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PHOTO: Dakota Johnson, right, with Taylor Swift, the recipient of the MTV VMA Artist Director Honors during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Want to see what The Pop-Litical Buzz team thought of the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards? Editor-in-Chief, Alisha Allison and contributing writer, Taylor Staples dished out their reactions to all the performances and wins on Slack. Read what the pair thought in real-time.
The reactions in this blog were captured live during the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards; however, this blog was not published simultaneously with the event. All timestamps reflect Eastern Standard Time. Reactions from Slack have been edited for length and clarity.
7:51 PM – Showtime
Off to a late start due to the Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys game running overtime, Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter kicked off the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards by delivering a high energy performance of “Bring Your Love.” Then, Charli XCX came out to sing “Danceteria” with the two popstars.
Taylor staples
Sabrina’s stage presence is just incredible.
My jaw is dropped every time. I actually like this performance better than the recording. WOOAAHH and the choir???
ALISHA ALLISON
First off, wow! And Charli [XCX] was a great surprise.
This is such a bop! I didn’t know Madonna and Charli [XCX] had a song together.
8:02 PM – Snoop Dog Delivers His Opening Monologue
Host Snoop Dog officially opened the show by giving Madonna her flowers, and promises a dance party-esque awards show. He didn’t waste any time making jokes and references like telling attendees nothing was under their seats (gifts bags are given at some major award shows).
Taylor staples
Definitely interested to see how Snoop is as a host.
ALISHA ALLISON
Same!
“Nothing there” made me chuckle.
No swag bags I guess.
Taylor staples
I’m sorry…a deez nuts joke in 2026? 😭
8:06 PM – LISA Wins Best Pop
The first award of the night, Best Pop, was given to LISA for her single “Dream” featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi. “All those late-night dreams brought me here today, so thank you for the inspiration,” she said during a short speech, thanking her fans, Lilies and MTV.
Alisha ALLISON
I don’t know this song but adding it to my playlist.
Taylor Staples
I’m surprised but not disappointed?
Alisha ALLISON
Also surprised! But K-pop fans are a powerful fanbase.
Taylor Staples
so true
Alisha ALLISON
I guess former K-pop. She was in BLACKPINK right? I’m not sure if she does K-pop anymore.
Taylor Staples
yes!! and I think she does more regular pop right now.
8:13 PM – Raye Performs a Medley
British singer Raye started off her performance with “I Will Overcome” before singing her viral song “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”
Alisha ALLISON
Excited for this performance because of her “Oscar Winning Tears” one at the Grammys
That note!
Taylor Staples
HER VOICE IS SO GOOD!!!!
Alisha ALLISON
I love this outfit change!
It really is!! She sounds amazing!
WAIT! The slow down! Oh my
Taylor Staples
that riff? incredible
8:17 PM – Bruno Mars Performs “Dance With Me”
Keeping the retro vibe Raye began with, Bruno Mars delivers a soulful performance of “Dance With Me” and our team couldn’t hold back their excitement.
Taylor Staples
UGH I LOVE BRUNO
Alisha ALLISON
His belting is everything!!
A GUITAR SOLO!
My jaw just dropped
Taylor Staples
every single performance has been INCREDIBLE
Alisha ALLISON
Another guitar solo AND the drums! I have feel every performance tonight is going to be amazing. We are off to SUCH a good start
8:26 PM – Kacey Musgraves Performs a Dolly Parton Tribute
Country singer Kacey Musgraves performed a touching cover of “I Will Always Love You” to honor the late icon Dolly Patron.
Alisha ALLISON
DOLLY!! RIP 💔
Not I’ll always love you! I’M ABOUT TO CRY
Taylor Staples
SAME 😭😭
Alisha ALLISON
Snoop’s right! That’s how you do a tribute.
8:32 PM – Shaboozey Brings Western Energy alongside Gunna
In a western-themed performance, Shaboozey performed “High Noon,” with Gunna, plus “Cowgirl.” Both songs are off of his fourth studio album, The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales.
