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The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards were held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday (IST), with Snoop Dogg hosting a ceremony that brought together some of the biggest names in global music.
The MTV Video Music Awards, better known as the VMAs, honour the best music videos of the year across pop, hip-hop, R&B, rock, Latin, country and K-pop, among other categories. Launched by MTV in 1984, the show has long been one of pop culture's most-watched music events, known for headline-grabbing performances and for its astronaut-shaped "Moon Person" trophy.
This year, Taylor Swift took home Video of the Year for 'The Fate of Ophelia' and Best Direction for 'Opalite'. She was also the first recipient of the newly introduced MTV VMA Artist Director Honours. Rock royalty Nirvana, meanwhile, were presented with the Video Vanguard Award.
The Boy band BTS won Song of the Year and Best K-Pop, both for 'Swim', and added Best Group to their tally.
Madonna was among the night's biggest winners, collecting Artist of the Year and Best Album for Confessions II. Her accompanying project, Confessions II – The Film, also won Best Longform Video, Best Cinematography, Best Choreography and Best Dance.
Here is the complete list of winners:
Video of the Year: Taylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia
Artist of the Year: Madonna
Best New Artist: Sienna Spiro
Best Collaboration: Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter - Bring Your Love
Song of the Year: BTS - Swim
Song of Summer: Ariana Grande - Hate That I Made You Love Me
Best Pop: LISA - Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi
Best Album: Madonna - Confessions II
Best Longform Video: Madonna - Confessions II - The Film
Best Group: BTS
Best Visual Effects: Ariana Grande - Hate That I Made You Love Me
Best Choreography: Madonna - Confessions II - The Film
Best Editing: Sabrina Carpenter - House Tour
Best Cinematography: Madonna - Confessions II - The Film
Best Art Direction: PinkPantheress - Stateside + Zara Larsson
Best Direction: Taylor Swift - Opalite
Best Country: Ella Langley - Choosin' Texas
Best K-Pop: BTS - SWIM
Best Latin: Bad Bunny - NUEVAYoL
Best Dance: Madonna - Confessions II - The Film
Best Alternative: Olivia Rodrigo - the cure
Best R&B: Bruno Mars - I Just Might
Best Hip-Hop: Cardi B ft. Kehlani - Safe
Special Honours
Taylor Swift received the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honours, while Nirvana was presented with the Video Vanguard Award.