Key Takeaways
- Madonna won seven Moon Person trophies at the 2026 VMAs.
- Taylor Swift took home the inaugural artist director honors and video of the year.
- Nirvana received the MTV video vanguard award.
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) saw Madonna emerge as the biggest winner, taking home seven Moon Person trophies. The ceremony, hosted by Snoop Dogg, was held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Taylor Swift was another standout performer, winning the inaugural artist director honors and the coveted video of the year trophy for her self-directed 'Patient Zero' music video.
Nirvana, the legendary band, received the MTV video vanguard award, with surviving members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear accepting the honor on behalf of the late Kurt Cobain.
The VMAs, which began 22 minutes late due to the NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens, featured a mix of performances and tributes.
Madonna's performances included a coterie of cameos, creating a memorable dancefloor moment for the audience.
Taylor Swift premiered her self-directed 'Patient Zero' music video and directed the 'The Fate of Ophelia' video, which also won her the video of the year trophy.
The night concluded with a special tribute to Nirvana, with the surviving members accepting the MTV video vanguard award, marking a significant moment in music history.
Despite the late start, the VMAs managed to deliver a strong performance from Madonna and a historic moment for Nirvana.
