The 20 Best- and Worst-Dressed Celebs at the 2026 VMAs

Teyana Taylor in Zuhair MuradMonica Schipper//Getty ImagesYou can always trust that Teyana Taylor is going to hit any red carpet ready to serve a drop-dead look. The star of One Battle After Another came to the VMAs to present and that’s exactly what she did before she ever hit the stage. We tend to be pretty bored by naked looks and feathers on the red carpet, but the construction is impeccable and genuinely interesting to look at. The hair puffs are really cute and do a lot to give the look a lightness and sense of fun.See more of Teyana’s lookRaye in Georges Hobeika CoutureMichael Buckner//Getty ImagesThe “Where Is My Husband!” and Song of the Year nominee went for the kind of straight-up retro glam that’s become something of a signature look for her. The hair is coiffed, the beading pattern is lovely, and the lining situation on that sheer skirt is one of the better ones we’ve seen in a while. It’s perfectly styled and nothing is out of place.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowSlayyyter in Kallie CollettMichael Buckner//Getty ImagesThe Best Dance and Song of the Summer nominee looked a little bit like she washed ashore from a shipwreck. To be fair, it’s not a bad dress, but the neutral color doesn’t do much for her and it’s hellaciously tight in the bust. We’re not always the biggest fans of deconstructed or degraded fashion, but all of those raggedy ruffles are kind of interesting and give her an edge. It seems strange to us that the train is so pristine in comparison. We’d have rather she ditched it.Lisa in Quine Li and The AtticoKevin Mazur//Getty ImagesThe Best Pop winner and “Dream” singer brought high drama to the VMAs red carpet and we truly love to see it. It’s an eye-popping look, with proportions that border on drag or stage costume, but that’s the kind of thing this venue actually calls for. It’s not easy to combine VMAs-ready spectacle with Met Gala–level chic, but she’s the girl to do it. So what if her coat looks a little bath mat-y? It’s a pure head-turner.See more of Lisa’s lookAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowSombr in ERLMonica Schipper//Getty ImagesSometimes we think the “Homewrecker” singer and Song of the Summer nominee leans a little too hard into that classic rock god look, and we have to admit, this is one of those times when it feels a little try-hard to us. There’s nothing wrong with a pop star working leather pants and faux fur. It’s a look that stretches back 60 years, and it clearly suits him, but the slightly ridiculous number of chains in combination with that SEX buckle tips this one over into Halloween costume territory.PinkPantheress in Nina RicciMonica Schipper//Getty ImagesThe Song of the Year nominee for “Stateside + Zara Larsson” went for a surprisingly demure and pretty polka dot number. We tend to dislike tiered dresses and we often get huffy about overly askew designs, but something about the proportions and angles here strike us as just right. The color is striking and the sheer overlay gives the design a softness you don’t always see on a VMAs red carpet. The messy side braid and low-key styling help turn this into one of the more quietly impactful looks of the night.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowCharli xcx in Saint LaurentJeff Kravitz//Getty ImagesThe “SS26” singer and Best Pop nominee has streamlined her red carpet style in recent years, turning it toward a more grown-up and elegant take on classic pop girl looks. We love this because it’s spare and simple, but she looks hot and it has an interesting shape. We don’t mind the sheer bust exposure, except it’s too tight, which is ruining the effect.See more of Charli’s lookBebe Rexha in Dreaming ElieMonica Schipper//Getty ImagesThe “New Religion” singer and Best Dance nominee has a red carpet record that runs toward the extremely tacky. You’d think the VMAs would be the perfect place for her to get her flashy on and, bless her, she really tried it here, but this looks is less a “dress” and more just a bunch of cliched design elements tacked together. We’ve seen so many corset dresses and lingerie dresses over the last few seasons and there’s nothing new here. We’ll give it up for the boots though. Those are pretty hot.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowTaylor Swift in Tamara Ralph CoutureMonica Schipper//Getty ImagesThe “Fate of Ophelia” singer and nominee of far too many VMAs to list here presented a cool, streamlined elegance and a surprising step away from her signature lip color. There’s a maturity to the style that looks good on her and tends to indicate where she is in her life and career. While we think the skirt textile looks a little chintzy, it drapes beautifully over the sleek, body-con bodice, and the juxtaposition is what lends the look its interest. The earrings are gorgeous.See more of Taylor’s lookStella Lefty in Claire PettiboneMonica Schipper//Getty ImagesThe “Boston” singer and nominee for Best New Artist and Song of the Summer avoided country star clichés and ramped up the romance in this practically Regency romance–ready gown of beaded lace with fringed cap sleeves. It is pretty and feels like the fantasy gown for ballrooms and entertaining multiple suitors at once. The softly messy updo and gorgeous necklace complete the look. Our only quibble is with the fringe on the sleeves because it looks incredibly annoying to wear.