Brutally honest reviews of every VMAs performance, including Madonna and Raye - USA Today

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards tapped one of the most legendary stars – Madonna – to open its 2026 soiree, but plenty of upstarts were on the performance docket.

From K-pop (Lisa of Blackpink) to hip-hop (Gunna) to Brit-pop (Raye), this year’s show generated its usual array of genre-hopping that has defined MTV.

Broadcast live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles Sept. 27 – the first time the show has been held out west since 2017 – the 42nd VMAs also looked to another veteran, the inimitable Snoop Dogg, to host.

While Madonna led the nominations with 11, followed by Taylor Swift (nine) and Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter (seven each), the spotlight moments came with tributes to Video Vanguard honoree Nirvana as well as the late Dolly Parton and George Michael.

This year also boasted a new award – the MTV VMA Artist Director Honors – bestowed upon Taylor Swift, who used the platform to premiere her new video for “Patient Zero” starring Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell.

But as for performances, here’s a brutally honest look at how each fared.

Best new artist winner – obviously making her VMAs debut – Spiro channeled her inner Amy Winehouse to sway through “Great Expectation,” her soul-pop offering from her debut album, “Visitor,” released in July.

Standing atop a cool set designed like an album, the British songstress belted her blend of soul and pop (could she and Raye start their own new British Invasion?) with confidence and elegance. Expect to see Spiro on many an award show stage in the future.

One fourth of Blackpink, Lisa has celebrated a breakout solo career since the release of her 2025 album debut, “Alter Ego." She brought a combination of art pop and rave up to “SaWaDiKa,” the first single from her EP “Press Play,” out Oct. 23.

The song, which means “hello” in Thai, was unfurled with hyperactive spirit as Lisa glided across the set with her headset on and her dancers eagerly bouncing around her during the song’s chanting chorus.

The crisp dancing impressed, but the performance confused excitement with indistinguishable frenzy.

In perhaps the best merging of set and song, Shaboozey’s Wild West barroom perfectly suited his twangy, shuffling “Cowgirl.” With biceps bared and cowboy hatted, Shaboozey wove through simulated bar fights and strutted outside this sepia-toned saloon to launch into “High Noon.”

His partner on the clip-clop, hip-hop crossover hit, Gunna, rolled in on a stagecoach, clad in a long leather coat to match Shaboozey’s.

As the pair loped through the song, the bar behind them erupted in flames as the duo shared a handshake and blew some kisses as the flames flicked behind them.

Since Dolly Parton’s Aug. 25 death, there has been no shortage of well-meaning tributes. While Musgraves was perfectly suited to pay homage to the country icon, the fact that she chose “I Will Always Love You” was both surprising and stirring.

We’ve become so used to either Parton’s sweet-spoken original (video footage of her singing the ballad opened the segment) or Whitney Houston’s full-throttle remake, that hearing Musgraves’ soft, husky vocals initially sounded disconcerting.

But this gentle version, backed by piano and (unseen) strings, was elegant and touching. Musgraves even brought tribute vibes to her outfit – a sparkly gown with wrist feathers, cats-eye makeup and her long hair brushed into a retro style. Parton no doubt would approve.

The exquisite British songstress made her VMAs performance debut surrounded by a cadre of violin players as she belted bits of “I Will Overcome” while clad in a long, white fur coat.

But within moments, the outerwear dropped to spotlight a Raye clad in a clingy red dress – and her usual bare feet – surrounded by her fantastic big band, all matching the crimson stage and lighting.

Flanked by her two wingwomen, Raye burst into her breakthrough smash, “Where is My Husband!,” the trio wagging ring fingers and slaying with vocals both potent and charismatic. The rendition of the song purposely slowed in bits to enhance the drama of the always captivating Raye.

MTV icon Madonna opened her eight-minute performance by proclaiming, “It’s mother…” before bouncing into a “Confessions II”-heavy set filled with smoke, lasers, a gospel choir and many celebrity guests. 

Madonna emerged atop a piano being played by Sabrina Carpenter, her partner on hit “Bring Your Love.” The pair scampered through the song – Madonna flinging her long blond hair, Carpenter in a signature glitter-shorts outfit – before Madonna unveiled her own red ensemble as she writhed on a table that encircled a gospel choir for reasons not entirely clear.

But Carpenter wasn’t the only pop starlet Madonna invited to the party. 

Charlie XCX, tossing a cigarette as she strode out in sunglasses and fishnets, sashayed with Madonna through a “Danceteria” filled with nods to Madonna’s history – and a “was that Seth Rogen?” cameo (yes, it was). From the bathroom hand dryer (hi, “Desperately Seeking Susan”) to a platform of dancers dressed as Madonna through her numerous incarnations, the nods were obvious and fun, particularly the snippet of Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” – a fitting wink to Madonna’s mirror ball ode to New York City.