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

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 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

  

  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

  

  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

  

  Chloe Bailey at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

• Charli xcx

  

  Charli xcx at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

• Shaboozey

  

  Shaboozey at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

• Sienna Spiro

  

  Sienna Spiro at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

• Taylor Swift

  

  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

  

  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

  

  Teyana Taylor at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

• Lisa

  

  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

  

  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

  

  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

  

  Yung Lean and Surkin at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

• sombr

  

  Sombr at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

• PinkPantheress

  

  PinkPantheress at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

• Adam Lambert

  

  Adam Lambert at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

• Raye

  

  Raye at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

• JoJo

  

  JoJo at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

• Tyla

  

  Tyla at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

• Normani

  

  Normani at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

• Rei Ami

  

  Rei Ami at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

• Slayyyter

  

  Slayyyter at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

• Orville Peck

  

  Orville Peck at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

• Stella Lefty

  

  Stella Lefty at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

• Troye Sivan

  

  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

  

  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

  

  Bebe Rexha at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

• Gunna

  

  Gunna at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.