Pop powerhouse Miley Cyrus is tipped to take the stage at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) for a special tribute performance honouring her godmother and country music legend, Dolly Parton.
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The rumour comes hot on the heels of major moves in Cyrus’s music career, as she recently adopted the mononym Miley and released her dark-pop title track and lead single “Bass Persuades”. The track serves as the opening preview for her upcoming 10th studio album, Bass Persuades, dropping September 18 via Atlantic Records.
2026 MTV VMAs: Key Information at a Glance
- Event Date: Sunday, September 27
- Venue: Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California
- Host: Snoop Dogg
- Top Nominee: Madonna leads the pack with 11 nominations
- Video Vanguard Award: Nirvana to be honored
- Reported Lineup: Performances set to include Sabrina Carpenter with Madonna, Shakira, Burna Boy, and Sombr—alongside the tipped Dolly Parton tribute by Miley Cyrus.
- How to Watch (US): Live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+
- How to Watch (UK & Europe): Broadcast on MTV UK (dropped by Channel 5 in the UK this year) and local European MTV channels.
A High-Stakes Night in Los Angeles
Hosted by hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the 2026 VMAs are shaping up to be one of the year’s biggest nights in music. Madonna dominates this year’s field with a staggering 11 nominations—including Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Best Pop—while grunge pioneers Nirvana are set to receive the prestigious Video Vanguard Award.
In addition to Miley Cyrus’s rumored Dolly Parton tribute, the night’s high-octane stage lineup is set to feature a collaborative performance from Sabrina Carpenter and Madonna, alongside sets from international superstars Shakira, Burna Boy, and breakout alternative artist Sombr.
Full List of Nominees: 2026 MTV Video Music Awards
Video of the Year
- Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
- Bruno Mars – I Just Might
- Gener8ion – Storm starring Yung Lean
- Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
- Sabrina Carpenter – Tears
- Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Artist of the Year
- Ariana Grande
- Bruno Mars
- Madonna
- Morgan Wallen
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Taylor Swift
Song of the Year
- BTS – Swim
- Ella Langley – Choosin’ Texas
- Huntr/x – Golden
- Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – Bring Your Love
- Olivia Dean – Man I Need
- PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – Stateside
- Raye – Where Is My Husband!
Best New Artist (Presented by The General Insurance®)
- Bella Kay
- Cortis
- Magnus Ferrell
- Malcolm Todd
- Myles Smith
- Sienna Spiro
- Stella Lefty
Best Collaboration
- Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T & Malice – Chains & Whips
- French Montana & Max B – Ever Since U Left Me
- Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – Bring Your Love
- PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – Stateside
- Shakira & Burna Boy – Dai Dai
- Teyana Taylor & Lucky Daye – Hard Part
Best Pop
- Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
- Charli xcx – SS26
- Lisa & Kentara Sakaguchi – Dream
- Olivia Rodrigo – Drop Dead
- Sabrina Carpenter – House Tour
- Tate McRae – Nobody’s Girl
- Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Best Hip-Hop
- Cardi B & Kehlani – Safe
- Don Toliver – E85
- Drake – Janice STFU
- Megan Thee Stallion – Lover Girl
- Travis Scott – Dumbo
- Tyler, the Creator – Sugar on My Tongue
Best R&B
- Bruno Mars – I Just Might
- Chris Brown – It Depends/Obvious
- Dave & Tems – Raindance
- Justin Bieber – Yukon
- Kehlani – Folded
- Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis – Is It a Crime
Best Alternative
- Geese – Taxes
- MGK & Fred Durst – Fix Ur Face
- Noah Kahan – The Great Divide
- Olivia Rodrigo – The Cure
- Sombr – Homewrecker
- Tame Impala – Dracula
- Twenty One Pilots – Drag Path
Best Dance (Presented by Bacardí® Rum)
- Bebe Rexha & Faithless – New Religion
- Harry Styles – Aperture
- Lady Gaga & Doechii – Runway
- Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
- PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – Stateside
- Slayyyter – Dance…
- Tate McRae – Nobody’s Girl
Best Latin
- Anitta & Shakira – Choka Choka
- Bad Bunny – Nuevayol
- Fuerza Regida – Tu Sancho
- Karol G – Papasito
- Rosalía & Yahritza y Su Esencia – La Perla
- Ryan Castro, Kapo & Gangsta – La Villa
- Shakira & Burna Boy – Dai Dai
Best K-Pop
- Blackpink – Jump
- BTS – Swim
- Cortis – RedRed
- Katseye – Pinky Up
- Le Sserafim & J-Hope of BTS – Spaghetti
- Lisa & Kentara Sakaguchi – Dream
Best Country
- Ella Langley – Choosin’ Texas
- Kacey Musgraves – Dry Spell
- Lainey Wilson – Somewhere Over Laredo
- Luke Combs – Back in the Saddle
- Shaboozey – Cowgirl
- Stella Lefty – Boston
- Tucker Wetmore – Brunette
Best Direction
- Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
- Bruno Mars – I Just Might
- Gener8ion – Storm starring Yung Lean
- Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
- Sabrina Carpenter – House Tour
- Taylor Swift – Opalite
Best Art Direction
- Charli xcx – SS26
- Lady Gaga & Doechii – Runway
- Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
- PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – Stateside
- Sombr – My Body Isn’t Ready
- Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Best Cinematography
- A$AP Rocky – Punk Rocky
- Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
- Lisa & Kentara Sakaguchi – Dream
- Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
- Shaboozey – Cowgirl
- Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Best Editing
- Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
- Bruno Mars – I Just Might
- Lisa & Kentara Sakaguchi – Dream
- Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
- Sabrina Carpenter – House Tour
- Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Best Choreography
- Gener8ion – Storm starring Yung Lean
- Harry Styles – Dance No More
- Katseye – Pinky Up
- Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
- Tate McRae – Nobody’s Girl
- Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Best Visual Effects
- Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
- Jisoo & Zayn – Eyes Closed
- Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
- PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – Stateside
- Raye & Hans Zimmer – Click Clack Symphony
- Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
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