VMAs 2026 live: Stars dare to bare on the red carpet as fans await Taylor Swift’s ‘special’ appearance

Taylor Swift will make history at the award show tonight as the first artist to receive the Artist Director Honors award at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. It will be Swift's 31st Moon Man trophy, breaking the Love Story hitmaker's tie with Beyonce as the most decorated artist in the history of the VMAs.

Madonna is also set to make her long-awaited return to the award show 23 years after she last stoked controversy at the ceremony. The 68-year-old pop icon last performed at the VMAs in 2003, when she shocked audiences by sharing same-sex kisses on stage with both Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

Madonna is in competition for a staggering 11 prizes, narrowly beating out Swift, who has nods in nine categories. The show is expected to kick off at 7.30pm ET/4.30pm PT, hosted by Snoop Dogg and featuring performances from artists like Lisa, Shaboozey, and RAYE, with tributes to the late music legends Dolly Parton and George Michael.

Follow the Daily Mail for more updates… This year marks the return of the VMAs to the West Coast for the first time in nine years, after it was last broadcast from Los Angeles, California, in 2017.

Tonight, the star-studded ceremony is being held at the Peacock Theatre, which recently also hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards. With celebrities flocking to the red carpet in their droves, there are some outstanding ensembles on display, complete with elegant trains, luxury materials and inspiring design choices.

But not everyone's outfits have been standing up to scrutiny under the sartorial spotlight. Explore more VMAs 2026 WORST dressed: The biggest red carpet fashion flops This year marks the return of the VMAs to the West Coast for the first time in nine years, after it was last broadcast from Los Angeles in 2017.