Madonna, 68, torched by fans over 'utterly unfocused' MTV VMAs 2026 comeback performance... 23 years after THAT steamy Britney kiss

Madonna shocked fans as she made a blockbuster return to the MTV Video Music Awards stage on Sunday, 23 years after her steamy kiss with Britney Spears made pop culture history.

The Queen of Pop, 68, who has emerged as the artist with the most nods with 11 nominations, showed off her toned frame in a Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello ensemble - but fans quickly slammed the star over her 'utterly unfocused' performance.

Madonna donned a black satin trench coat, a red leotard and knee-high boots as she performed hit Bring Your Love with collaborator, Sabrina Carpenter, 27. 

The pop icon was seen draped in latex in a steamy visual, accompanied by the statement, 'It's mother!' before dancers contorted themselves on stage - while lasers shot from their crotches.

Beginning her performance with her legs spread while sat on top of a piano played by Carpenter, Madonna exuded confidence as she belted out the anthem.

The star stripped off to the leotard before she was carried across stage onto a platform, where a choir belted out Bring Your Love.

The star writhed about as she was taken through the crowds before Charli XCX's entrance.

Madonna joined Charli for a high octane rendition of Danceteria Afterhours remix – but fans watching on TV were left furious as the ceremony was delayed due to an overrunning football game. 

The raunchy segment saw a scantily-clad Sombr make a shock cameo by a toilet cubicle, before Madonna was lifted into the air by a hunky dancer. 

However fans flocked to social media to accuse Madonna of lip-syncing and share their fears after the star was seen seemingly out of breath onstage. 

One fan wrote, 'MTV & CBS really fumbled Madonna tonight. The delay was bad enough, but those HORRIBLE camera angles during her performance? Come on. She deserved so much better.'

Another wrote, 'I wish I could’ve seen Madonna in her prime! Mama is TIRED and out of breath on this MTV #VMAs stage. And yes, I know she’s almost 70, so I’m not expecting 1985 Madonna, but whew!

'I’ll still give her credit where it’s due: she released one of the best albums of the year.'  

Others wrote, 'Ima say something controversial. Madonna this is boring.'

'madonna performance... wow... utterly unfocused and just a got damn MESS!!!!!!!'

'Madonna doesn’t know how to hang it up. This is one of the weirdest and most cringe things I’ve ever seen. Why are the MTV Music Awards on CBS after football?'

Others praised the star for her 'iconic' performance, which also included cameos from Debi Mazar and Seth Rogen. 

One fan wrote, 'She's 68, bravo to her for still being able to get up in stage and move it the way she did.' 

Madonna and Carpenter later won best collaboration, beating out Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T and Malice for Chains & Whips as well as Shakira and Burna Boy for Dai Dai, Teyana Taylor and Lucky Daye's Hard Part, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson's Stateside and French Montana and Max B's Ever Since U Left Me.   

Madonna and Swift, 36, will be vying against each other for the evening's top honor, video of the year, with Swift up for The Fate of Ophelia and Madonna for Confessions II (The Film).

During 2003's MTV VMAs, Madonna had a prolonged kiss with Spears during their opening performance for the ceremony.

Spears opened the show by singing Madonna's Like a Virgin, emerging out of a wedding cake while dressed as a bride, as Madonna did in her 1984 VMAs performance.

Soon after that, Aguilera joined Spears onstage for the song before Madonna appeared and launched into her single Hollywood. During the performance, Madonna leaned over and kissed Spears, before locking lips with Aguilera

During the broadcast only the image of Spears and Madonna was aired, followed by a reaction shot of Spears' former flame Justin Timberlake.

The sapphic moment has gone on to be one of the most memorable in the history of the MTV Video Music Awards.

After their public make out session, Spears and Madonna went on to collaborate on the hit single Me Against The Music.

Madonna's VMAs coup comes after she earned a burst of critical acclaim and fan adoration for her latest album Confessions II, which was released July 3 and serves as a sequel to her 2005 smash hit Confessions on a Dance Floor.

Madonna's Confessions II (The Film) is also up for dance video of the year, against such competition as  Aperture by Harry Styles, Runway by Lady Gaga and Doechii and New Religion by Bebe Rexha and Faithless.

The other nominees in that category are Dance... by Slayyyter, Stateside by PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson and Nobody's Girl by Tate McRae.