The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards received off to a delayed begin Sunday evening, September 27, and have become a speaking level on-line for causes past the awards.
The ceremony, hosted by Snoop Dogg at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, was scheduled to start at 7:30 pm ET however was pushed again by roughly 20 minutes because the Baltimore Ravens vs Dallas Cowboys NFL sport ran lengthy.
The VMAs have been formally billed as a reside broadcast on CBS, MTV and Paramount+.
The delay was adopted by extra dialogue after Madonna opened the present along with her first VMAs efficiency in 23 years. Bruno Mars then appeared by a efficiency of “Dance With Me” that was introduced from his Romantic Tour relatively than as a reside look on the ceremony.
VMAs 2026 delayed begin frustrates viewers
The late begin turned one of many first complaints from viewers ready for the ceremony. Some followers mentioned they have been pissed off as a result of they’d anticipated the present to start on the marketed time.
One viewer wrote, “this isn’t regular wtf do u imply??? it’s delayed virtually 25 minutes. i can’t even scroll through twitter cus im on a bruno mars efficiency and that i don’t wanna get spoiled…”
The VMAs had been promoted as a reside occasion from Los Angeles, with CBS and MTV scheduled to hold the ceremony on the identical time.
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Madonna’s opening efficiency sparks lip-sync debate
Madonna’s return to the VMAs was one of many largest moments of the evening. She opened the ceremony alongside Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX, marking her first efficiency on the awards since 2003.
The flowery efficiency acquired loads of consideration, however some viewers centered on what they believed have been lip-sync points. One fan wrote, “okay i gotta admit Madonna is killing it! Besides that one lip sync mess up.”
One other viewer posted, “Madonna forgets to observe her personal lip sync,” whereas one other described the lip-sync as “actually blatant.”
The response was not utterly damaging. Some viewers praised Madonna’s vitality and the size of the efficiency, whereas others questioned the vocal presentation.
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Bruno Mars’ pre-recorded efficiency disappoints followers
Bruno Mars additionally turned a part of the dialog after his “Dance With Me” efficiency was proven utilizing footage from his Romantic Tour. He was not on the Peacock Theater in particular person, as he was scheduled to carry out at Falcon Stadium in Colorado as a part of the tour.
Some viewers have been upset that the efficiency was not reside from the VMAs. Others merely identified that the footage had been recorded throughout his tour.
One fan reacted to the section by noting that it was “pre-recorded,” whereas one other expressed disappointment that Bruno was not performing reside on the awards present.
Regardless of the complaints, the evening nonetheless delivered a number of main performances and moments, with Madonna’s return and Bruno Mars’ look changing into two of essentially the most mentioned components of the printed.