Madonna made her long-awaited return to the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night, opening the 2026 ceremony with her first performance at the show in 23 years. Naturally, her return wasn’t understated. The performance opened on a surreal field populated by dancers contorting through acroyoga poses as lasers shot from their crotches. After the intro clip, Madonna was revealed perched atop a piano, while Sabrina Carpenter, wearing a black beret, sat at the keys with her back to the crowd. The two then broke into “Bring Your Love.”
As the performance transitioned into “Danceteria Afterhours,” Charli xcx made her entrance by casually walking out of a bathroom stall to join Madonna for their newly released collaboration. The stage crackled with the gritty, raw sensuality both artists have made central to their work, their chemistry amplifying the effect as dancers writhed around them and the performance tipped further into sweaty, clubby excess. Actress Julia Garner also appeared during the number — a particularly fitting cameo considering she was tapped to portray Madonna in the singer’s long-gestating biopic, which ultimately collapsed at Universal before going into production.
The Performance and Collaboration
“Danceteria Afterhours” arrived just days before the VMAs, fueling speculation that Madonna and Charli xcx might take the stage together. Produced by Stuart Price, the track marks Madonna and Charli xcx’s first official musical collaboration and reworks Madonna’s “Danceteria,” with Charli xcx adding her own verse to the song.
Madonna’s History with the VMAs
The appearance marked Madonna’s first VMA performance since 2003, when she opened the ceremony alongside Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Missy Elliott. Her history with the VMAs stretches back to the very beginning: Madonna performed “Like a Virgin” at the inaugural ceremony in 1984.
In conclusion, Madonna’s return to the MTV Video Music Awards was a highly anticipated and memorable event, with her performance of “Danceteria Afterhours” alongside Charli xcx being a highlight of the ceremony. The collaboration and performance showcased the chemistry and talent of both artists, and marked a significant moment in Madonna’s long history with the VMAs.
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