After nearly a decade, the VMAs returned to Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 28. The annual award show was hosted by LA’s very own, Snoop Dogg, at the Peacock Theater.
The night featured some of the biggest artists in the industry with performances from Madonna, Shaboozey, LISA and more. Additionally, Taylor Swift received the inaugural Artist Director Honors, which, in addition to winning Video of the Year and Best Direction, made her the most awarded artist in VMA history, breaking her tie with Beyoncé.
Here are some of the other major moments of the night that you might have missed on TV.
Taylor Swift watches “Patient Zero” music video with Dakota Johnson and fans
After Johnson presented Swift with the inaugural Artist Director Honors, the two stayed on stage to watch the premiere of the “Patient Zero” music video with fans. The video, directed by Swift, stars Johnson alongside Colin Farrell. The two were seen dancing along to the song, as well as chatting about some of the major moments in the video.
Madonna brings out surprise guest after surprise guest during VMAs opening number
In addition to sweeping the award categories on Sunday, Madonna opened up the VMAs with a performance full of special guests. Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX both joined the “Queen of Pop” on stage to duet “Bring Your Love” (which Carpenter and Madonna debuted at Coachella earlier this year) and “Danceteria Afterhours” with her, but that’s not all that Madonna had in store for fans. Sombr, Julia Garner, Debi Mazar, Seth Rogen, Andrew Watt, and more took to the stage during the performance, delighting the crowd.
@carolyn.burt Madonna brought out surprise guest after surprise guest during her opening number at the 2026 VMAs at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. From song collaborators Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX to special cameos from Julia Garner Debu Mazar, Seth Rogen and more. Who else did you spot during the performance? #madonna #vmas #2026vmas #charlixcx #sabrinacarpenter
“Off Campus” stars’ sweet reaction to nod from the show
Hockey romances have taken over television this year, and in doing so turned their stars into household names. First with “Heated Rivalry” stars Connor Storrie, who plays Ilya Rozanov, and Hudson Williams, who plays Shane Hollander, and now that same recipe for success is happening with the stars of “Off Campus.”
Ella Bright and Belmont Cameli, who play the main love interest of Hannah and Garret in season one, took to the VMAs stage to introduce Sienna Spiro, who was performing in addition to being nominated for Best New Artist (which she took home the Moonman for). Ahead of their introduction, the VMAs production team knew exactly which song to queue in the segment as “GIRLS” by The Kid LAROI started playing.
If you aren’t familiar with the show, the song became a recognizable moment where Garrett dances during Drunk Shakespeare. It’s become so talked about that Cameli recreated the famed dance move from the show during The Kid LAROI’s concert at the Greek Theatre this summer. Even more recently, Bachelorette star Tyler Cameron did his own take on the move during Viral Hits Night on “Dancing with the Stars” this season, which Cameli gave his stamp of approval.
Bright was the first to notice the song, which caused her face to light up. When Cameli recognized the tune, he delighted the fans and performed the signature dance move.
STORM music video recreated on VMAs stage
With over 26 million views on YouTube, GENER8ION’s music video for “STORM” starring Yung Lean has been one of the most talked about videos of the year. Part of what draws people in is the dance sequence that begins near the 4:30-minute mark on the video. So it was all the more impressive to viewers when the performance was recreated on the VMAs stage by a group of dancers and Yung Lean.
Dolly Parton’s legacy lives on
In addition to Kacey Musgraves delivering a moving performance of “I Will Always Love You” to honor the late great country icon, Swift highlighted Parton in her acceptance speech for Video of the Year.
“Every single song that she wrote, her storytelling was so vivid and so rich. It was like listening to her songs; it’s like watching the best music video you have ever seen in your life every single time you hear what she has written. And she, man, she handled this thing with such grace and joy and love and gratitude for the fact that she got to do this,” said Swift. “And everything that happened in her life or her career, she channeled back into love and gratitude and appreciation for her fans. I am lucky I got to be one of them, and I will always be one of them.”