LISA and more among the first wave of performers announced for the 2026 MTV VMAs

The MTV VMAs are 10 days away, and it’s going to be a showstopping night as the biggest names in music are celebrated. Yesterday, MTV announced that Madonna would be opening the show, returning for her first performance in 23 years, but of course she won’t be the only one performing. 

The first wave of performers has been announced, and Raye, Blackpink’s LISA, and Best New Artist nominee Siennne Spiro are on the list. We will also see Gener8ion and Yung Lean perform their song “Storm II” for the first time. 

Shaboozey is also hitting the stage and will be joined by Gunna to perform their track “High Noon.”

Raye is going into the night with two nominations: Song of the Year for “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”  and Best Visual Effects for “Click Clack Symphony”  ft. Hans Zimmer. 

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LISA is among those leading the pack with 4 nominations, including Best Pop, Best K-Pop, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing, for “Dream” feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi. 

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As for Shaboozey, he has two nominations: Best Cinematography and Best Country for “Cowgirl.”

Madonna is opening the show

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The Queen of Pop is to open the show, making it a full-circle moment. She first performed at the awards inaugural night on September 14, 1984.

The 68-year-old is leading the pack with 11 nominations, more than any other artist, including nods for Artist of the Year and Video of the Year, Best Collaboration, Art Direction, Cinematography, Editing, Dance, Direction, Choreography, and Visual Effects.

Throughout her career, she has collected 20 VMA wins, including the Video Vanguard Award, and has received more than 80 nominations.

Who is receiving the MTV Video Vanguard Award for 2026?

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 Nirvana will receive the MTV Video Vanguard Award for 2026 in honor of their impact on music and pop culture.

The iconic band made their debut on the MTV VMAs in 1992. Their performance had some lure, with the network refusing to let them play their song “Rape Me”; however, Kurt Cobain strummed and sang a few bars before going into “Lithium.”

They received awards that year for Best Alternative Video and Best New Artist categories for their track “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” In 1993, “In Bloom” won Best Alternative Video. 

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Cobain died by suicide on April 5, 1994. Months later, at the 1994 awards, “Heart Shaped Box” would go on to win Best Alternative Video and Best Art Direction in a Video.

MTV announced the news on September 9, saying, “This day in 1992, Nirvana took to the VMAs stage for the first time – shaping music, culture, and MTV forever. Nirvana is our 2026 #VMAs Video Vanguard recipient.”

How to Vote for the 2026 VMAs

 There is still time to vote for the awards. You can vote up to 10 times per category a day using the official VMAs website until Friday, September 25, at 5:59 p.m. ET. The voting for Best New Artist ends right before they announce the winner on the live broadcast.