VMAs 2026 best dressed! Taylor Swift dazzles in shimmering gown as she leads the red carpet fashion parade alongside leggy Paris Hilton and scantily clad JoJo

Music's biggest stars took over the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).The VMAs red carpet is legendary for its daring fashion, and this year was no exception, with A-listers like Taylor Swift, Paris Hilton and JoJo stepping out in head-turning ensembles. Swift, 36, commanded the red carpet in a figure-hugging Tamara Ralph Couture ensemble as she arrived at the event without her NFL star husband Travis Kelce, 36, who had a Chiefs game against the Dolphins in Miami earlier in the day.Her glamorous look boasted a halter neck black top with a showstopping sheer back, seamlessly paired with a sparkly silver skirt. On top of sweeping 11 nominations, Swift is set to collect the inaugural Artist Director Honors during the ceremony. Her appearance follows Friday's release of The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore, the deluxe edition of her 12th studio album. Taylor Swift, 36, commanded the red carpet at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday She turned heads in a figure-hugging Tamara Ralph Couture ensembleParis Hilton, 45, and JoJo, 35, also joined the fashion parade Hilton, 45, shimmered in a silver mini dress as she posed alongside sister Nicky Hilton, 42. JoJo, 35, kicked off the red carpet in a very revealing look, showing off her toned midriff in a tiny bra top and a sweeping long skirt. She accessorized the daring outfit with chunky silver jewelry and styled her long locks into soft waves. Meanwhile, Beyonce's protégée Chloe Bailey, 28, had all eyes on her in a bedazzled silver gown.Oscar nominee Teyana Taylor, 35, looked nothing short of sensational in a sultry, plunging black lace gown by Zuhair Murad Couture. Elsewhere on the red carpet Normani sent temperatures soaring in a jaw-dropping dark metallic gown complete with an intricate floral embellishment.Charli XCX showed off her impressive abs in a tiny black top and matching long skirt. Other early red carpet arrivals included model Haley Kalil, who was a vision in a shimmering silver Marc Bouwer gown that highlighted her toned arms.British singer-songwriter Raye 28, sparkled in a plunging Georges Hobeika Couture gown. Bebe Rexha stepped out in a daring black lace mini dress and lace up high heel boots. Love Island USA beauty Olandria had all eyes on her in a lace-up brown leather gown. Swift arrived at the event without her NFL star husband Travis Kelce, 36, who had a Chiefs game against the Dolphins in Miami earlier in the day Her glamorous look boasted a halter neck black top with a showstopping sheer back It was seamlessly paired with a sparkly silver skirt On top of sweeping 11 nominations, Swift is set to collect the inaugural Artist Director Honors during the ceremony Her appearance follows Friday's release of The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore, the deluxe edition of her 12th studio album She flashed her massive engagement ring The singer accessorized with flowing earrings The outfit featured a lace-up back Meanwhile Hilton posed alongside sister Nicky, who wore a matching sparkling look Nicky wore delicate glam for the occasion JoJo flashed the flesh at the star-studded event Oscar nominee Teyana Taylor, 35, looked nothing short of sensational in a sultry, plunging black lace gown by Zuhair Murad Couture Her sheer gown featured feather details Beyonce's protégée Chloe Bailey, 28, had all eyes on her in a bedazzled silver gown Normani sent temperatures soaring in a jaw-dropping dark metallic gown complete with an intricate floral embellishment Charli XCX showed off her impressive abs in a tiny black top and matching long skirt British singer-songwriter Raye 28, sparkled in a plunging Georges Hobeika Couture gown Model Haley Kalil was a vision in a shimmering silver Marc Bouwer gown that highlighted her toned armsLove Island USA beauty Olandria had all eyes on her in a lace-up brown leather gown Bebe Rexha stepped out in a daring black lace mini dress and lace up