Madonna opens MTV Video Music Awards with performance and leads nominations

Superstar Madonna opened the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) ceremony with a lively performance to a medley from her album “Confessions on a Dance Floor II”. At the start of the awards gala in Los Angeles, she brought dozens of singers and dancers onto the stage. Sabrina Carpenter and the Queen of Pop sang their duet song “Bring Your Love”. With Charli XCX, Madonna debuted the joint recording “Danceteria Afterhours” with the refrain “Everybody get up and dance”.

The 68-year-old pop icon was singing on the VMA stage for the first time in 23 years. In 2003, she made global headlines during a live performance with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera when she French kissed her younger colleagues. At that time, Madonna presented her song “Hollywood”. Since then, the singer has returned to the VMA stage sporadically, but without a musical performance.

Madonna leads the nominations

Madonna is leading the VMA awards this year with a total of 13 nominations, including in the categories of video (“Confessions II - The Film”), artist and song of the year (“Bring Your Love”). Pop superstar Taylor Swift (36) follows with 11 nominations. In July, Madonna released a studio album with “Confessions on a Dance Floor II” for the first time since 2019 and conquered the charts.

The trophy show takes place in Los Angeles. The prizes have been awarded since 1984. Fans can vote for their favorites online. The trophies depict an astronaut figure holding an MTV flag.