{
  "id": 10320098,
  "title": "Madonna’s 2026 VMAs Performance Featured Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, and Crotch Lasers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/madonnas-2026-vmas-performance-featured-sabrina-carpenter-charli-xcx",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-28T00:17:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Consequence",
    "slug": "consequence",
    "url": "https://consequence.net/2026/09/madonna-vmas-2026-performance-sabrina-carpenter-charli-xcx/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Madonna made her highly anticipated return to the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Sunday night, marking her first performance at the event in 23 years. The show-opening spectacle featured a surreal environment with dancers performing acroyoga poses and lasers shooting from their crotches. Madonna was portrayed atop a piano, while her surprise collaborator, Sabrina Carpenter, sat at the keyboard with her back to the audience. Together, they performed \"Bring Your Love.\" Following this, Charli XCX entered the stage via a bathroom stall, joining Madonna for their brand-new collaboration. Directed by Stuart Price, the track reimagines Madonna's \"Danceteria,\" with Charli XCX contributing her unique verse. The performance was characterized by raw sensuality and intense club energy, enhanced by the dynamic chemistry between the three artists. Additionally, actress Julia Garner made a cameo appearance, resonating particularly due to her role as Madonna in the biopic, which was halted before progressing further. This marked Madonna's return to the VMAs after a 23-year hiatus and her debut appearance at the event since 2003, when she shared the stage with Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Missy Elliott.",
  "summary": "The pop icon turned her first VMAs performance in 23 years into a surreal, sweat-soaked piece of club theater Madonna’s 2026 VMAs Performance Featured Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, and Crotch Lasers Alex Krinsky",
  "key_points": [
    "Madonna returns to VMAs after 23-year absence",
    "Sabrina Carpenter collaborates with Madonna",
    "Charli XCX joins Madonna for new track"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Madonna's return to the VMAs after 23 years reasserts her relevance in the music scene, blending her legacy with new collaborations and provocative stage presence.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Stereogum",
        "title": "VMAs 2026: Madonna Opens The Show With Her First VMAs Performance In 23 Years, Joined By Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, & More",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/vmas-2026-madonna-opens-the-show-with-her-first-vmas-performance-in",
        "published": "2026-09-28T00:10:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Variety",
        "title": "Madonna Opens MTV Video Music Awards With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx, Plus Sombr, Debi Mazar and More",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/madonna-opens-mtv-video-music-awards-with-sabrina-carpenter-and",
        "published": "2026-09-28T00:16:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Pitchfork",
        "title": "Watch Madonna Bring Out Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX at the 2026 VMAs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/watch-madonna-bring-out-sabrina-carpenter-and-charli-xcx-at-the-2026",
        "published": "2026-09-28T00:22:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Rolling Stone",
        "title": "Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX Team Up for Star-Studded MTV VMAs Opener",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/madonna-sabrina-carpenter-charli-xcx-team-up-for-star-studded-mtv",
        "published": "2026-09-28T00:22:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Billboard",
        "title": "Madonna Opens 2026 VMAs With Star-Studded Set Featuring Sabrina Carpenter, Charli xcx, Seth Rogen & More",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/madonna-opens-2026-vmas-with-star-studded-set-featuring-sabrina",
        "published": "2026-09-28T00:27:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hollywood Reporter",
        "title": "Madonna Opens 2026 VMAs With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/madonna-opens-2026-vmas-with-sabrina-carpenter-and-charli-xcx",
        "published": "2026-09-28T00:39:42.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}