Best Moments You Probably Missed at the 2026 VMA
October 3, 2026
The 2026 VMA was packed with big performances, surprise appearances, emotional tributes, and plenty of celebrity moments. With names like Taylor Swift, Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, Lisa, and Raye taking over the stage, it was easy to miss some of the smaller moments happening throughout the night.
Held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 27, this year’s VMA celebrated both established legends and rising stars. Madonna made her long-awaited return to the show, Taylor Swift added another major achievement to her VMA history, while performers such as Lisa and Raye created moments of their own.
If you only caught the biggest headlines, here are some of the VMA moments you might have missed.
1. Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter Opened the Show Together
One of the biggest surprises came right at the beginning of the VMA.
Madonna returned to the awards show for the first time in 23 years, and she did not come alone. She opened the ceremony alongside Sabrina Carpenter for a performance of their collaboration, “Bring Your Love.”
The performance brought together two generations of pop stars, making it a fitting way to start a ceremony that celebrated both the history and future of pop music.
But Madonna was not finished. She later performed “Danceteria Afterhours” with Charli XCX, with several celebrity appearances adding even more chaos and fun to the performance. Julia Garner, Debi Mazar, and Seth Rogen were among the familiar faces appearing during the number.
For anyone who loves unexpected collaborations, this opening was definitely one of the VMA moments worth remembering.
2. Lisa Turned the Stage Into New York City
Lisa also delivered one of the night’s most visually ambitious performances.
The BLACKPINK member performed “SaWADiKA,” transforming the VMA stage into what looked like a futuristic version of New York City. The performance used motion graphics, cars, and other stage elements to create the feeling that Lisa was moving through the city.
The visual production gave the performance a cinematic quality, making it feel more like a mini movie than a traditional award-show stage.
Lisa also had another reason to celebrate. She won Best Pop for “Dream,” featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi, marking another VMA victory for the K-pop star.
It was a great example of how Lisa combines performance, choreography, fashion, and visuals into one complete experience.
3. Raye Made Her VMA Debut Count
If you were looking for a new artist to discover during the VMA, Raye definitely deserved your attention.
The British singer-songwriter made her VMA debut with a joint performance featuring “I Will Overcome” and “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” Her performance showed off several sides of her artistry, moving between intensity, confidence, and playful energy.
“WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” also managed to get people inside the Peacock Theater on their feet.
For a first appearance at the VMAs, it was a major introduction to an international audience. Raye’s performance demonstrated why award shows can be an important platform for artists who are still building their presence with wider audiences.
4. Taylor Swift Had More Than One Big Moment
Taylor Swift’s presence at the VMA was impossible to miss, but there were actually several important moments packed into her appearance.
First, Swift and Dakota Johnson introduced the music video for Swift’s latest song, “Patient Zero.” She was also presented with the inaugural VMA Artist Director Honors, recognizing her work as an artist involved in directing and visual storytelling.
Swift later returned to the stage to accept Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia.” She also won Best Direction for “Opalite.”
Perhaps one of the most touching details was Swift dedicating her Video of the Year victory to Dolly Parton. She spoke about Parton’s influence and described her as the “ultimate showgirl,” connecting her own career to the legacy of an artist she admired.
So, while Swift’s awards were obviously one of the biggest stories of the night, her tribute to Parton added a more personal moment to an otherwise massive evening.
5. Kacey Musgraves Paid Tribute to Dolly Parton
Speaking of Dolly Parton, another emotional highlight came from Kacey Musgraves.
During the VMA, Musgraves performed Parton’s iconic song “I Will Always Love You” as part of a tribute to the late music legend.
The performance stood out because the ceremony actually allowed the tribute to breathe instead of rushing through it. Musgraves appeared in a look inspired by Parton and delivered a heartfelt rendition of the classic song.
The tribute also connected nicely with Taylor Swift’s later dedication to Parton, giving the night an unexpected emotional thread.
6. Sienna Spiro Became One of the Night’s New Faces to Watch
Award shows are not only about established superstars. They can also introduce audiences to artists who might become tomorrow’s biggest names.
That was the case for Sienna Spiro.
The rising singer delivered a solo performance of “Great Expectation” early in the show. With no elaborate collaboration needed, she relied heavily on her voice and stage presence.
Later in the evening, Spiro won Best New Artist, giving her VMA debut an even bigger ending.
For viewers who had not heard much about her before the ceremony, this was one of those moments that made the VMA feel like a discovery platform.
7. Shaboozey and Gunna Brought a Genre-Bending Performance
Another performance worth catching was Shaboozey’s collaboration with Gunna.
Shaboozey performed “Cowgirl” before bringing Gunna into the performance for “High Noon.” The set mixed country influences with hip-hop and turned the stage into something resembling a lively bar scene.
Even though Shaboozey did not take home the Best Country award—that honor went to Ella Langley—his performance still gave him a memorable moment at the VMA.
It was another reminder that genre boundaries in modern music are becoming increasingly flexible.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 VMA was much more than a list of award winners. From Madonna’s long-awaited return and Lisa’s cinematic performance to Raye’s impressive debut, Taylor Swift’s historic night, and emotional tributes to Dolly Parton, the ceremony offered plenty of moments beyond the main headlines.
And that is probably what makes the VMA so entertaining. You might tune in to see your favorite artist win an award, but you can easily end up discovering a new performer, witnessing an unexpected collaboration, or catching a celebrity moment you were not expecting.
So if you only saw the viral clips from this year’s VMA, there is probably still plenty you missed.
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