Music’s most iconic night began with an incredible launch.
Before host Snoop Dogg kicked off the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards and the coveted Moon Person trophies were bestowed, many of the night’s stars proved their fashion on the red carpet is out of this world.
After all, Taylor Swift kept it sleek and stunning in a halter dress with a black bodice and a dazzling silver skirt draped around her waist.
For her part, Teyana Taylor wore a black diamond-encrusted gown with feathered trim and an exposed torso.
Meanwhile, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Lisa Rinna donned a ceramic plated bodice piece and white skirt by fashion designer SEKS and wore a white wig to match.
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 leds the night’s nominees with 11 nominations—returned 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 winners.)
Plus, the “Like a Virgin” singer’s fellow Best Cinematography and Best Editing nominee LISA from Blackpink made the stage a moonlit floor while performing the TV debut of her new track “SaWaDika.”
Meanwhile, Best New Artist winner Sienna Spiro—who was nominated alongside Bella Kay, CORTIS, Magnus Ferrell, Malcolm Todd, Myles Smith and Stella Lefty—made her VMA performance debut, too.
Beyond what was a night of unforgettable music, this year’s VMAs made history in new ways as Swift—who has previously won four Moon Persons for Best Direction, including for “All Too Well: The Short Film” in 2022—received the first-ever Artist Director Honors.
The new honor was 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.
To see who else showed up and showed out at the 2026 VMAs, keep scrolling…
Taylor Swift
Teyana Taylor
Paris Hilton
Charli xcx
Dave Grohl & Jordyn Blum
Lisa Rinna
Ciara Miller
Nic Vansteenberghe
LISA
Raye
Sombr
Teddy Swims
PinkPantheress
Normani
Rachel Dratch
Tyla
Alex Warren
David Corenswet
Nicky Hilton
French Montana
Emma Bunton
Shaboozey
Bebe Rexha
Adam Lambert
Jesse Solomon
Flavor Flav & Chuck D
Nirvana
Sienna Spiro
Chloe Bailey
Olandria