Madonna Returns to MTV VMAs with Medley Featuring Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX
Madonna performed a medley of songs with Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, marking her first appearance at the show in 23 years.
Madonna made her first appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards since 2003, opening the 2026 ceremony with a medley that included "One Step Away," "Bring Your Love" and "Danceteria." The performance featured guest singers Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX and incorporated references to the artist's earlier work and New York club culture.
Carpenter joined Madonna at a piano, while Madonna sang "Bring Your Love" and performed a staged sequence that included costumed dancers and a brief interlude with a choir. Charli XCX entered for "Danceteria," during which the stage was transformed to evoke an early-1980s New York disco setting.
"Dance is where everything happened for me in my life. I came to life on the dance floor," Madonna said during the show.
The performance was followed by Madonna receiving the Best Dance award, where she thanked her collaborators and made remarks about the ceremony.
The appearance was noted by observers as a significant moment for the VMAs, given Madonna's historic debut at the awards in 1984 and her influence on the event's legacy.