The music industry’s hottest stars descended on the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night.
This year marked 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.
The star-studded ceremony was held at the Peacock Theatre, which recently also hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards.
Madonna, Taylor Swift and Paris Hilton were all among the famous faces in attendance.
As celebrities flocked to the red carpet in their droves ahead of the show, there were some outstanding ensembles on display, complete with elegant trains, luxury materials and inspiring design choices.
But not everyone’s outfits stood up to scrutiny under the sartorial spotlight.
Instead, a selection of stars were plagued by fashion faux pas.
Here, the Daily Mail has rounded up the worst dressed stars at this evening’s MTV Video Music Awards.
Beloved Real Housewives star Lisa Rinna, 63, opted for a very unconventional all-white ensemble that consisted of a plunging molded breast plate and flowing skirt with risque thigh-high split
Hitmaker Adam Lambert, 44, kept it mysterious in a gothic ensemble of an oversized black cloak and statement headpiece before finishing the look with dark eye makeup and black painted nails
Singer Tyla, 24, made a rare fashion misstep in a blue snakeskin print skirt and bra two-piece before adding a choker and pointed-toe heels in the same style
Filipino-American singer Bella Poarch, 29, confused fans with her mismatched ensemble that appeared to be a patchwork of materials – including lace and ribbon – draped across a tight corset
Singer-songwriter Sombr, 21, was another star to flash his chest on the red carpet after opting for a pair of leather pants and oversized striped fur coat before accessorizing with a series of drooping necklaces and ‘sex’ belt
Turkish rapper and singer Inji, 25, looked uncomfortable in a brown crocodile-leather-inspired trench coat and matching shorts before adding a pair of purple platform heels
Content creator Ashton Ray, 23, made quite the statement as he arrived topless to the red carpet before adding white baggy pants, flowing train and oversized fur-style coat
K-pop star Lisa, 29, of Blackpink fame, was completely dwarfed by her daring red puffball cape, complete with train, that she wore over the top of a sheer mesh dress of the same color
Podcast host and social media star Brooke Schofield, 29, dared to bare with her unusual beige one-piece by Nicola Bacchilega that boasted a ribbed see-through corset and oodles of extra material on the skirt that flashed a glimpse of her underwear
British singer-songwriter Meek, 32, was swamped by her white tulle puffball-style dress which she paired with monochrome gladiator-style heels and black leather gloves
South Korean star Rei Ami, 31, risked a wardrobe malfunction on the red carpet after wearing a daring black macrame-style sheer outfit featuring an intricate star-shaped pattern weave
Actress Rachel Dratch, 60, wore a busty gray dress with asymmetric hem that reflected the light off a draped overlay before finishing the look with a bolero and block heels that appeared to be the wrong size
Singer-songwriter Haiden Henderson, 25, arrived in a chaotic ensemble that featured mismatched pointed-toe boots, tight leather trousers complete with metallic studs, a denim jacket that flashed his midriff and a bold red cape
Internet sensation Savannah Demers, 26, looked a little washed-out by her $1,880 halter mini by Ema Savahl which boasted dimensional flowers in full bloom and flowing skirt
TikTok star Jessica Golich, 37, showcased her bold sense of style on the VMA red carpet as she arrvied in a range of clashing colors and patterns – from leopard print pants to silver glitter platform boots
MTV Video Music Awards 2026 NOMINEES
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
Bruno Mars – I Just Might
Gener8ion (starring Yung Lean – Storm
Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)
Sabrina Carpenter – Tears
Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande
Bruno Mars
Madonna
Morgan Wallen
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift
Madonna has the most nominations of the year with 11
SONG OF THE YEAR
BTS – Swim
Ella Langley – Choosin’ Texas
Huntr/x – Golden
Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter – Bring Your Love
Olivia Dean – Man I Need
Raye – Where Is My Husband
BEST NEW ARTIST
Bella Kay
Cortis
Magnus Ferrell
Malcolm Todd
Myles Smith
Sienna Spiro
Stella Lefty
BEST COLLABORATION
Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T and Malice – Chains & Whips
French Montana and Max B – Ever Since U Left Me
Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter
PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson – Stateside
Shakira and Burna Boy – Dai Dai
Teyana Taylor and Lucky Daye – Hard Part
BEST POP
Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
Charli XCX – SS26
Lisa – Dream
Olivia Rodrigo – Drop Dead
Sabrina Carpenter – House Tour
Tate McRae – Nobody’s Girl
Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Taylor Swift is trailing just behind the Queen of Pop with nine nods to her name
BEST HIP-HOP
Cardi B featuring Kehlani – Safe
Don Toliver – E85
Drake – Janice STFU
Megan Thee Stallion – Lover Girl
Travis Scott – Dumbo
Tyler, The Creator – Sugar on My Tongue
BEST R&B
Bruno Mars – I Just Might
Chris Brown – It Depends/Obvious
Dave & Tems – Raindance
Justin Bieber – Yukon
Kehlani – Folded
Mariah The Scientist and Kali Uchis – Is It a Crime
BEST ALTERNATIVE
Geese – Taxes
MGK and Fred Durst – Fix Ur Face
Noah Kahan – The Great Divide
Olivia Rodrigo – The Cure
Sombr – Homewrecker
Tame Impala – Dracula
Twenty One Pilots – Drag Path
BEST DANCE
Bebe Rexha and Faithless – New Religion
Harry Styles – Aperture
Lady Gaga and Doechii – Runway
Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)
PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson – Stateside
Slayyyter – Dance…
Tate McRae – Nobody’s Girl
BEST LATIN
Anitta and Shakira – Choka Choka
Bad Bunny – NUEVAYoL
Fuerza Regida – Tu Sancho
Karol G – Papasito
Rosalía – La Perla
Ryan Castro, Kapo and Gangsta – La Villa
Shakira and Burna Boy – Dai Dai
Ariana Grande has landed a total of seven nominations
BEST K-POP
Blackpink – Jump
BTS – Swim
Cortis – Redred
Katseye – Pinky Up
Le Sserafim – Spaghetti
Lisa – Dream
BEST COUNTRY
Ella Langley – Choosin’ Texas
Kacey Musgraves – Dry Spell
Lainey Wilson – Somewhere over Laredo
Luke Combs – Back in the Saddle
Shaboozey – Cowgirl
Stella Lefty – Boston
Tucker Wetmore – Brunette
BEST DIRECTION
Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love me
Bruno Mars – I Just Might
Gener8ion – Storm
Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)
Sabrina Carpenter – House Tour
Taylor Swift – Opalite
Sabrina Carpenter is tied with Grande, having scored seven nods
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
A$AP Rocky – Punk Rocky
Lisa – Dream
Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)
Shaboozey – Cowgirl
Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
BEST EDITING
Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
Bruno Mars – I Just Might
Lisa – Dream
Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)
Sabrina Carpenter – House Tour
Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Gener8ion – Storm
Harry Styles – Dance No More
Katseye – Pinky Up
Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)
Tate McRae – Nobody’s Girl
Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
Jisoo and Zayn – Eyes Closed
Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)
PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson – Stateside
Raye – Click Clack Symphony
Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
BEST ART DIRECTION
Charli XCX – SS26
Lady Gaga and Doechii – Runway
Madonna – Confessions II (The Film)
PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson – Stateside
Sombr – My Body Isn’t Ready
Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Swift has a chance this year to break her dead heat with Beyonce, with whom she is tied for most VMAs ever at 30
