Madonna Returns to the VMAs After 23 Years, Performs With Sabrina Carpenter

Madonna finally returned to the MTV Video Music Awards stage after 23 years, and naturally, she made the comeback feel like a full-blown Madonna moment. The pop icon opened the 2026 VMAs at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater on September 27, bringing along Sabrina Carpenter for a performance of their collaboration, “Bring Your Love.”

For her long-awaited return, Madonna went for a dark, sexy stage look styled by her longtime collaborator Rita Melssen. She wore a black satin mini trench coat layered over a pink-toned bodysuit and structured black corset, finishing the outfit with thigh-high black boots. The combination brought together several familiar elements of Madonna's style — corsetry, lingerie-inspired dressing, sharp outerwear and dramatic boots.

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She also wore fishnet tights and gloves, adding another dose of old-school Madonna attitude to the performance. As the show progressed, she removed the outer layer to reveal more of the corset-focused ensemble, giving the costume a more dramatic stage presence.

Her blonde hair was styled in loose, tousled waves, while her makeup featured defined eyes and a polished complexion that complemented the edgy black-and-red styling.

Madonna opened the performance with Sabrina Carpenter, who arrived in a playful retro-inspired outfit featuring a white button-down shirt, black sequined shorts, suspenders, sheer tights and a black beret. The pairing was an obvious visual nod to Madonna's fashion history while still feeling fresh for Carpenter's generation.

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The performance continued with Charli XCX, who joined Madonna for “Danceteria Afterhours.” Julia Garner, Debi Mazar, Sombr, Fab 5 Freddy and Seth Rogen also appeared during the elaborate production.

Madonna's return was especially significant because her previous VMAs performance was the famous 2003 appearance with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Twenty-three years later, she once again used the VMAs stage to connect her legacy with a new generation of pop stars.

The night became even more memorable when Madonna and Carpenter later won Best Collaboration for “Bring Your Love,” bringing the two back together onstage to accept their Moon Person.