It debuted atop the Billboard 200, the US albums chart. Two tracks from it, “Danceteria” and “Love Sensation”, topped Dance Airplay, Billboard’s chart for dance radio.
Madonna entered the night as the nominations leader. She had 13 nominations, including video of the year, best dance and artist of the year. That tied Lady Gaga’s record for most nominations in a single VMAs night. Her career total stands at 84 nominations, the second-most in VMAs history behind Beyoncé with 85.
The ceremony aired live on 27 September on CBS, after pre-show announcements confirmed Madonna as the opener People. Other performers announced for the night included GENER8ION, Gunna, LISA, RAYE, Shaboozey, SIENNA SPIRO and Yung Lean Paramount. Paramount and Spotify partnered on the 2026 edition.
