Madonna has no clue what award she’s won in chaotic VMAs speech

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Madonna’s VMAs acceptance speech was as chaotic as you’d expect. No, seriously, she didn’t know what she’d even won. Last night, the pop icon, 68, attended the MTV Video Music Awards and opened the show in style, marking her first live performance at the ceremony in 23 years. Accompanied by Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the Vogue singer treated viewers to an eight-minute spectacle of bangers from her latest record, Confessions II, including Bring Your Love and Danceteria Afterhours. The album, released in July and the 15th one from Madonna, was awarded in several categories, including best dance for its accompanying film – and we say that as much for Madonna’s own benefit as anyone else’s. Taking to the stage, the Queen of Pop began with a cheeky quip about the microphone height: ‘I’m short, but I’m not this short. Don’t make me bow down. I’ve been doing that for too long.’ She then instructed Brat pop star Charli and Troye Sivan to ‘get over here’ after presenting her with the gong, which was handy since they could remind her what the category was. Madonna had no idea what she’d won as she accepted the VMA for best dance (Picture: MTV/CBS) Oh, but not before pulling a laser out of her corset-clad bum. ‘I’m kind of unclear what this award is for,’ she openly admitted. ‘I guess it’s for the short film?’ Helpfully, Charli then opened the envelope to remind her, explaining that she was being awarded for Confessions II – The Film, a 14-minute, big-budget production that transported fans into the album’s universe and featured cameos from Benedict Cumberbatch to Kate Moss. ‘Well, I feel good surrounded by people who like dance – Charli and Troye,’ Madonna continued in her disorganised speech. ‘Here’s the thing: I came to New York to be a dancer,’ she recalled. ‘And dance is where everything happened for me in my life. ‘I came to life on the dance floor. I found my community on the dance floor. I fell in love with people on a dance floor. And I lost many people I loved on the dance floor. Charli XCX and Troye Sivan were on hand to remind her (Picture: MTV/CBS) ‘But how many people in this room love to dance?’ As the room packed with celebs cheered, she concluded: ‘Aside from soccer, football, whatever you wanna call it, dance brings everybody together, OK? We are all equal on the dance floor.’ It’s safe to say viewers were living for Madonna’s famously chaotic energy, with @sanglienmusic commenting on YouTube: ‘She’s so awkward – I love her’. ‘I love how awkward she can be but still speak from the heart’, echoed @gustavonieto7411. Others said it ‘feels like the 2000s again’ to see Madonna receiving awards, while praising the ‘legend’. @davidcoronado7198 declared her unpredictable acceptance speech ‘iconic’, and @esounds1 noted that she’s proudly ‘not for everybody’. She was also awarded for her collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter (Picture: Francis Specker/CBS) The pop stars performed Bring Your Love together in an iconic opening number (Picture: Stewart Cook/CBS) ‘More than deserved. Loved watching her getting her flowers tonight. She is such a legend and just gave us an amazing DANCE album. Long Live The Queen’, hailed @manogonz13. But this wasn’t Madonna’s only award of the night, having entered the evening as the most nominated artist with 13 nods, seven of which she took home, including artist of the year. And as she accepted the VMA for best collaboration with Espresso hitmaker Sabrina, she revealed just how proactive she was in making the duet happen. ‘Everybody who knows me knows how impatient I am,’ Madonna began. ‘When five days passed, and I still didn’t get connected with Sabrina…’, she continued, leaving Sabrina stunned beside her. ‘And didn’t hear back from her about whether she wanted to do a song with me – five days! – I DMed her.’ Luckily, her assertive approach worked, because, well, who would ignore a DM from Madonna? Charli also joined Madonna for the spectacle (Picture: Stewart Cook/CBS) There were toilets and urinals… of course (Picture: Francis Specker/CBS) ‘And this is a true story. She answered me back, and I don’t know, within weeks we were in the studio together. It was fabulous.’ At the start of the show, Madonna arrived spread-eagle atop a black grand piano, as you do, while Sabrina played the keys before joining in for choreography. She was then joined by more recognisable faces for her medley, with on-stage moments featuring Seth Rogen, Julia Garner, and Debi Mazar. The fever dream even included Tony Ward, Madonna’s ex-boyfriend from the 90s, who got a butt grab while standing at a fake urinal. @GoodBuddyKIRK on X wrote that it ‘made [them] happy’ to see the pair reunited, while @connection_r called it a ‘great surprise’. ‘Wow. She invoked all the cameos didn’t she?’, said @rusty619. Now 63, Tony was 27 when he dated Madonna. He also appeared in her music videos and her controversial 1992 Sex book. Their high-profile romance ended when he married an old flame, Greek-Australian photographer Amalia Papadimos, but clearly, he and Madonna have remained friends. VMAs 2026 winners Video of the Year - Taylor Swift, The Fate of Ophelia Artist of the Year - Madonna Song of the Year - BTS, SWIM Best New Artist - Sienna Spiro Best Collaboration - Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter, Bring Your Love Best Pop - LISA and Kentaro Sakaguchi, Dream Best Hip-Hop - Cardi B and Kehlani, Safe Best R&B - Bruno Mars, I Just Might Best Alternative - Olivia Rodrigo, The Cure Best Dance - Madonna, Confessions II – The Film Best Latin - Bad Bunny, NUEVAYoL Best K-Pop - BTS, SWIM Best Long Form Video - Madonna, Confessions II – The Film Best Album - Madonna, Confessions II Best Country - Ella Langley, Choosin’ Texas Best Group - BTS Song of Summer - Ariana Grande, Hate That I Made You Love Me Best Direction - Taylor Swift, Opalite Best Art Direction - PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson, Stateside Best Cinematography - Madonna, Confessions II – The Film Best Editing - Sabrina Carpenter, House Tour Best Choreography - Madonna, Confessions II – The Film Best Visual Effects - Ariana Grande, Hate That I Made You Love Me Artist Director Honours - Taylor Swift Video Vanguard Award - Nirvana Arrow MORE: Dolly Parton fans in tears over ‘perfect’ MTV VMAs tribute Arrow MORE: Woman who accused Jay-Z of child rape admits she’s ‘never met him’ Arrow MORE: Ed Sheeran cancels tour shows hours before start in ‘difficult decision’ Switched On Get plugged into the week’s must-watch shows, unmissable moments, and expert reviews with Metro TV Editor Sabrina Barr.