Taylor Staples
Not really my type of music, but the visuals were fun!
8:35 PM – Best Collaboration Is Awarded
Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter joined each other one stage once again; this time to accept the Best Collaboration award for “Bring Your Love.”
Before it was announced, our team had other guesses for who would take home the award.
Alisha ALLISON
Carpenters- RISE UP!!
Lowkey surprised it didn’t go to Zara and PinkPantheress tho
Taylor Staples
Oh my goooddd that was my exact reaction!!
Alisha ALLISON
Stateside was EVERYWHERE
Or maybe I was just on TikTok a lot lol
Taylor Staples
same but you’re also so right
8:46 PM – LISA Delivers An Action-Packed Performance of “SaWaDiKa”
LISA brought action to the VMAs with her performance of “SaWaDiKa” by including heavy dance fight choreography in the number.
Alisha ALLISON
The visuals tonight! The performances haven’t really missed
Taylor Staples
The rotating platform/background?? oh my god
Alisha ALLISON
I had the same reaction!
And this dance fight choreo is so cool
8:51 PM – Nirvana Is Given The Video Vanguard Award
After a video dedication to the influential 90s rock band, Nirvana was presented with the Video Vanguard Award. The surviving members of the band accepted the award, paying homage to lead vocalist Kurt Cobain who died by suicide in 1994.
“The ideas for those videos all grew out of the vision of one of the greatest artists of all time, Kurt Cobain,” Krist Novoselic said during their speech. “Kurt was one of one. None of us could have imagined that our band, our sound, or our aesthetic would mean so much to so many people.”
9:05 PM – Artist of the Year Goes to Madonna
The Queen of Pop, Madonna, won Artist of the Year, and our team gave her her flowers.
Taylor Staples
This is so crazy to witness!! Madonna is 69 and still just as iconic as her first day in the industry
Alisha ALLISON
43 years after performing at the first VMAs and she’s still killing it!
9:12 PM – Sienna Spiro Performs
Sienna Spiro, known for the song “Die On This Hill,” performed her other hit, “Great Expectations.”
Alisha ALLISON
Such a good performance! And I love her dress and aesthetic
Taylor Staples
The VMAS really stepped it up this year. People complain about how the performances are all “unknowns” or “TikTok” singers, but all of these people can sing live so well
Alisha ALLISON
Kind of a vibe and creative but to be fair I’m not the biggest country fan
Same! The genre mix is interesting
9:23 PM – Artist Director Honor Goes to Taylor Swift
Materialists actress Dakota Johnson presented the nominees for Artist Director Honor and our writer, Taylor Staples had a fun question.
Taylor Staples
Do we think this is awkward for Role Model right now, LOL
jkkkk
Taylor Swift won the award. In her speech, she highlighted that she has been a part of the music video creation process for 60 of her videos during a 20-year span. Eighteen of her music videos she wrote and directed. “The main reason why I love writing and directing music videos so much is because you, the fans, make it so much fun,” she said.
Alisha ALLISON
Her MVs* are just THAT good. Always [have] been.
*music videos
9:25 PM – World Premiere of the “Patient Zero” Music Video
To cap off her speech, Taylor Swift presented the world premiere of the “Patient Zero” music video. And we had thoughts!
As of the early afternoon of Sept. 28, the music video is not on YouTube yet but you can watch it on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon. We’ll update this blog once the video is available on YouTube to include an embed.
Alisha ALLISON
Smart move by MTV to get her fans to tune into the show. I wonder what the ratings will look like.
Ok, now I get why Dakota presented her award.
Alisha ALLISON
A perk of having famous friends is getting them to star your videos. I think I saw Cara behind Taylor in one shot.
Alisha ALLISON
Wait the shot of Taylor on top of the car!
Woah, the ending with Taylor being in Dakota’s place MADE this video.
And Dakota at the headstone.
