The Newshound

Furious viewers call the VMAs 'dead' and a 'mess' as Madonna's chaotic comeback sparks concern for her health

From the Newshound archive · first published 28 September 2026.

Furious viewers call the VMAs 'dead' and a 'mess' as Madonna's chaotic comeback sparks concern for her health

Viewer fury erupted after the 2026 MTV VMAs, with fans declaring the ceremony a 'mess' that may never return. Madonna, 68, opened the Los Angeles show for the first time in 23 years alongside Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX, but drew mixed reactions after backing dancers appeared to violently hurl her around the stage. Snoop Dogg hosted a night that also featured Taylor Swift, who premiered a new single and collected the inaugural Artist Director Honors.

Fans watching at home posted clips asking 'Is Madonna okay?' after she appeared to be dragged and dropped by her dancers mid-performance.

Madonna also drew criticism for an 'obviously bad' lip-sync blunder moments into her opening number, with viewers panning her routine as 'terrible'.

The show featured performers including Shaboozey, Bruno Mars, Raye and Kacey Musgraves, who sang 'I Will Always Love You' as a tribute to Dolly Parton.

MoreThe SunFurious VMAs viewers call 'dead' ceremony a 'mess' & claim it might not returnladbible.comMadonna's VMA kickoff sees her 'thrown around like a ragdoll' in chaotic performanceGB NewsMadonna, 68, suffers 'obviously bad' blunder moments into MTV VMAs performance as fans pan 'terrible' routineThe SunMadonna, 68, sparks concern at VMAs after she’s violently thrown onto platform during wild performanceew.comThe best and worst moments from the 2026 MTV VMAs - ew.comThe Hollywood ReporterMadonna Opens 2026 VMAs With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX - The Hollywood ReporterAOL.comMadonna, 68, leaves all to imagination in VMAs opener as viewers say she 'saved' show - AOL.comYahooTaylor Swift turned up, Madonna let loose and everybody smoked: The 2026 MTV VMAs, from every angle
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →