{
  "id": 7886232,
  "title": "Madonna Is Opening the VMAs for the First Time in 23 Years",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/madonna-is-opening-the-vmas-for-the-first-time-in-23-years",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-16T22:02:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Pitchfork",
    "slug": "pitchfork",
    "url": "https://pitchfork.com/story/madonna-is-opening-the-vmas-for-the-first-time-in-23-years/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Madonna will be making her first appearance as the host of the VMAs in 23 years. The pop icon will open the prestigious awards show for the first time since 2003, performing as the most-nominated artist for her '80s nightlife-inspired album, Confessions II. Madonna has earned a total of nine nominations for her 'Ray of Light' and 'Frozen' in 1998, and 'Vogue' in 1990. The last time she opened the show, she performed \"Like a Virgin\" and \"Hollywood\" alongside Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, and famously made out with both singers. Madonna has a history of memorable VMAs performances - in 1990, she sang \"Vogue\" in a performance inspired by 18th-century France, and in 1984, she headlined the inaugural VMAs, writhing on the floor with a belt that read \"BOY TOY\" for a performance of \"Like a Virgin.\" The VMAs will air on CBS on Sunday, September 27 at 7:30 PM EST.",
  "summary": "The Queen of Pop is the most-nominated artist of the night",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Billboard",
        "title": "Madonna to Open 2026 VMAs — Her First Time Performing on the Show in 23 Years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/madonna-to-open-2026-vmas-her-first-time-performing-on-the-show-in-23",
        "published": "2026-09-16T19:45:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Deadline",
        "title": "Madonna To Open 2026 VMAs, Her First Live Performance At Show In 23 Years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/madonna-to-open-2026-vmas-her-first-live-performance-at-show-in-23",
        "published": "2026-09-16T19:45:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "TheWrap",
        "title": "Madonna to Perform at the VMAs for the First Time in 23 Years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/madonna-to-perform-at-the-vmas-for-the-first-time-in-23-years",
        "published": "2026-09-16T19:45:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Rolling Stone",
        "title": "Madonna to Perform at VMAs for First Time in 23 Years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/madonna-to-perform-at-vmas-for-first-time-in-23-years",
        "published": "2026-09-16T19:47:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}