The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Sunday saw Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” claim the most prestigious trophy, with the singer dedicating the honour to the late country music legend Dolly Parton.
Swift took home three awards at this year’s VMAs, bringing her career total to an unmatched 33. She had previously been tied with Beyonce at 30 awards apiece.
The music video for “Ophelia”, the first single off The Life of a Showgirl album, was named video of the year.
As she held her newest Moon Person trophy, Swift praised Parton as “the ultimate showgirl” who told stories that were “so vivid and so rich”.
“I think that we were all very lucky to share this planet with Dolly Parton for a time,” Swift said.
Parton, an award-winning country singer, songwriter and businesswoman, died in August at the age of 80.
Earlier in the ceremony, Swift was awarded the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honours. The 36-year-old has written and directed 18 videos of her roughly 60 videos during her career. Her most recent single, “Patient Zero,” debuted during the ceremony. The video starred Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell.
She also won best direction for her “Opalite” video.
The VMAs were broadcast live on CBS and MTV and streamed on Paramount+. The award ceremony was hosted by Snoop Dogg. Winners in the top categories were selected by fan votes.
Pop music legend Madonna led this year’s field of winners with seven awards including artist of the year and best dance video for Confessions II - The Film. She recalled her 1984 performance of “Like a Virgin” at the first VMAs, which she said was considered too provocative for cable television at the time.
“I think most of you were probably not yet born,” the 68-year-old told the crowd before explaining that she had to quickly recover during that performance from a shoe mishap.
“I dove onto the stage to try and make myself look cute and sexy ... My butt cheek was hanging out,” she said. “My manager told me my career was over.”
Speaking about the Confessions II album, Madonna said she spent the past 18 months “finding myself, believing in myself and really making the music I wanted to make”.
“To me, that really is the definition of being an artist,” she said.
Madonna kicked off the show with a high-energy performance of two of her recent collaborations. Sabrina Carpenter joined her for “Bring Your Love” – a song later named best collaboration – and Charli XCX took the stage for “Danceteria Afterhours” surrounded by dancers on a set that looked like a club restroom.
In a more quiet moment, Kacey Musgraves paid tribute to Parton by singing the enduring song “I Will Always Love You”.
Lisa, a member of the group Blackpink, won the VMA for best pop video for her solo effort “Dream”. She spoke through tears as she thanked her fans, known as Lillies.
“I wouldn’t be here without you guys,” she said. “Thank you so much for your love and support.”
English singer and songwriter Sienna Spiro, who combines pop, jazz and soul music, was named best new artist.
