MTV Video Music Awards: Seven Things You Didn’t See on TV

Taylor Swift and Madonna at The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.

Taylor Swift (left) and Madonna at The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. Christopher Polk/CBS

Taylor Swift and Madonna dominated the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, and they also offered some fun behind-the-scenes moments that TV viewers at home didn’t see during the live broadcast.

Below, see what they — and others — did when the cameras weren’t rolling on Sunday night.

Starstruck Over Madonna

Madonna not only ruled the night with her opening performance and several wins, but she also seemed to be the most popular photo opp. The star sat center front row during the show and was spotted in chats (and taking pics) with Taylor Swift, Julia Garner and Charli xcx after skipping the red carpet earlier in the night.

Madonna Opens 2026 VMAs With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX

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Where Were Bruno Mars and Kacey Musgraves?

Two of the night’s biggest performances — Bruno Mars and a Dolly Parton tribute from Kacey Musgraves — were pretaped and not performed live in the room, leading to some confusion. Many in the crowd rumbled and looked around for which stage the stars were singing on, only to eventually realize they were not in attendance. THR reached out to a rep find out where Mars taped his performance.

Taylor Swift’s Busy Night

Taylor Swift, the night’s big winner with video of the year along with her special artist directors honor, did not have a lot of time to sit and enjoy the show, as THR spotted her zipping around all night. Swift arrived on the red carpet about five minutes before the awards went live, closing things down as everyone else was already inside. She disappeared for the show’s first hour, then made her way to her seat just moments before Dakota Johnson presented her directors award (and the two stayed on stage, whispering and giggling as their “Patient Zero” video debuted on the big screen). She went away again, and then made a stealth return to her seat just before winning video of the year.

Taylor Swift enters the #VMAs during a commercial break, stopping to say hi to fans along the way pic.twitter.com/bRJMUZZBCW
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 28, 2026

Off Campus Stars Enjoy a Fun Night

Off Campus fever took over the VMAs as stars Belmont Cameli and Ella Bright were on hand as presenters. Bright arrived earlier in the afternoon and then returned to the red carpet when Cameli arrived, as they posed for photos together — met with some screaming fans along the way. Inside the show, they were spotted on a side stage laughing and dancing around while Madonna gave an acceptance speech, just before they introduced Sienna Spiro’s performance.

Moonpeople Mascot Commit to the Role — Despite the Heat

Temps were high in downtown L.A. on Sunday afternoon, and even the Moonpeople were feeling it. Several of the VMAs Moonperson mascots were walking around the carpet in celebration, but it’s not exactly an airy costume, surrounded by puffy silver fabric. THR spotted one Moonperson — still masked and committed to the role — camped out behind the photo line along some AC vents, seeking a respite with some handlers before returning to the heat.

Gener8ion and Yung Leon Wow the Crowd

When Gener8ion and Yung Lean hit the stage to perform “Storm,” as the last performance of the night, they re-created the viral video featuring choreography by Damien Jalet. The audience loved it, giving it one of the biggest rounds of applause of the night, with many rising to their feet. Watch the performance below.

Lisa Gets a Hand

Lisa shook up the room with a rocking performance of her song “SaWaDiKa,” ending with her standing on top of a tuk-tuk with her dancers below. As the lights cut, the team helped Lisa down and they all celebrated the performance on stage as they made their way to the wings.

Lisa soaks up the applause and celebrates with her team following her #VMAs performance pic.twitter.com/NTHIm0YjLC
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 28, 2026