28 September 2026 (Navroze Bureau) The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards brought together some of the biggest names in music, with Taylor Swift, LISA, Slayyyter, Charli XCX, RAYE, Tyla and other stars turning the red carpet into a showcase of bold fashion and individual style.
The ceremony took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 27, with rapper Snoop Dogg serving as host. The red carpet featured a mix of established icons, rising artists and performers who were among the night’s nominees and special guests.
Taylor Swift Makes a Statement
Taylor Swift was among the most closely watched arrivals of the evening.
For her first VMA red carpet as a newlywed, Swift wore a Tamara Ralph Couture look and accessorised with numerous rings. Her appearance came during a major night for the singer, who was receiving the inaugural Artist Director Honors.
Swift also entered the ceremony as one of its leading nominees and later won Video of the Year for The Fate of Ophelia.
LISA Brings K-Pop Glamour
BLACKPINK’s LISA was another major name on the red carpet.
The singer appeared in a striking red ensemble, adding a vibrant pop of colour to the arrivals. LISA was also one of the night’s performers and entered the ceremony with four VMA nominations.
Her presence further highlighted the increasingly international character of the VMAs, with K-pop continuing to occupy a major place in global pop culture.
Slayyyter Goes for Distressed Style
Pop singer Slayyyter leaned into an intentionally distressed aesthetic for her VMA appearance.
WWD described her look as an elevated distressed style, making her one of the more distinctive arrivals of the evening. Her fashion choice reflected the VMAs’ long-running tradition of allowing artists to experiment with unconventional and attention-grabbing looks.
Slayyyter also had a musical connection to the ceremony, with Dance … nominated in the returning Best Dance category.
Charli XCX and Other Stars Join the Carpet
The arrivals also included Charli XCX, who continued the evening’s mix of edgy and fashion-forward looks.
Other notable names photographed at the Peacock Theater included RAYE, Sienna Spiro, Shaboozey, PinkPantheress, Tyla, Normani, Rei Ami, Bebe Rexha, Gunna, Troye Sivan and JoJo.
Nirvana Bring Rock History to the Event
The red carpet was not limited to contemporary pop stars.
The surviving members of Nirvana — Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear — also appeared ahead of receiving the Video Vanguard Award. Their presence added a major rock-history moment to a ceremony otherwise dominated by current pop and hip-hop acts.
A Mix of Established Icons and Rising Artists
One of the defining features of the 2026 VMAs arrivals was the range of artists represented.
Alongside global stars such as Swift and LISA were newer performers and emerging names, including Stella Lefty, sombr and Sienna Spiro. The ceremony had 26 first-time nominees, reflecting the VMAs’ focus on both established artists and newer voices.
Fashion Takes Centre Stage
The VMAs red carpet has traditionally been associated with experimental fashion, and this year’s arrivals continued that tradition.
Fashion coverage highlighted everything from Swift’s couture styling to the textured and unconventional looks worn by artists such as Slayyyter and Teyana Taylor. Vogue described the event as an opportunity for musicians to embrace bold and avant-garde fashion.
A Big Night for Music and Fashion
The 2026 MTV VMAs combined music’s biggest names with a highly watched fashion showcase.
With Madonna leading the nominations, Swift receiving a new career honour, LISA performing and numerous emerging artists making their mark, the ceremony offered plenty of moments for fans beyond the awards themselves.
See the Best Red Carpet Photos
Photos from the evening captured the range of looks at the Peacock Theater, from Taylor Swift and LISA to Slayyyter, Charli XCX, RAYE, Tyla, Nirvana and many others. Major entertainment publications including Billboard, People, Variety, Vogue and Entertainment Weekly published extensive galleries from the event.