MTV VMAs 2026: See Every Celebrity on the Red Carpet

Mariah Carey to Receive the 2025 MTV VMAs Video Vanguard AwardMusic’s most iconic night is blasting off. Before host Snoop Dogg kicks off the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards and the coveted Moon Person trophies are bestowed, many of the night’s stars proved their fashion on the red carpet is out of this world. After all, JoJo kept the summer vibes going in a skin-baring, two-piece black ensemble complete with a jewel-encrusted bikini top and floor-length skirt. For her part, MTV royalty Chanel West Coast channeled Shania Twain, sporting a leopard print cowgirl hat and flowing sheer skirt. Meanwhile, drag superstars and Traitors alums Bob the Drag Queen and Monét X Change made the red carpet their runway in a denim polka dot dress and sheer black mini dress, respectively. Of course, nominees, performers and more lighting up the red carpet is just part of the excitement in store at this year’s VMAs with such an A-list lineup of musicians set to perform. Indeed, Madonna—who leads the night’s nominees with 11 nominations—is returning the VMAs stage for the first time in 23 years to open the show with a medley of hits from her latest album Confessions II. (Click here to see the full list of the night’s nominees.) Plus, the “Like a Virgin” singer’s fellow Best Cinematography and Best Editing nominee LISA from Blackpink is sure to make the stage a moonlit floor while performing the TV debut of her new track “SaWaDika.” Meanwhile, Best New Artist nominee Sienna Spiro—who is nominated alongside Bella Kay, CORTIS, Magnus Ferrell, Malcolm Todd, Myles Smith and Stella Lefty—will make her VMA performance debut, too. Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesBeyond what is sure to be some unforgettable music, this year’s VMAs is making history in new ways as Taylor Swift—who has previously won four Moon Persons for Best Direction, including for “All Too Well: The Short Film” in 2022—is set to receive the first-ever Artist Director Honors. The new honor is designed to recognize “groundbreaking music artists whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling,” according to a Sept. 21 press release from MTV and CBS. LISA O'CONNOR / AFP via Getty ImagesThe 2026 MTV VMAs will air live at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS and MTV, as well as stream live on Paramount+. To see who else showed up and showed out at the 2026 VMAs, keep scrolling… Frazer Harrison/Getty ImageBob the Drag Queen & Monét X ChangeLISA O'CONNOR / AFP via Getty ImagesJoJoFrazer Harrison/Getty ImagesChanel West CoastLISA O'CONNOR / AFP via Getty ImagesLauren JaureguiLISA O'CONNOR / AFP via Getty ImagesKel MitchellMonica Schipper/WireImageEva GutowskiMonica Schipper/WireImageAniya HarveyLISA O'CONNOR / AFP via Getty ImagesKeltie KnightLISA O'CONNOR / AFP via Getty ImagesMoon PersonFor the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App