Madonna to Open VMAs for First Time in 23 Years, Leads Nominations
The Queen of Pop will open the VMAs, marking her first time doing so in 23 years. She is also the most-nominated artist of the night.
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Madonna Is Opening the VMAs for the First Time in 23 Years
The Queen of Pop is the most-nominated artist of the night By Kiana Mickles September 16, 2026 Save this story Save this story
Madonna is bringing Danceteria back to the VMAs. This year, the pop star will open the awards show for the first time since 2003, performing as the most-nominated artist for her ’80s nightlife-inspired album, Confessions II . Her nods include Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year. This is the third time Madonna has led the VMA nominations, having earned nine nods for “Ray of Light” and “Frozen” in 1998, and nine for “Vogue” in 1990.
The last time Madonna opened the show, she performed “Like a Virgin” and “Hollywood” alongside—and then made out with—Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. In 1990, she sang “Vogue” in a performance inspired by 18 th -century France. In 1984, the Queen of Pop headlined the very first VMAs, when she writhed on the floor with a belt that read “BOY TOY” for a performance of “Like a Virgin.”
The VMAs air Sunday, September 27 on CBS at 7:30 PM EST.
Kiana Mickles is a staff writer at Pitchfork. They previously worked as the reviews editor at Resident Advisor . They were born and raised in New York. ... Read More
_Originally reported by [Pitchfork](https://pitchfork.com/story/madonna-is-opening-the-vmas-for-the-first-time-in-23-years/)._
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