Madonna Returns to MTV VMAs Stage After 23 Years to Open Awards Show

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Sep 16, 2026 12:45pm PT

Madonna to Open MTV Video Music Awards With First Show Performance in 23 Years

By Steven J. Horowitz

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Steven J. Horowitz

Senior Music Writer

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Madonna is set to open the MTV Video Music Awards with her first live performance at the show in 23 years.

The pop star last graced the VMA stage as a performer with her iconic 2003 appearance with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. She already received a big look ahead of the VMAs with 11 nominations in the wake of her latest album “Confessions II,” putting her ahead of Taylor Swift with nine nominations and Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter, who had seven apiece. She has 19 career wins and previously led nominations twice, with nine nods for “Vogue” in 1990 and nine for “Ray of Light” and “Frozen” in 1998.

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_Originally reported by [Variety Music](https://variety.com/2026/music/news/madonna-performance-to-open-mtv-video-music-awards-1236864336/)._