{"id":14697,"date":"2026-09-28T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T03:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/28\/vmas-2026-best-and-worst-moments-dolly-parton-tributes-madonnas-bizarre-speeches\/"},"modified":"2026-09-28T04:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T03:00:00","slug":"vmas-2026-best-and-worst-moments-dolly-parton-tributes-madonnas-bizarre-speeches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/28\/vmas-2026-best-and-worst-moments-dolly-parton-tributes-madonnas-bizarre-speeches\/","title":{"rendered":"VMAs 2026 best and worst moments: Dolly Parton tributes, Madonna&#8217;s bizarre speeches"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>The MTV VMAs 2026 featured a few great performances to keep it interesting, and some awkward moments that could have been left off the air.<\/p>\n<p>This year\u2019s ceremony was held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, marking the event\u2019s first return to the West Coast since 2017.<\/p>\n<p>Featuring knockout performances by Madonna, LISA, and more, the night still, of course, belonged to Taylor Swift. The pop star <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/09\/27\/entertainment\/taylor-swift-debuts-patient-zero-music-video-with-dakota-johnson-colin-farrell-at-mtv-vmas\/\">debuted her music video<\/a> for her new song, \u201cPatient Zero,\u201d and made VMAs history as <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/09\/27\/entertainment\/taylor-swift-surpasses-beyonce-as-most-awarded-artist-in-mtv-vmas-history\/\">the most-awarded artist ever.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Here are the best and worst moments from this year\u2019s VMAs.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Taylor Swift was the star of the show at this year\u2019s MTV Video Music Awards. <span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WORST: The show\u2019s catastrophic 20-minute delay<\/h2>\n<p>Viewers were left confused and frustrated before the show even started. The VMAs were scheduled to broadcast live at 7:30pm ET on CBS and MTV, but was delayed by over 20 minutes due to the Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys NFL game running long.<\/p>\n<p>Fans saw footage of the show on social media before it even aired, leading to a barrage of angry posts on X including, \u201cWho in the fvk scheduled the vmas after a football game??? Like wdym we are missing a Sabrina\/madonna opening?\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">BEST: Madonna opens the show with a  risqu\u00e9 performance <\/h2>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Madonna brought out Sabrina Carpenter to sing \u201cBring Your Love.\u201d <span class=\"credit\">Stewart Cook\/CBS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>She also brought out Charli XCX to sing \u201cDanceteria Afterhours.\u201d <span class=\"credit\">Francis Specker\/CBS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Once the show finally started, Madonna kicked it off with a bang, marking her first live VMA performance in 23 years.<\/p>\n<p>The icon <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/09\/27\/entertainment\/madonna-kicks-off-vmas-2026-with-risque-performance-alongside-sabrina-carpenter-charli-xcx\/\">brought out A-list collaborators<\/a>, including Sabrina Carpenter for their song \u201cBring Your Love,\u201d and Charli XCX for their song \u201cDanceteria Afterhours.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She also brought out surprise guests like her longtime friend Debi Mazar as well as actress Julia Garner \u2014 who was supposed to play her in <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/06\/22\/celebrity-news\/madonna-reveals-why-biopic-starring-julia-garner-was-scrapped\/\">her now-canceled biopic<\/a> \u2014 for the highly entertaining medley.<\/p>\n<p>Madonna did what she did best \u2014 push the envelope \u2014 with dancers that had lasers shooting out of their nether regions, and bumping and grinding on an elaborate stage meant to look like bathroom stalls.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WORST: Snoop Dogg hosts the show<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Snoop Dogg hosted this year\u2019s ceremony. <span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Taylor Swift accepts the award for video of the year for \u201cThe Fate of Ophelia,\u201d from Snoop Dogg. <span class=\"credit\">AP Photo\/Chris Pizzello<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The rapper was a capable but boring host. His scripted jokes throughout the show failed to elicit more than a few chuckles, and his opening monologue fell flat \u2014 though he did land a zinger against Madonna after her racy performance.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMadonna just killed it, now that is an icon,\u201d he said as the crowd cheered, before quipping, \u201cOne thing I want to say is, she ain\u2019t no virgin no more.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">BEST: Kacey Musgraves pays tribute to Dolly Parton with an emotional performance<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Kacey Musgraves sang a beautiful version of Dolly Parton\u2019s \u201cI Will Always Love You\u201d to pay tribute to the late country icon. <span class=\"credit\">CBS via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Footage of Parton was also shown during the trubute. <span class=\"credit\">Page Six<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Musgraves <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/09\/27\/entertainment\/kacey-musgraves-pays-tribute-to-dolly-parton-with-emotional-performance-at-vmas-2026\/\">led the tribute to the late country music icon<\/a>, who <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/08\/25\/celebrity-news\/country-music-icon-dolly-parton-dead\/\">died in August<\/a> at age 80 after <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/08\/25\/celebrity-news\/dolly-partons-cause-of-death-revealed\/\">a secret battle with cancer.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Musgraves sounded flawless as she sang a stripped-down version of Parton\u2019s 1974 hit \u201cI Will Always Love You,\u201d letting her vocals shine with only a piano to back her. <\/p>\n<p>The performance was perfect in its simplicity and raw emotion, with the singer fighting back tears by the end of it.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WORST: Nirvana\u2019s underwhelming Video Vanguard Award acceptance speech<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Nirvana members Dave Grohl, Krist Nvoselic and Pat Smear accepted the VIdeo Vanguard Award. <span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Nirvana was<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/09\/27\/entertainment\/nirvana-honored-with-video-vanguard-award-at-mtv-vmas-2026\/\"> the recipient of MTV\u2019s most coveted award<\/a> on Sunday \u2014 the Video Vanguard Award \u2014 the first band to receive the honor since Duran Duran in 2003.