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 ensemble

Paris 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 arms

Love 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 boots

Juliet 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 heels

Influencer 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 dresses

Baby 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 occasion

Harry 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 carpet

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 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 lips

Madonna 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 YEAR

Ariana Grande - Hate That I Made You Love Me

Bruno Mars - I Just Might

Gener8ion (starring Yung Lean - Storm

Madonna - Confessions II (The Film)

Sabrina Carpenter - Tears

Taylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia 

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Ariana Grande

Bruno Mars

Madonna

Morgan Wallen

Sabrina Carpenter

Taylor Swift 

Madonna has the most nominations of the year with 11

SONG OF THE YEAR

BTS - Swim

Ella Langley - Choosin' Texas

Huntr/x - Golden

Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter - Bring Your Love

Olivia Dean - Man I Need

Raye - Where Is My Husband

BEST NEW ARTIST

Bella Kay

Cortis

Magnus Ferrell

Malcolm Todd

Myles Smith

Sienna Spiro

Stella Lefty

BEST COLLABORATION

Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T and Malice – Chains & Whips

French Montana and Max B – Ever Since U Left Me

Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter

PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson – Stateside

Shakira and Burna Boy – Dai Dai

Teyana Taylor and Lucky Daye – Hard Part

BEST POP

Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me

Charli XCX – SS26

Lisa – Dream

Olivia Rodrigo – Drop Dead

Sabrina Carpenter – House Tour

Tate McRae – Nobody’s Girl

Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia

Taylor Swift is trailing just behind the Queen of Pop with nine nods to her name

BEST HIP-HOP

Cardi B featuring Kehlani – Safe

Don Toliver – E85

Drake – Janice STFU

Megan Thee Stallion – Lover Girl

Travis Scott – Dumbo

Tyler, The Creator – Sugar on My Tongue

BEST R&B

Bruno Mars – I Just Might

Chris Brown – It Depends/Obvious

Dave & Tems – Raindance

Justin Bieber – Yukon

Kehlani – Folded

Mariah The Scientist and Kali Uchis – Is It a Crime

BEST ALTERNATIVE

Geese – Taxes

MGK and Fred Durst – Fix Ur Face

Noah Kahan – The Great Divide

Olivia Rodrigo – The Cure

Sombr – Homewrecker

Tame Impala – Dracula

Twenty One Pilots – Drag Path

BEST DANCE

Bebe Rexha and Faithless – New Religion

Harry Styles – Aperture

Lady Gaga and Doechii – Runway

Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)

PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson – Stateside

Slayyyter – Dance...

Tate McRae – Nobody’s Girl

 BEST LATIN

Anitta and Shakira – Choka Choka

Bad Bunny – NUEVAYoL

Fuerza Regida – Tu Sancho

Karol G – Papasito

Rosalía – La Perla

Ryan Castro, Kapo and Gangsta – La Villa

Shakira and Burna Boy – Dai Dai

Ariana Grande has landed a total of seven nominations

BEST K-POP

Blackpink – Jump

BTS – Swim

Cortis – Redred

Katseye – Pinky Up

Le Sserafim – Spaghetti

Lisa – Dream

 BEST COUNTRY

Ella Langley – Choosin’ Texas

Kacey Musgraves – Dry Spell

Lainey Wilson – Somewhere over Laredo

Luke Combs – Back in the Saddle

Shaboozey – Cowgirl

Stella Lefty – Boston

Tucker Wetmore – Brunette

BEST DIRECTION

Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love me

Bruno Mars – I Just Might

Gener8ion – Storm

Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)

Sabrina Carpenter – House Tour

Taylor Swift – Opalite

Sabrina Carpenter is tied with Grande, having scored seven nods

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me

A$AP Rocky – Punk Rocky

Lisa – Dream

Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)

Shaboozey – Cowgirl

Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia

BEST EDITING

Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me

Bruno Mars – I Just Might

Lisa – Dream

Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)

Sabrina Carpenter – House Tour

Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

Gener8ion – Storm

Harry Styles – Dance No More

Katseye – Pinky Up

Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)

Tate McRae – Nobody’s Girl

Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me

Jisoo and Zayn – Eyes Closed

Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)

PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson – Stateside

Raye – Click Clack Symphony

Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia

BEST ART DIRECTION

Charli XCX – SS26

Lady Gaga and Doechii – Runway

Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)

PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson – Stateside

Sombr – My Body Isn’t Ready

Taylor 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