Fastrack · MTV VMAs 2026: Best Dressed Moments From Red Carpet

Stars arrived Sunday at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles for the 2026 MTV VMAs, the awards show's first return to the city since 2017.

11 nominations put Madonna ahead of all other artists this year.
9 nominations trail Swift behind Madonna heading into the show.
30 VMA wins each currently tie Swift and Beyoncé for the all-time record.
Snoop Dogg is hosting; Madonna is set to open the show.

Why it matters: The Artist Director Honors award is new this year. Receiving it would move Swift past her tie with Beyoncé as the most decorated artist in VMA history.

Beyoncé has no nominations this year, so she cannot add to her total of 30.

How 9 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

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Mixed

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 9 sources

9 sources · 14 articles · 45% Left coverage

Center coverage, 3 sources: The center focuses on the visual spectacle and celebrity arrivals, treating the carpet as an entertainment event without deeper context.

TMZ4h2026 MTV VMAs: All The Best Of The Arrivals

Forbes4h2026 VMAs Red Carpet: See Every Look From MTV’s Big Night (Updating)

USA Today2hTaylor Swift sparkles in black-and-silver gown at 2026 VMAs – See the look

Left coverage, 4 sources: The left frames the carpet as a showcase of artistic range and identity, highlighting genre-bending and emerging artists alongside established names.

Rolling Stone3hThe Best, Coolest, and Most Unexpected Looks From the 2026 VMAs Red Carpet

Complex1h2026 MTV Video Music Awards Carpet Highlights: Teyana Taylor, Slayyyter, Charli xcx, RAYE, More

The Cut2hTaylor Swift Brought Her Lob to the VMAs

The Daily Beast2hThe Most Heinous Nearly Nude Looks From the MTV VMAs 2026 Red Carpet

Right coverage, 2 sources: The right leads with daring fashion and skin-baring looks, framing the carpet primarily around celebrity appearance and the Swift-Beyoncé records narrative.

Daily Mail1hParis Hilton goes intergalactic glam for the 2026 MTV VMAs in sparkly silver look as she brings sister Nicky as her red carpet date

The Sun2hTaylor Swift steals the VMA spotlight in a black and silver gown on red carpet ahead of big show

What’s next: Swift and Madonna face off in the Video of the Year category alongside Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Bruno Mars, and GENER8ION.

Raye will lead a George Michael tribute performance alongside Sombr and Teddy Swims.
How many of Madonna's 11 nominations will she convert into wins, and will she reach or surpass Swift and Beyoncé's record of 30?
Will any red carpet look or performance moment overshadow Swift's historic honor as the story of the night?