Slayyyter, LISA, Charli xcx & More Rock the 2026 MTV VMAs Red Carpet: See the Best Photos

From Slayyyter and Charli xcx to Nirvana, LISA and more, see the stars arrive for this year's ceremony. Slayyyter at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Michael Buckner Trending on Billboard It was a rockin’ mix of iconic and up-and-coming when the stars began to arrive on the red carpet for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday (Sept. 17) at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Among the musical acts showing off their looks were the surviving members of Nirvana (Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear), who struck a pose in rocker chic black, ready to accept the Video Vanguard Award; Public Enemy’s Chuck D and Flavor Flav showed up prepared to fight the power; BLACKPINK’s LISA — who is set to perform and is nominated for four Moon People — was spicy in a red ensemble; sombr, who will perform a tribute to the late George Michael, showed off his appeal with a belt buckle that declared “sex”; and performer RAYE, who will also honor George Michael, dazzled in a figure-hugging silver number. Going into the evening, legendary artist Madonna leads in VMA nominations with a lucky 13, while Taylor Swift — who will be premiering the video for her new single, “Patient Zero” during the ceremony — is close on her heals with 11. Other top nominees include Sabrina Carpenter with nine; Ariana Grande with eight; Bruno Mars at seven; Ella Langley, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson boasting five a piece; and Charli xcx, LISA, Olivia Rodrigo, Yung Lean and GENER8ION with four each. Hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg hosts the 2026 ceremony, which airs live from coast to coast on MTV, CBS and streaming on Paramount+. In addition to the Moon People who will be handed out during the ceremony, there will also be special tributes, including the aforementioned nod to George Michael by sombr, RAYE as well as Teddy Swims. Late, great country icon Dolly Parton, who died Aug. 25 at age 80, will also be honored with a performance by Kacey Musgraves. See some of the best photos from the 2026 VMAs red carpet below: Bella Kay Image Credit: Michael Buckner Bella Kay at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Samuel Jaimez, Moises Lopez, Jesus Ortiz Paz, José “Pelón” García and Khrystian Ramos of Fuerza Regida Image Credit: Michael Buckner Samuel Jaimez, Moises Lopez, Jesus Ortiz Paz, José “Pelón” García and Khrystian Ramos of Fuerza Regida at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Chloe Bailey Image Credit: Michael Buckner Chloe Bailey at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Charli xcx Image Credit: Michael Buckner Charli xcx at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Shaboozey Image Credit: JC Olivera Shaboozey at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Sienna Spiro Image Credit: JC Olivera Sienna Spiro at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Taylor Swift Image Credit: Michael Buckner Taylor Swift at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Chuck D and Flavor Flav Image Credit: JC Olivera Chuck D and Flavor Flav at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Teyana Taylor Image Credit: Michael Buckner Teyana Taylor at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Lisa Image Credit: JC Olivera Lisa at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear of Nirvana Image Credit: JC Olivera Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear of Nirvana at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Vincent Mason and Stella Lefty Image Credit: JC Olivera Vincent Mason and Stella Lefty at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Yung Lean and Surkin Image Credit: Michael Buckner Yung Lean and Surkin at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. sombr Image Credit: Michael Buckner Sombr at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. PinkPantheress Image Credit: Michael Buckner PinkPantheress at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Adam Lambert Image Credit: JC Olivera Adam Lambert at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Raye Image Credit: Michael Buckner Raye at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. JoJo Image Credit: Michael Buckner JoJo at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Tyla Image Credit: Michael Buckner Tyla at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Normani Image Credit: Michael Buckner Normani at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Rei Ami Image Credit: Michael Buckner Rei Ami at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Slayyyter Image Credit: Michael Buckner Slayyyter at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Orville Peck Image Credit: Michael Buckner Orville Peck at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Stella Lefty Image Credit: Michael Buckner Stella Lefty at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Troye Sivan Image Credit: Michael Buckner Troye Sivan at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Kouvr Annon and Alex Warren Image Credit: Michael Buckner Kouvr Annon and Alex Warren at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Bebe Rexha Image Credit: Michael Buckner Bebe Rexha at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Gunna Image Credit: Michael Buckner Gunna at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. 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