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowRei Ami in HiláCBS Photo Archive//Getty ImagesThe “Golden” singer and Song of the Year nominee hit the red carpet without her Huntr/X bandmates—and without a whole outfit. We suppose technically we could call that a “skirt,” but it’s more like the idea of a skirt rather than something wearable. We admit that this sort of look always seems like way more trouble than it’s worth and we can’t imagine sitting all night in it, but she seems to having fun with it, and we honestly can’t say she looks bad even if we do find the design pretty underwhelming.Tyla in MowalalaKevin Mazur//Getty ImagesYou can always count on the “Is It” singer to show up in a cute, sexy, highly coordinated look and this one’s no different, but we have this funny sort of rule about wearing python print: It should be used sparingly. If you insist on carrying it into every item and accessory, you start looking like some sort of snake-themed supervillain. We’d have told her to ditch the choker and the shoes for something neutral.See more of Tyla’s lookAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowCiara Miller in Aiden EuanCBS Photo Archive//Getty ImagesBecause we love ourselves a pop culture homage on the red carpet, the Summer House star showing up looking like Tyra Banks in Coyote Ugly tickled us pink. Granted, there’s a part of us that thinks this is borderline cosplay, but she looks so hot in those lace-up pants that we can’t bring ourselves to get too mad about it.See more of Ciara’s lookDavid CorenswetFrazer Harrison//Getty ImagesSuperman, what the heck happened here? The star of the upcoming Mr. Irrelevant may gave gotten it into his head that he should come to the VMAs looking like he got his suit at a not-particularly-well-stocked thrift store in some sort of bid for Serious Actor status, but this isn’t the time or the place, dude. The proportions are so awful that we wonder if he has a mirror.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowTroye Sivan in ErdemCBS Photo Archive//Getty ImagesIt’s giving Byronic but queer. We really like the crisp romanticism of the top half of the look, with its tight fit and high collar. That little hip swag and those slightly outrageous feathers lend the look the slightly queer fabulousness we expect from his style choices.Paris Hilton in The BlondsJeff Kravitz//Getty ImagesJust about the purest, most perfect Robot Girl style you’ll ever see. We have to give Paris all the credit in the world for showing up to this event looking like she took time off from her international stadium concert tour to bless us with her presence. A look like this only works if every aspect and choice is impeccable, and she got this one exactly right. She looks amazing, and we love that she has a sense of humor about how to present herself.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowChlöe Bailey in Idan CohenFrazer Harrison//Getty ImagesYou can always count on the multi-hyphenate actor/singer/producer to show up looking dazzling, but it always feels like she goes a little crazy for the red carpet. We support her, because if you can’t go nuts with your style at the VMAs, then when can you? But she may have outdone herself by showing up as some sort of broken mirror goddess. The design is spectacular, but everything is just a little snug on her. We think the blonde touches in her hair and brows lend the look an otherworldly feel that really works for her.Shaboozey in Chrome HeartsCBS Photo Archive//Getty ImagesWe can never predict what the “Cowgirl” singer and Best Country nominee will wear to any red carpet, but we can always count on it being on point, on theme, impeccable, and usually pretty hot. He countrified this all-leather look but in ways that come off thoughtful and true to himself. We’re not entirely convinced on the skinny tie or even the vest, but he sure can work a giant buckle.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowBella Kay in Rocky, The ShopDoug Peters - PA Images//Getty ImagesThe “iloveiloveitiloveit” singer and Best New Artist nominee sported a look that we don’t like but can’t bring ourselves to hate, if that makes any sense. The proportions are bad, it’s overwrought as a design, and the boots really don’t go at all, but it feels like one of the only truly youthful looks on this red carpet. It’s cute and it speaks of her own personality and preferences in a way that indicates real style.Normani in Robert Wun CoutureKevin Mazur//Getty ImagesNow that’s how you make an impression. She’s not up for any awards tonight and she’s not presenting, but Normani picked the kind of jaw-dropping gown that won’t let you forget she attended. This is high drag and as such, we’ll allow for a little flashiness in it. Having said that, we don’t love the size of that flower at all. The gloves aren’t needed, and they look a little distracting.