<\/p>\n<p>But Nirvana fans were left wanting more after members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear were present to accept the award. After an introduction from Chuck D, the three remaining members paid tribute to their late frontman, Kurt Cobain, but it wasn\u2019t anything particularly memorable.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WORST: Madonna\u2019s rambling acceptance speeches<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Madonna\u2019s messy acceptance speeches went on and on. <span class=\"credit\">Stewart Cook\/CBS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Madonna won multiple Moon Men Sunday, including for Best Collaboration (with Carpenter), Artist of the Year, and Best Dance. But her messy acceptance speeches went uncomfortably long and included unnecessary tidbits that at times confused the audience.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFirst of all I would like to thank my fingers, because I can always count on them,\u201d she said while accepting the Artist of the Year award.<\/p>\n<p>She later won the Best Dance award, and admitted she forgot what the award was for.<\/p>\n<p>The Material Girl might need a nap.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">BEST: Taylor Swift debuts \u2018Patient Zero\u2019 music video<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Dakota Johnson stars in Swift\u2019s new music video for her song \u201cPatient Zero.\u201d <span class=\"credit\">Taylor Swift<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Johnson also presented Swift with the Artist Director Honors award. <span class=\"credit\">AP Photo\/Chris Pizzello<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>What can\u2019t she do? <\/p>\n<p>Swift debuted the music video for <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/09\/25\/entertainment\/taylor-swift-issues-brutal-warning-about-toxic-ex-in-scathing-patient-zero-lyrics\/\">her new song, \u201cPatient Zero,\u201d<\/a> after winning<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/09\/27\/entertainment\/inside-taylor-swifts-special-2026-mtv-vmas-appearance\/\"> the first-ever Artist Director Honors award<\/a> presented by her good friend, Dakota Johnson. <\/p>\n<p>The music video <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/09\/24\/entertainment\/taylor-swift-2-two-a-listers-for-patient-zero-music-video-as-she-gives-epic-first-look\/\">stars Johnson<\/a> as well as Colin Farrell, who plays a villainous abusive husband to Johnson.  <\/p>\n<p>Swifties no doubt gobbled up the new music video, which didn\u2019t disappoint with its A-list talent and twist ending.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WORST: Sombr\u2019s George Michaels tribute<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Sombr sang George Michaels\u2019 \u201cFaith\u201d and \u201cFather Figure.\u201d <span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Sombr, Raye, Teddy Swims and Adam Lambert were chosen to pay tribute to the legendary British singer, who <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2016\/12\/25\/george-michael-dead-at-53\/\">died in 2016<\/a>. He was 53 years old.<\/p>\n<p>The tribute opened with Sombr singing Michael\u2019s classics \u201cFaith\u201d and \u201cFather Figure,\u201d but he completely lacked energy. <\/p>\n<p>Lambert later attempted to bring life back onto the stage with his high-energy cover of \u201cFreedom! \u201990,\u201d but the tribute was definitely lacking given Michaels\u2019 iconic legacy.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">BEST:  Swift honors \u2018ultimate showgirl\u2019 Parton<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Swift shared sweet words to the late Parton during her \u201cVideo of the Year\u201d acceptance speech. <span class=\"credit\">AP Photo\/Chris Pizzello<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Swift dedicated her Video of the Year award for \u201cThe Fate of Ophelia\u201d to Parton, calling Parton \u201cthe ultimate showgirl.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe handles this thing with such grace and joy and love and gratitude for the fact that she got to do this,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Swift closed the night on a perfect, heartwarming note <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe were all very, very lucky to share this planet with Dolly Parton for a time,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WORST: Lack of celebs in the audience<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>There were very few cutaways to celebs during the live broadcast. <span class=\"credit\">AP Photo\/Chris Pizzello<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We miss the days of Swift <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2024\/09\/11\/entertainment\/taylor-swift-dances-during-katy-perry-2024-vma-performance\/\">enthusiastically dancing in the audience<\/a> with her celeb pals.<\/p>\n<p>This year\u2019s show surprisingly lacked cuts to celebs in the audience during the performances, a missed opportunity for fans to see the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2024\/01\/08\/entertainment\/lip-reader-reveals-selena-gomez-taylor-swift-golden-globes-convo\/\">always viral candid reactions.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/09\/27\/entertainment\/vmas-2026-best-and-worst-moments-dolly-parton-tributes-madonnas-bizarre-speeches\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The MTV VMAs 2026 featured a few great performances to keep it interesting, and some awkward moments that could have been left off the air. This year\u2019s ceremony was held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, marking the event\u2019s first return to the West Coast since 2017. Featuring knockout performances by Madonna, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14698,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/vma.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200","fifu_image_alt":"","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[85,895,645,16922,4090,12791,573,6141,16923,4563,8122,3298,4080,10115,3103,2422,12792,2774,16925,6474,16924,16768,16881,734],"class_list":["post-14697","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrity","tag-awards","tag-bizarre","tag-celebrity-news","tag-dakota-johnson","tag-dolly","tag-dolly-parton","tag-entertainment","tag-george-michael","tag-kacey-musgraves","tag-madonna","tag-madonnas","tag-moments","tag-mtv","tag-music","tag-nirvana","tag-page-swift","tag-parton","tag-snoop-dogg","tag-speeches","tag-tributes","tag-video-music-awards","tag-vmas","tag-vmas-2026","tag-worst"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14697","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14697"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14697\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14698"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14697"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14697"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14697"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}