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Most Shocking MTV VMAs Moments: Britney Spears & Madonna's Kiss, Kanye West & Taylor Swift and More
D-O-Double-G is gearing up for MTV.
Snoop Dogg is hosting the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards live from Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater Sept. 27. And if you need a reminder on who’s nominated this year, we can drop it like it’s hot.
Madonna—who is opening the show with her first VMAs performance in 23 years—can take a bow as she heads into the night with a whopping 13 nods. Taylor Swift is also ready for her VMAs encore as she enters the ceremony with 11 nominations. In fact, the “Cleveland!” artist has already made history by being named the first-ever recipient of the Artist Director Honors. And something we all can agree on is that fans are excited for the release of her new "Patient Zero" music video.
Other nominees include Sabrina Carpenter with nine nominations, Ariana Grande with eight and Bruno Mars with six. PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson follow closely behind with five apiece and Charli xcx, Ella Langley, GENER8ION, KATSEYE, LISA, Olivia Rodrigo and Yung Lean each have four. Plus, Nirvana will be receiving the prestigious Video Vanguard Award.
Of course, the show isn’t just about the trophies. There’s also the performances, the tributes and the star-studded fashion. And over the years, there have been quite a few jaw-dropping looks.
Two words: Meat. Dress.
Ahead of the 2010 award show, “I was speaking with my artistic friends about if we wanted to make any statements while we were at the MTV Video Music Awards, and we did want to make a statement because at the time they were trying to repeal 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,'" Lady Gaga, up for two awards this year, recalled to British Vogue in 2021. "But we decided to do the meat dress because I thought to myself, 'If you were willing to die for your country, what does it matter how you identify?'"
Designed by Franc Fernandez and "the brainchild of Haus of Gaga," she continued, the meat dress was paired with a matching hat, pair of shoes and purse, which was famously held by Cher at the ceremony.
"It smelled like meat," added Gaga, who recently welcomed a baby girl with fiancé Michael Polansky. "It was thrilling to wear. There’s a corset under this, but the corset was sewn to the meat. So, this is actually a garment. They didn’t just drape meat over me and cross their fingers."
MARK RALSTON / AFP / Frank Trapper / Corbis via Getty Images
There was also the crystal Versace ensemble Miley Cyrus wore when she hosted the VMAs back in 2015.
“Miley felt strongly about it!” her stylist at the time Simone Harouche recounted to Vogue the following year. “It seemed to be the culmination of everything Miley wanted to project as host of the VMAs. It was commanding, provocative, and also a bit tongue and cheek.”
Although, she admitted putting the “Wrecking Ball” singer’s outfit together wasn’t easy.
“We had to be very careful with the shading of nude tulle underneath the crystals,” Harouche noted. “We needed to make sure she was covered, but also needed to create the perfect ‘nude illusion.’”
As fans wait to see which looks go viral this year, look back at more bold outfits that once hit the MTV VMAs red carpet.
Steve Granitz via Gett Images
Lady Gaga
Ahh the meat dress. Who could forget this moment from the 2010 VMAs? (The answer is no one.)
Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
Doja Cat
The "Paint the Town Red" rapper freed the nipple in a web-inspired gown by Monse at the 2023 ceremony.
Evan Agostini/Getty Images
Britney Spears
At the 2002 show, the "Stronger" singer said goodbye to the frilly, girly and glitzy gowns she was then-known for, shocking the crowd with an edgy halter dress, lace-up heels, gloves and captain hat.
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Nicki Minaj
The "Starships" emcee arrived at the 2011 show in this larger-than-life ensemble—with the remnants of stuffed animals lining her legs.
Robin Platzer/Twin Images/Online USA
Pink
Raise your glass to this fierce lewk. Not one for following trends, the singer graced the 2000 red carpet with vibrant pink spikey hair, low-rise jeans, a gold sequins halter top and bold coat.
Matt Baron/Shutterstock
Megan Fox
The Jennifer's Body actress bared her own bod in a nearly-naked look at the 2021 ceremony.
