Madonna Wins Big As LGBTQIA+ Stars Shine At The 2026 VMAs
Image: Image: VMA's
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards have wrapped in Los Angeles, with LGBTQIA+ stars scoring big wins, taking over the red carpet and joining one of the biggest queer musical tributes of the night.
Kehlani walked away a VMA winner, Adam Lambert made a surprise appearance honouring gay music legend George Michael, while Orville Peck proudly declared he was “representing the gays”.
Australian superstar Troye Sivan, Pabllo Vittar, Bob the Drag Queen, Monét X Change and Lauren Jauregui were also among the queer stars spotted at the event.
Meanwhile, longtime queer icon Madonna proved she remains the undisputed Queen of pop, becoming the biggest winner of the night with an incredible seven awards after entering the evening with the most nominations.
Kehlani scores a VMA win with Cardi B
Openly queer singer Kehlani was among the LGBTQIA+ winners at this year’s awards, taking home Best Hip-Hop alongside Cardi B for their collaboration Safe.
The pair defeated Don Toliver, Drake, Megan Thee Stallion, Travis Scott and Tyler, The Creator for the award.
Kehlani had two nominations this year, also earning a Best R&B nomination for Folded. That category ultimately went to Bruno Mars for I Just Might.
Trans pop star Slayyyter was another queer artist with multiple nominations, competing against Madonna, Lady Gaga and Doechii, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson, Tate McRae, Harry Styles and Bebe Rexha and Faithless for Best Dance with DANCE….
She was also nominated for Song of Summer with brand new chanel$.
While Slayyyter didn’t collect a trophy this time around, her appearance on the red carpet added to a sizeable contingent of LGBTQIA+ talent at this year’s ceremony.
Adam Lambert joins huge George Michael tribute
One of the biggest queer moments of the night came during an elaborate tribute to late gay music icon George Michael.
The performance had attracted criticism before the ceremony after RAYE, SOMBR and Teddy Swims were initially announced to perform, prompting questions about the apparent absence of openly LGBTQIA+ performers from a tribute to one of pop music’s most significant gay artists.
But MTV had a few surprises waiting.
Openly gay country singer Orville Peck introduced the tribute, describing Michael as a “pop god” who had paved the way for generations of artists.
SOMBR opened the tribute with Faith and Father Figure, before RAYE performed I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) and Teddy Swims delivered Careless Whisper.
The openly gay superstar made an unannounced appearance to perform Freedom! ’90, joined by fellow performers including openly gay British singer-songwriter MNEK, Saint Harison and MEEK.
The tribute culminated with the performers together on stage celebrating Michael, who won four VMAs during his career and received the Video Vanguard Award in 1989.
Adam Lambert performing FREEDOM at the
George Michael tribute #VMAs
SLAYYYYYY! 🖤🤩🤩🎶🎶 pic.twitter.com/uCsy0r97Yq— GELLY (@4Gelly) September 28, 2026
Orville Peck was there to ‘represent the gays’
Before he even introduced the George Michael tribute, Orville Peck had already delivered one of the most unapologetically queer quotes of the night.
The openly gay country singer arrived on the red carpet dressed in leather despite temperatures approaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit in Los Angeles.
Asked by People about committing to the outfit in the heat, Peck wasn’t having any regrets.
“It was a choice, but I am committed now. There’s no going back, and I am happy to be representing the gays, so I feel good,” he said.
Peck was one of the official presenters at the ceremony alongside fellow openly gay musician Troye Sivan.
Troye Sivan flies the flag for Australia
Australian gay pop superstar Troye Sivan was also among the night’s presenters.
Sivan walked the VMAs red carpet before taking part in the ceremony alongside a presenter lineup that included Charli xcx, Tyla, Teyana Taylor, Paris Hilton, Emma Bunton and Peck.
Troye Sivan has arrived at the #VMAs. pic.twitter.com/EXsFFCRlz2
— Pop Base (@PopBase) September 27, 2026
Drag royalty takes over the VMA red carpet
There was no shortage of drag representation either.
RuPaul’s Drag Race winners and The Traitors stars Bob the Drag Queen and Monét X Change arrived together, with Bob hitting the carpet in a dramatic denim polka dot ensemble while Monét opted for a sheer black look.
Brazilian drag superstar and singer Pabllo Vittar was also among the arrivals as well as several other RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni.
Madonna dominates with seven VMA wins
Madonna entered the ceremony with 13 nominations and finished the night with a staggering seven award wins, more than any other artist.
She won Artist of the Year, Best Album for Confessions II, Best Collaboration alongside Sabrina Carpenter for Bring Your Love, Best Dance, Best Long Form Video, Best Cinematography and Best Choreography for Confessions II – The Film.
The 68 year old also opened the VMAs with her first performance at the awards in 23 years.
MADONNA YOU’RE GOD!!!#Vmas pic.twitter.com/VzutK2sHK0
— MIRIANA🪩 (@mysinsmysavior) September 28, 2026
Taking to the stage to accept the award, Madonna reflected on her controversial performance at the awards back in 1984 when her stiletto famously fell off, causing a wardrobe malfunction as she attempted to retrieve it.
“I had a little problem with my shoes, and one of my stilettos fell off, and I dove onto the stage to try to make myself look cute and sexy, and my dress went up, and my butt cheek was hanging out, and in those days, butt cheeks were not hanging out,” she said during her acceptance speech for Arist Of The Year.
“I went backstage feeling really proud of myself, and my manager told me that my career was over.”
not Madonna giving the best speech EVER😭#VMAs pic.twitter.com/t6KgibHBXS
— MIRIANA🪩 (@mysinsmysavior) September 28, 2026
The complete list of 2026 MTV VMA winners
Video of the Year: Taylor Swift — The Fate of Ophelia
Artist of the Year: Madonna
Song of the Year: BTS — Swim
Best New Artist: Sienna Spiro
Best Collaboration: Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter — Bring Your Love
Best Pop: LISA — Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi
Best Hip-Hop: Cardi B featuring Kehlani — Safe
Best R&B: Bruno Mars — I Just Might
Best Alternative: Olivia Rodrigo — the cure
Best Dance: Madonna — Confessions II – The Film
Best Latin: Bad Bunny — NUEVAYoL
Best K-Pop: BTS — Swim
Best Country: Ella Langley — Choosin’ Texas
Best Direction: Taylor Swift — Opalite
Best Art Direction: PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson — Stateside
Best Cinematography: Madonna — Confessions II – The Film
Best Editing: Sabrina Carpenter — House Tour
Best Choreography: Madonna — Confessions II – The Film
Best Visual Effects: Ariana Grande — hate that i made you love me
Best Group: BTS
Best Long Form Video: Madonna — Confessions II – The Film
Best Album: Madonna — Confessions II
Song of Summer: Ariana Grande — hate that i made you love me
Video Vanguard Award: Nirvana
MTV VMA Artist Director Honors: Taylor Swift
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