Madonna, who celebrated her 68th birthday this year, has emerged as the most‑nominated artist for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. The pop icon received a total of 11 nominations across major categories, including Artist of the Year and Video of the Year. The awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, September 27.
Other top contenders
Following Madonna, Taylor Swift earned nine nominations, placing her in second place. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each secured seven nominations, tying for third.
Key nominated videos
- Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me”
- Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”
- GENERATION – “STORM starring Yung Lean”
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “Tears”
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
- Morgan Wallen – (nomination listed)
- BTS – “Swim”
- Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
- HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI) – “Golden”
- Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love”
- Olivia Dean – “Man I Need”
- PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
- RAYE – “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”
Additional nominees
The full list includes a wide range of artists from pop, hip‑hop, country and Latin genres. Notable entries are Shakira & Burna Boy’s “Dai Dai,” Charli XCX’s “SS26,” LISA’s “Dream (feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi),” Olivia Rodrigo’s “drop dead,” and Harry Styles’ “Aperture.” Country stars such as Lainey Wilson (“Somewhere Over Laredo”) and Luke Combs (“Back in the Saddle”) also appear.
International acts like BLACKPINK (“JUMP”), BTS (“SWIM”), and K‑pop group LE SSERAFIM (featuring BTS’s j‑hope) are represented, underscoring the global reach of the awards. The nominations reflect a mix of established veterans and emerging talent, highlighting the evolving landscape of popular music.
What’s next
The MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live on September 27, with performances expected from several of the nominated artists. Fans and industry observers will watch to see which videos and performers translate their nominations into wins.
Madonna’s strong showing marks a significant comeback for the veteran star, who continues to influence new generations of musicians. Taylor Swift’s nine nominations reaffirm her status as a dominant force in contemporary pop and country music. As the ceremony approaches, the competition among the nominees promises to be intense, with many artists hoping to add another accolade to their careers.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
