Madonna to Perform at the VMAs for the First Time in 23 Years

The "Material Girl" is back. Madonna will open the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards later this month, marking her return to the VMAs stage after 23 years. The iconic artist also leads nominations with 11 nods, including Artist of the Year and Video of the Year for "Confessions II – The Film." Taylor Swift is closely behind her with nine nominations, followed by Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter at seven, with Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson at five. Madonna's performance announcement comes on the heels of the release of her latest album "Confessions II," which came out . . .