Madonna opens 2026 MTV VMAs with Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx
In brief
Madonna opened the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards with performances featuring Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx. It was her first performance at the VMAs in 23 years. Sombr and other guests also appeared during the opening set.
Generated automatically by AI from 6 sources, without editorial review · updated 28 Sept
What changed
- 28 Sept, 00:16Madonna Kicks Off MTV VMAs With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx · TMZ
How outlets framed it
favorable: Billboard, Rolling Stone, TMZ.
Show how each outlet framed it
- Billboardfavorable80%
„Star-Studded Set Featuring Sabrina Carpenter, Charli xcx”
Madonna Opens 2026 VMAs With Star-Studded Set Featuring Sabrina Carpenter, Charli xcx, Seth Rogen & More ↗
Rolling Stonefavorable86%„Team Up for Star-Studded MTV VMAs Opener”
Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX Team Up for Star-Studded MTV VMAs Opener ↗
TMZfavorable80%„a sexy, star-studded opener featuring Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx”
Madonna Kicks Off MTV VMAs With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx ↗
The Hollywood Reporterneutral93%„Madonna Opens 2026 VMAs With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX”
Madonna Opens 2026 VMAs With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX ↗- Vogueneutral78%
„Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX and More Opened”
Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX and More Opened the 2026 MTV VMAs ↗
Varietyneutral99%„Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx to perform their respective duets”
Madonna Opens MTV Video Music Awards With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx, Plus Sombr, Debi Mazar and More ↗
favorable: The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Vogue, Rolling Stone, Variety.
Show how each outlet framed it
The Hollywood Reporterfavorable96%„The pop icon performed "Bring Your Love" and "Danceteria Afterhours," kicking off the show in epic fashion.”
Madonna Opens 2026 VMAs With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX ↗- Billboardfavorable98%
„The Queen of Pop made her grand return to the VMAs stage”
Madonna Opens 2026 VMAs With Star-Studded Set Featuring Sabrina Carpenter, Charli xcx, Seth Rogen & More ↗ - Voguefavorable96%
„the Queen of Pop”
Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX and More Opened the 2026 MTV VMAs ↗
Rolling Stonefavorable90%„Team Up for Star-Studded MTV VMAs Opener”
Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX Team Up for Star-Studded MTV VMAs Opener ↗
Varietyfavorable97%„the pop icon began her performance”
Madonna Opens MTV Video Music Awards With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx, Plus Sombr, Debi Mazar and More ↗
favorable: The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, TMZ.
Show how each outlet framed it
The Hollywood Reporterfavorable78%„the audience within the Peacock Theater was treated to an epic performance from Madonna and Charli XCX”
Madonna Opens 2026 VMAs With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX ↗- Billboardfavorable78%
„Star-Studded Set Featuring Sabrina Carpenter, Charli xcx”
Madonna Opens 2026 VMAs With Star-Studded Set Featuring Sabrina Carpenter, Charli xcx, Seth Rogen & More ↗
TMZfavorable80%„a sexy, star-studded opener featuring Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx”
Madonna Kicks Off MTV VMAs With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx ↗- Vogueneutral78%
„Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX and More Opened”
Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX and More Opened the 2026 MTV VMAs ↗
One source, one vote (its latest article in the story). Only labels with confidence ≥ 0.6 are shown; the quote is the evidence.
Chronological coverage
- 28 September