LISA wins Best Pop and gives 'SaWaDiKa' its TV debut at 2026 VMAs

LISA left the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards with a trophy in hand and a live debut complete. The singer won Best Pop for "Dream" and performed her single "SaWaDiKa" on Sunday, Sept. 27.

The Best Pop prize was the first award given out on the night. Teyana Taylor presented the honour, which made LISA a four-time VMA winner, according to Billboard. The other nominees in the category were Ariana Grande for "Hate That I Made You Love Me", Olivia Rodrigo for "Drop Dead" and Taylor Swift for "The Fate of Ophelia".

Tyla introduced the "SaWaDiKa" performance. It was the song's first outing on television, a detail confirmed ahead of the show by Paramount. It was also LISA's second solo performance at the VMAs as a solo artist, and the first time she had sung the song live, according to Elle.

The performance followed a strong start on the charts in the United States. "SaWaDiKa" debuted at No. 69 on the Billboard Hot 100, the US singles chart, in September 2026. That is LISA's highest-charting unaccompanied single on that chart to date.

The track also reached No. 7 on Digital Song Sales, the chart that tracks paid downloads. It is her fourth top 10 on that chart. The song was produced by Thom Bridges and Ojivolta.

"SaWaDiKa" will appear on Press Play, a six-track EP. The set is due for release on Oct. 23 via Lloud and RCA Records.

The night opened with Madonna performing a Confessions II medley with Sabrina Carpenter, Charli xcx, Seth Rogen and sombr. The show also included first-time VMA performances from Raye and Sienna Spiro.

For fans, this means the VMA night was both a win and a preview. "Dream" took the early prize. "SaWaDiKa" now heads to Press Play in October.