high heel boots Yellowstone bombshell Hassie Harrison looked chic in a floor-length black dress Reality TV star Chanel West Coast paired a cheetah lace dress with a cowboy hat She was joined by fiancé Dom Fenison Summer House star Ciara Miller sizzled in a brown bra and lather lace-up pants Baby Spice Emma Bunton, 50, wore a sleek black dress by Annie's Ibiza, boosting her frame with towering heels Keltie Knight was among the early arrivals and rocked a cheetah print mini dress with over-the-knee bootsJuliet Schroder showed off her legs in a silver mini dress. Eva Gutowski opted for a gothic corset ensemble Alyssa Smith opted for a pop of color in a bright green gown and matching heelsInfluencer Sofia Santino wowed in an iridescent dress and mermaid waves Allison Moses was a vision in a deep purple gown with side cut-outs Stella Quaresma, Jorja Douglas and Renee Downer of FLO matched in low-cut beige dressesBaby Spice Emma Bunton, 50, wore a sleek black dress by Annie's Ibiza, boosting her frame with towering heels. Keltie Knight rocked a cheetah print mini dress with over-the-knee studded boots. Reality TV star Chanel West Coast paired a cheetah lace dress with a cowboy hat. Rock royalty Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear of Nirvana reunited on the red carpet. Grohl's wife Jordyn Blum made a rare appearance at the event. The couple's marriage was rocked after he confirmed he had fathered a baby with another woman in September 2024. Meanwhile, Alyssa Smith opted for a pop of color in a bright green gown and matching heels. Juliet Schroder showed off her legs in a silver mini dress while Eva Gutowski stunned in a gothic corset ensemble.Inasmuch as Beyonce has no nominations this year, Swift will become the sole reigning record-holder. Ordinary hitmaker Alex Warren was joined by glamorous wife Kouvr Annon for the occasionHarry Jowsey and Magnus Paulin Ferrell showed off two completely different takes on menswear at the event Rock royalty Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear of Nirvana reunited on the red carpet Grohl's wife Jordyn Blum made a rare appearance at the event. The couple's marriage was rocked after he confirmed he had fathered a baby with another woman in September 2024 Rapper Kevin Gates looked dapper in a white and black tuxedo The MTV VMA Artist Director Honors celebrates a sustained and influential body of work from artists who have pushed creative boundaries and developed a clear directorial voice.Swift has utilized music videos as an extension of her songwriting as she has directed the visuals for her tracks: The Fate of Ophelia, Opalite, The Man, cardigan, willow, All Too Well: The Short Film, Anti-Hero, Bejeweled, Fortnight (feat. Post Malone), I Can See You (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault), Karma (feat. Ice Spice) and Lavender Haze.No doubt diehard Swifties will be watching the event with plenty of scrutiny as she released deluxe album The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore along with new single Patient Zero on Friday.Meanwhile, nominees were unveiled last month and it was Madonna who emerged as the artist with the most nods.Madonna, 68, is in competition for a staggering 11 prizes, narrowly beating out Swift, who has nods in nine categories.They will be vying against each other for the evening's top honor, video of the year, with Swift up for The Fate of Ophelia and Madonna for Confessions II (The Film).Rounding out the category are the music videos for Hate That I Made You Love Me by Ariana Grande, Tears by Sabrina Carpenter, I Just Might by Bruno Mars and Storm by GENER8ION (starring Yung Lean). Members of US boy band JYT were also in attendance A giant statue of the coveted Moon Person trophy towered over the arrivals on the red carpetMadonna famously performed at the first-ever VMAs in 1984, bursting from a gigantic wedding cake while dressed in a bridal gown for a rendition of Like a Virgin.She has emerged as a reliable engine of memorable moments at the extravaganza, where she ignited a fan frenzy in 2003 by kissing Britney Spears on the lips.Over the