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Taylor Swift, LISA, Paris Hilton, Julia Garner and Troye Sivan took centre stage on the red carpet at the 2026 MTV VMAs in Los Angeles last night
The music world turned its attention to Los Angeles once again last night for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, one of those ceremonies where the red carpet generated almost as much conversation as the awards themselves. The Peacock Theater welcomed singers, actors, models and television personalities ahead of a ceremony packed with major names.
Among the stars walking the red carpet were Taylor Swift, LISA, Troye Sivan, Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton and Julia Garner, once again turning the VMAs red carpet into a catwalk where haute couture, experimental styling and some of the trends set to define the coming months came together.
Fashion also took on a particularly prominent role at this year’s ceremony. For the first time since 2009, the VMAs did not feature the traditional pre-show performances, meaning all eyes were firmly focused on the guests’ arrivals before the main event began.
Taylor Swift and LISA among the night’s biggest stars
Taylor Swift was one of the main centres of attention throughout the evening. The artist received the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, while the broadcast also featured the premiere of the music video for ‘Patient Zero’.
Another standout was LISA, who was also part of the evening’s performance line-up alongside RAYE, Sienna Spiro, Shaboozey, Gunna, GENER8ION and Yung Lean.
The ceremony was hosted by Snoop Dogg, while Madonna entered the night as the most-nominated artist of this year’s awards, with 13 nominations. The singer also opened the VMAs with her first performance at the ceremony in 23 years, becoming the first artist to open the show on five occasions.
Paris Hilton, Charli XCX and Troye Sivan shine on the red carpet
The guest list also included Paris and Nicky Hilton, Troye Sivan and Julia Garner, alongside other major names from music, film and television. Among the evening’s presenters were Charli XCX, Tyla, Teyana Taylor, Alex Warren, Emma Bunton, Orville Peck, Chuck D and David Corenswet.
The ceremony also made room for two special tributes. Kacey Musgraves paid tribute to Dolly Parton, while RAYE, Sombr and Teddy Swims honoured George Michael.
A day later, the 2026 VMAs have once again proved that their red carpet remains one of the most unpredictable on the music calendar. And this year, without a musical pre-show competing for attention, fashion became the first major spectacle of the night.
