Nirvana is awarded the 2026 Video Vanguard Award: What to know about the MTV VMAs

NEW YORK (AP) — If the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards felt too pop-heavy for some viewers, that was interrupted by the coveted Video Vanguard Award being awarded to Nirvana.

“They were completely original and always fearless at a time when the status quo kind of got to the point of being formulaic," Public Enemy rapper Chuck D said of the grunge greats Sunday. "Today, their influence could be heard in virtually every generation of artists who followed.”

The award was presented to surviving members Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl and Pat Smear. Their frontman Kurt Cobain died in 1994.

“Kurt was one of one,” Novoselic said in their acceptance speech, adding that the band never imagined its sound and aesthetic would resonate with so many people. He said the music continues to endure because people are still hungry for “something real, something uncompromising” and a message that “it’s just OK to come as you are.”

The two-hour MTV Video Music Awards show is currently being broadcast live on CBS from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

The VMAs are also simulcast on MTV and available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.

Here’s what else to know about the award show.

Madonna opened the starry award show

“It's mother," were the first words uttered by Madonna as she opened the VMAs with her 2026 single “Bring Your Love" alongside her collaborator Sabrina Carpenter.

If her aim was to bring the dance floor to the award show stage, she did exactly that — and then some, when Charli xcx emerged from a club bathroom to perform their reworked version of “Danceteria.” Around them? A trove of dancers and various famous friends, including actor Debi Mazar, Sombr and Julia Garner.

The show, which was delayed 20 minutes by a tight NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys, wasted no time getting heart rates up.

Snoop Dogg, a 13-time VMAs nominee and three-time winner, emerged as host shortly thereafter.

“Now that is an icon,” Dogg said of Madonna, before pivoting to a joke: “She ain't a virgin no more.”

Then Teyana Taylor presented the first award for best pop to LISA for “Dream” feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi.

“Thank you MTV for this amazing award,” she said while holding back tears. “All those late-night dreams brought me here today.” It was a different scene about an hour later, when she returned to the stage for her hip-hop heavy hitter “Sawadika,” which loosely translates to “Hello” in her native Thai.

The best performances included a tribute to Dolly Parton

There was always going to be a moment for Dolly Parton. Kacey Musgraves paid homage to the late, great country music icon with a cover of Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”

Parton, whose soaring vibrato vocals, poignant songwriting and sparkling costumes defined her rise from a log cabin in the Tennessee mountains to the height of stardom and acclaim, died in Nashville of cancer in August. She was 80.

Performances arrived fast and furious: Raye delivered a medley of her throwback soul, starting with “I Will Overcome” into “Where Is My Husband!” Bruno Mars slowed things down with “Dance With Me.” Shaboozey launched into his saloon single “Cowgirl,” before being joined by Gunna for some hybrid country-rap with their crossover track, “High Noon.”

Later, Raye, Sombr and Teddy Swims will pay tribute to George Michael, who died 10 years ago on Christmas Day. He was 53.

Other performers include GENER8ION with Yung Lean and Sienna Spiro.

Actors David Corenswet and Isabel May presented the best collaboration award to Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter for “Bring Your Love.”

“It’s been a while since I did one of these things,” Madonna joked. “So, I’ve prepared nothing.”

Taylor Swift will make history at the 2026 MTV VMAs

Swifties, it looks like the night is already yours.

Earlier this week it was announced that Taylor Swift will receive the inaugural Artist Director Honors, becoming the most awarded artist in VMA history.

Swift is currently tied with Beyoncé for the title of most-awarded musician in VMA history. They have 30 each. (Eminem is the male artist with the most VMAs with 15.) The new award, which according to the VMAs is meant to recognize artists “whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling,” will bring her total to 31.