course of her more than four-decade career, Madonna has earned a total of 19 VMAs, meaning that in order to equal Swift and Beyonce's current record she will have to triumph in every category in which she is nominated this year.Confessions II (The Film) is in the running to win best direction, best cinematography, best visual effects, best editing, best choreography, best art direction and dance video of the year.Trailing Madonna and Swift, Grande and Carpenter are tied for third place with seven nominations apiece, while Mars, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson each have five.The artist of the year category is a face-off between Madonna, Swift, Grande, Carpenter, Mars and country music heartthrob Morgan Wallen.Madonna and Carpenter have landed a joint song of the year nomination for their duo Bring Your Love, the lead single of the former's new album Confessions II.Their rivals are Ella Langley for Choosin' Texas, BTS for Swim, Raye for Where Is My Husband, Olivia Dean for Man I Need and HUNTR/X for their Oscar-winning number Golden from the streaming sensation KPop Demon Hunters. No doubt the most anticipated moment of the night will be when Taylor Swift receives inaugural Artist Director Honors (Above, at the 2024 MTV VMAs in New York in September 2024) Madonna, 68, is in competition for a staggering 11 prizes, narrowly beating out Swift, who has nods in nine categories (Above in New York in June) Trailing Madonna and Swift, Ariana Grande (pictured in January) and Sabrina Carpenter are tied for third place with seven nominations apiece Carpenter is pictured in her music video for Tears, which is up for video of the year against offerings by Madonna, Swift, Grande, Bruno Mars and GENER8ION (starring Yung Lean)Madonna's Confessions II (The Film) is up for dance video of the year, against such competition as Aperture by Harry Styles, Runway by Lady Gaga and Doechii and New Religion by Bebe Rexha and Faithless.The other nominees in that category are Dance... by Slayyyter, Stateside by PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson and Nobody's Girl by Tate McRae.Madonna and Carpenter could also win best collaboration, for which they would have to beat out Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T and Malice for Chains & Whips as well as Shakira and Burna Boy for Dai Dai.Also in that category are Teyana Taylor and Lucky Daye's Hard Part, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson's Stateside and French Montana and Max B's Ever Since U Left Me.Best pop video has emerged as a contest between Hate That I Made You Love Me, The Fate of Ophelia and Nobody's Girl, as well as Dream by the Blackpink breakout Lisa, SS26 by Charli XCX, Drop Dead by Olivia Rodrigo and House Tour by Carpenter.Madonna's VMAs coup comes after she earned a burst of critical acclaim and fan adoration for her latest album Confessions II, which was released July 3 and serves as a sequel to her 2005 smash hit Confessions on a Dance Floor.During the promotions for Confessions II, Madonna went viral for describing John F Kennedy Jr as one of the best lovers she ever had. Madonna famously performed at the first-ever VMAs in 1984, bursting from a gigantic wedding cake while dressed in a bridal gown for a rendition of Like a Virgin She has emerged as a reliable engine of memorable moments at the extravaganza, where she ignited a fan frenzy in 2003 by kissing Britney Spears on the lipsMadonna was asked to reveal her 'best f***,' and after insisting she would 'only name dead people,' whispered: 'John Kennedy Jr.'The Queen of Pop indulged in a dalliance with 'America's Prince' in the 1980s, to the purported dismay of his mother Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.Madonna paid her compliments to JFK Jr's bedroom skills while appearing in a video for the gay hookup app Grindr, with which she had launched a Pride month partnership as an advertisement for Confessions II.Meanwhile, the fever-pitch publicity around Swift reached a zenith this summer with her Madison Square Garden wedding to NFL star Travis Kelce on July 3.MTV Video Music