Additional Performers + Social Categories for "2026 MTV Video Music Awards"

GENER8ION, Gunna, LISA, RAYE, Shaboozey, SIENNA SPIRO and Yung Lean will join show opener Madonna for performances during the 2026 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS (“VMAs”). Hosted by Snoop Dogg, the “VMAs” will air Sunday, Sept. 27 (6:30-8:30 PM, CT) on the CBS Television Network, simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ (Premium) in the U.S. The show will also be available globally the next day on Paramount+ and MTV.

• GENER8ION and Yung Lean

  • GENER8ION and Yung Lean will take the VMAs stage for the first time with a world premiere performance of STORM II. The first-time nominees are looking to take home a win for Video of the Year, Best Direction (Romain Gavras) and Best Choreography (Damien Jalet).

• LISA

  • LISA returns to the “VMAs” stage for the television debut of her new single, “SaWaDiKa,” from her forthcoming EP PRESS PLAY, out Oct. 23. With 10 career “VMAs” nods, including four this year, LISA is the most-nominated K-pop solo artist in show history. In 2022, she became the first K-pop soloist to win a “VMAs” award; last year, she took home her third consecutive.

• RAYE

  • British singer-songwriter and producer RAYE will make her “VMAs” performance debut. The two-time “VMAs” winner is nominated twice this year, including the Song of the Year category for “Where Is My Husband!” Following her own sold out North American tour and release of critically acclaimed sophomore album This Music May Contain Hope, RAYE is currently on a stadium tour with Bruno Mars and will make her film debut in Yann Demange’s upcoming thriller, “Lineage.”

• Shaboozey and Gunna

  • Country/hip-hop pioneer Shaboozey will make his “VMAs” performance debut with his hit single “Cowgirl,” which has amassed over 100 million official streams (to date). He’ll also be joined by hip-hop heavyweight Gunna for the first broadcast performance of their standout collaboration, “High Noon.” Shaboozey has earned five career “VMAs” nods, including two this year for Best Country and Best Cinematography, while Gunna has been nominated twice.

• SIENNA SPIRO

• First-time nominee SIENNA SPIRO will make her “VMAs” performance debut and compete for Best New Artist. A show-stopping vocal talent with uncompromising vision, the acclaimed British singer-songwriter recently released her debut album Visitor to widespread critical praise while her music has amassed over 1 billion global streams to date.

The nominations for four "VMAs" social categories have been announced: Best Group, Best Long Form Video, Best Album and Song of Summer. All voting will be hosted on the @MTV Instagram Story until Sunday, Sept. 27 at 10:00 AM, CT. Hosted by Snoop Dogg, the “VMAs” will air live from Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 27 (6:30-8:30 PM, CT) on the CBS Television Network, simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ (Premium) in the U.S. The show will also be available globally the next day on Paramount+ and MTV.

• Best Group – Fan voting for favorite group across all genres will begin Monday, Sept. 21 at 10:00 AM, CT on the @MTV Instagram Story (three rounds, bracket-style face-off, final round tap to vote); closes Thursday, Sept. 24 at 10:00 AM, CT. The nominees are:

  • BLACKPINK

  • BTS

  • CORTIS

  • FLO

  • Fuerza Regida

  • Geese

  • KATSEYE

  • Twenty One Pilots

• Best Long Form Video – Fan voting for favorite long form video across all genres will begin Thursday, Sept. 24 at 10:00 AM, CT on the @MTV Instagram Story (one round, tap to vote); closes Friday, Sept. 25 at 10:00 AM, CT. The nominees are:

  • Charli xcx - “Music, Fashion, Film” - Atlantic Records

  • Ella Langley - “Choosin’ Texas” - Columbia Records

  • GENER8ION - “STORM starring Yung Lean” - Iconoclast Music

  • Madonna - “Confessions II – The Film” - Warner Records

• Best Album – Fan voting for favorite album across all genres will begin Friday, Sept. 25 at 10:00 AM, CT on the @MTV Instagram Story (one round, tap to vote); closes Saturday, Sept. 26 at 10:00 AM, CT. The nominees are:

  • Drake - Iceman - OVO/Republic Records

  • Madonna - Confessions II - Warner Records

  • Olivia Dean - The Art of Loving - Island

  • Olivia Rodrigo - You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love - Geffen Records

  • Sabrina Carpenter - Man’s Best Friend - Island

  • Taylor Swift - The Life of a Showgirl - Republic Records

• Song of Summer – Fan voting for all-round favorite summer 2026 hit will launch Saturday, Sept. 26 at 10:00 AM, CT on the @MTV Instagram Story (one round, tap to vote); closes Sunday, Sept. 27 at 10:00 AM, CT. The nominees are:

  • Ariana Grande - “hate that i made you love me” - Republic Records

  • Bruno Mars - “Risk It All” - Atlantic Records

  • Charli xcx - “Camera” - Atlantic Records

  • Ella Langley - “Choosin’ Texas” - Columbia Records

  • KATSEYE - “Hootie Frutti” - HYBE x Geffen Records

  • Latto ft. Doja Cat - “Okayyy” - Steamcut / RCA Records

  • Morgan Wallen - “Been by Now” - Big Loud / Mercury Records

  • Olivia Dean - “So Easy (To Fall in Love)” - Island

  • Olivia Rodrigo - “Stupid Song” - Geffen Records

  • Sabrina Carpenter - “House Tour” - Island

  • Slayyyter - “brand new chanel$” - RECORDS/Columbia Records

  • SOMBR - “Homewrecker” - SMB Music / Warner Records

  • Stella Lefty - “Boston” - Sandlot / Atlantic Outpost

  • Tame Impala & JENNIE - “Dracula” - Columbia Records

  • Taylor Swift - “I Knew It, I Knew You” - Walt Disney Records / Republic Records

• Madonna, who will open the 2026 “VMAs” with special guests, maintains her lead with the most nominations (13). Taylor Swift has 11 nods. Other top nominees include Sabrina Carpenter (9), Ariana Grande (8), Bruno Mars (6), PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson (5 each), and Charli xcx, Ella Langley, GENER8ION, KATSEYE, LISA, Olivia Rodrigo, Yung Lean (4 each).