The 2026 MTV VMAs brought the biggest names in music to the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night, and the red carpet was just as stacked as the show itself. Nirvana’s surviving members, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear, arrived in all black ahead of accepting the Video Vanguard Award, a moment decades in the making for a band that reshaped rock.
The nomination race turned into a full-blown superstar showdown. Madonna leads the night with 13 nods, while Taylor Swift follows with 11 and premiered her“Patient Zero”video during the broadcast. LISA walked in with four nominations and a performance on deck, and stars like sombr and RAYE kept the carpet full of looks worth talking about. Snoop Dogg hosted the ceremony, which aired live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
The night also carried real emotion. Kacey Musgraves performed a tribute to Dolly Parton, who died Aug. 25 at age 80, giving the show a moment that hit far beyond the awards. From fashion to trophies to tears, the VMAs delivered everything pop culture fans came for.
Which VMA moment are you still thinking about?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.