Awards 2026 NOMINEES VIDEO OF THE YEARAriana Grande - Hate That I Made You Love MeBruno Mars - I Just MightGener8ion (starring Yung Lean - StormMadonna - Confessions II (The Film)Sabrina Carpenter - TearsTaylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia ARTIST OF THE YEARAriana GrandeBruno MarsMadonnaMorgan WallenSabrina CarpenterTaylor Swift Madonna has the most nominations of the year with 11SONG OF THE YEARBTS - SwimElla Langley - Choosin' TexasHuntr/x - GoldenMadonna and Sabrina Carpenter - Bring Your LoveOlivia Dean - Man I NeedRaye - Where Is My HusbandBEST NEW ARTISTBella KayCortisMagnus FerrellMalcolm ToddMyles SmithSienna SpiroStella LeftyBEST COLLABORATIONClipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T and Malice – Chains & WhipsFrench Montana and Max B – Ever Since U Left MeMadonna and Sabrina CarpenterPinkPantheress and Zara Larsson – StatesideShakira and Burna Boy – Dai DaiTeyana Taylor and Lucky Daye – Hard PartBEST POPAriana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love MeCharli XCX – SS26Lisa – DreamOlivia Rodrigo – Drop DeadSabrina Carpenter – House TourTate McRae – Nobody’s GirlTaylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia Taylor Swift is trailing just behind the Queen of Pop with nine nods to her nameBEST HIP-HOPCardi B featuring Kehlani – SafeDon Toliver – E85Drake – Janice STFUMegan Thee Stallion – Lover GirlTravis Scott – DumboTyler, The Creator – Sugar on My TongueBEST R&BBruno Mars – I Just MightChris Brown – It Depends/ObviousDave & Tems – RaindanceJustin Bieber – YukonKehlani – FoldedMariah The Scientist and Kali Uchis – Is It a CrimeBEST ALTERNATIVEGeese – TaxesMGK and Fred Durst – Fix Ur FaceNoah Kahan – The Great DivideOlivia Rodrigo – The CureSombr – HomewreckerTame Impala – DraculaTwenty One Pilots – Drag PathBEST DANCEBebe Rexha and Faithless – New ReligionHarry Styles – ApertureLady Gaga and Doechii – RunwayMadonna – Confessions II (The Film)PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson – StatesideSlayyyter – Dance...Tate McRae – Nobody’s Girl BEST LATINAnitta and Shakira – Choka ChokaBad Bunny – NUEVAYoLFuerza Regida – Tu SanchoKarol G – PapasitoRosalía – La PerlaRyan Castro, Kapo and Gangsta – La VillaShakira and Burna Boy – Dai Dai Ariana Grande has landed a total of seven nominationsBEST K-POPBlackpink – JumpBTS – SwimCortis – RedredKatseye – Pinky UpLe Sserafim – SpaghettiLisa – Dream BEST COUNTRYElla Langley – Choosin’ TexasKacey Musgraves – Dry SpellLainey Wilson – Somewhere over LaredoLuke Combs – Back in the SaddleShaboozey – CowgirlStella Lefty – BostonTucker Wetmore – BrunetteBEST DIRECTIONAriana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love meBruno Mars – I Just MightGener8ion – StormMadonna – Confessions II (The Film)Sabrina Carpenter – House TourTaylor Swift – Opalite Sabrina Carpenter is tied with Grande, having scored seven nodsBEST CINEMATOGRAPHYAriana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love MeA$AP Rocky – Punk RockyLisa – DreamMadonna – Confessions II (The Film)Shaboozey – CowgirlTaylor Swift – The Fate of OpheliaBEST EDITINGAriana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love MeBruno Mars – I Just MightLisa – DreamMadonna – Confessions II (The Film)Sabrina Carpenter – House TourTaylor Swift – The Fate of OpheliaBEST CHOREOGRAPHYGener8ion – StormHarry Styles – Dance No MoreKatseye – Pinky UpMadonna – Confessions II (The Film)Tate McRae – Nobody’s GirlTaylor Swift – The Fate of OpheliaBEST VISUAL EFFECTSAriana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love MeJisoo and Zayn – Eyes ClosedMadonna – Confessions II (The Film)PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson – StatesideRaye – Click Clack SymphonyTaylor Swift – The Fate of OpheliaBEST ART DIRECTIONCharli XCX – SS26Lady Gaga and Doechii – RunwayMadonna – Confessions II (The Film)PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson – StatesideSombr – My Body Isn’t ReadyTaylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia Swift has a chance this year to break her dead heat with Beyonce, with whom she is tied for most VMAs ever at 30