Taylor Staples
This mv made me like the song a LOT better
To be honest, I always liked the chorus, the only part I didn’t like was that one verse that everyone hates.
Alisha ALLISON
Definitely! I hadn’t listened to it outside of a few snippets.
Taylor Staples
I think the internet just makes everything so insufferable to enjoy.
Alisha ALLISON
Yeah I saw hate for the bridge and that was the only part I knew.
I agree. Once one person hates on something, everyone does.
9:36 PM – Troye Sivan and Charli XCX Present Best Dance
Troye Sivan and Charli XCX presented the award for Best Dance. Editor-in-Chief Alisha Allison noticed the iconic pairing (the two pop stars are friends and toured together for the SWEAT tour).
Alisha ALLISON
One of my fav pop duos!
The award was given to Madonna for her album “Confessions II.” “I came to life on the dance floor. I found my community on the dance floor. I fell in love with people on the dance floor,” Madonna said in her acceptance speech with Sivan and Charli standing by her side.
Alisha ALLISON
I think Madonna is going to walk away with the most awards tonight.
Alisha ALLISON
Not Madonna being unsure what the award is for lol.
Taylor Staples
ooohhh she 100% might be getting the most
Alisha ALLISON
“We are all equal on the dance floor?!?” DWTS might say otherwise lol.
9:43 PM – A Tribute to George Michael
To honor George Michael and the upcoming anniversary of his album “Faith,” Sombr, Raye and Teddy Swims performed a medley of his hits from that body of work. What viewers didn’t expect was that Adam Lambert would take the stage and sing “Careless Whisper,” since he was not announced as a one of the performers paying tribute.
Taylor Staples
I’m vibing with it.
9:57 PM – Sienna Spiro Wins Best New Artist
The “Die On This Hill” singer won Best New Artists, which did not surprise team members Alisha and Taylor.
Alisha ALLISON
I feel Sienna Spiro is going to win because she performed earlier.
Alisha ALLISON
She looks shocked.
Ahh Alex [Warren] is so happy for her.
Taylor Staples
Totally expected! She blew up on TikTok.
10:02 PM – GENER8ION & Yung Lean Perform “Storm”
French duo, GENER8ION and Yung Lean performed the song “Storm” which was nominated for four awards that night including Video of the Year.
Alisha ALLISON
I feel like I am watching a music video right now.
The spitting in the camera and smearing is so 90s and 2000s.
Taylor Staples
I respect the artistic vision and song but I was chuckling a little bit with the zoom ins.
10:08 PM – Taylor Swift Wins Video of The Year
The biggest award of the night, Video of the Year, went to Taylor Swift for “The Fate of Ophelia” but we had other guesses in mind.
Alisha ALLISON
I feel Ariana [Grande] or Sabrina [Carpenter] will win.
Heavy on the Sabrina
That “Tears” dance break
So I saw wrong with my guess lol
Taylor Staples
really want the Ari win
actually no, Bruno
In Swift’s speech, she gave insight into its creation. “I loved making this video because I wanted it to seem like one continuous shot. So I learned a lot about hiding cuts in places,” she said before thanking people who worked on the video like dance choreographer Mandy Moore.
She then offered heartfelt remarks about Dolly Patron. “And lastly, but most importantly, I want to thank and dedicate this award to one person without whom just this wouldn’t be happening. And that person is the ultimate showgirl, Dolly Parton,” she said. “It was like– listening to her songs, it’s like watching the best music video you have ever seen in your life every single time you hear what she has written.”
Alisha ALLISON
Awww the dolly mention
“The ultimate showgirl”
Taylor Staples
ughh my heart
10:13 PM – Snoop Dog Closes Out The Show
Snoop Dog didn’t waste any time, quickly wrapping up the show after Taylor Swift’s win, and of course, we couldn’t help but notice.
Alisha ALLISON
Wow, Snoop basically did a mic drop.
He’s so over this
The end was kind of abrupt.
Maybe since it started late.
Taylor Staples
def cause they’re over time
