Madonna’s history with the MTV Video Music Awards stretches back to the very first ceremony – and this time around, the Queen of Pop added another unforgettable chapter to it.
At the very first ceremony in 1984, Madonna took the stage to perform “Like a Virgin.” Dressed in a wedding gown, the performance became an early sign of just how much Madonna was willing to push the boundaries – but apparently, not everyone around her was convinced it would work.
Madonna later recalled that her manager told her afterward that her career was over. More than four decades later, the 68-year-old is still proving him wrong.
Madonna MTV VMAs 2026
Madonna returned to the MTV VMAs this year, marking her first performance at the ceremony since 2003. She appeared alongside Sabrina Carpenter, 27, and Charli XCX, 34, in an unexpected collaboration that quickly became one of the night’s major talking points.
In 2003, Madonna shared the stage with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera and ended it by kissing both pop stars, instantly turning the moment into a major pop-culture headline.
This time, the pop legend was joined by two younger generations of pop stars, which had social media buzzing almost immediately.
One viewer suggested the appearance had helped restore some excitement to the ceremony, writing: “The #VMAs kinda feel important again thanks to this Madonna performance,” according to Tyla.
Others couldn’t get over the fact that Madonna was still commanding a major awards-show stage at 68: “Madonna doing all this at 68 is literally legendary,” one person wrote.
“She can still own that stage”
Another fan posted: “Madonna giving this level of performance at 68 years old is why she’s mother #VMAs.”
“I’m sorry but Madonna being 68 and still performing like that is absolutely insane,” another viewer said.
A separate post read: “Here is tonight’s fun fact. Madonna is 68. Do what you want with this info. #VMA,” according to the outlet.
And another fan wrote: “Madonna may be 68, but she can still own that stage omg.”
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