Ron Galella/WireImage
Lil Kim
Back in 1998, the rapper gave new meaning to color coordination. Her wig, jumpsuit, pasties and lipstick all matched, making this lilac look instantly iconic.
Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
Lil Nas X
The "Montero" rapper had everyone calling him by his name when he showed up at the 2022 ceremony in a massive feathered skirt and matching headpiece by Harris Reed.
Sonia Moskowitz via Getty Images
Madonna
Vogue! The pop star struck a pose at the 1984 awards ceremony in her iconic white-hot dress, lace gloves and statement jewelry pieces.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
The Disney Channel alum came in like a wrecking ball with this number back in 2015.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images
Amber Rose
Rawr: In 2018, the model accessorized her bondage-inspired, red latex bodysuit with a cat mask and whip.
Dave Hogan/Getty Images
Christina Aguilera
In 2002, the "Dirrty" singer's Y2K uniform often consisted of mini skirts, scarves as tops and page boy-esque hats.
Dimitrios Kambouris via Getty Images
Diplo
One word: Yeehaw! The DJ surprised fans and viewers at the 2019 event with his wildly colorful get-up. From his patterned suit to the matching cowboy hat and flashy belt buckle, this was an unforgettable red carpet moment.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Gwen Stefani
The No Doubt frontwoman's iconic 1998 style will forever be admired, including this outfit. The blue hair, matching bikini top, face jewelry and hula-hoop skirt paired with pants truly embodied the "more is more" approach.
Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock
Tinashe
The "Nasty" singer bared almost all during the 2023 ceremony.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Justina Valentine
A fashion statement, literally. The "Candy Land" rapper had an important message to share as she walked the red carpet in a rainbow-colored jumpsuit.
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Jennifer Lopez
The same year J.Lo wore her legendary green Versace dress, she also rocked this all-white ensemble to the 2000 MTV VMAs. From the bedazzled bandana to the glitzy Sean John crop top, this was the epitome of the early aughts.
Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Cindy Crawford
The Versace design that dropped jaws and turned heads. The supermodel sizzled at the 1992 ceremony with this dominatrix-esque dress.
Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
Katy Perry
The "Fireworks" singer brought the glitz and the glamour to the 2008 ceremony. However, she kept her ensemble playful and flirty with purple heels, a feathered accessory, a diamond hairpiece and a patriotic purse.
Robin Platzer/Twin Images/Online USA
Destiny's Child
Triple threat! The trio mixed dazzling with daring at the 2000 show. From the bedazzled bustiers to the latex leather bottoms, Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé and Michelle Williams stunned in these uniquely designed outfits.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images
Ava Max
Bam! The "Sweet But Psycho" singer was a force on the 2019 red carpet with her superhero-inspired ensemble.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Sky Days
The Black Ink Crew star wasn't afraid to show some skin in 2018 with her sparkly pasties, which perfectly matched her glitzy suit.
Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
Bebe Rexha
The "I'm Gonna Show You Crazy" singer wasn't horsing around at the 2023 ceremony, showing up in a black gown that featured a long tail and butt cheek cutouts.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Baddie Winkle
Channeling her best Britney Spears in "Toxic," the influencer's 2016 red carpet outfit packed major personality.
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com
Rose McGowan
Before Rihanna hit the CFDA Awards in 2014, there was the Charmed actress at the 1998 MTV VMAs in this see-through number.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images
Rita Ora
She never lets us down! Arriving on the red carpet in 2018, the singer left little to the imagination with this sheer gown.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images
Bella Hadid
The supermodel left the typical dress at home, and instead, opted for something fun, flirty and fierce in 2019.
Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com
Macy Gray
Back in 2001, Instagram wasn't yet a thing. So, Macy took it upon herself to throw in some shameless self-promotion.
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Jessie J
We applaud the singer's determination to not let her injury get in the way of a fabulous outfit in 2011.
Getty Images
Amber Rose & Blac Chyna
Twins! Leave it to stars to make a serious statement on the 2015 red carpet.
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