The 2026 MTV Music Awards ended on a high note once again.
This year's annual show, which celebrated the achievements in video storytelling and music videos over the past year, was held in Los Angeles on Sunday night and hosted by Snoop Dogg.
Going into the awards show, Madonna led in nominations with 11 nods, while Taylor Swift had nine.
Here are five things you may have missed at this year's VMAs.
The awards show began with a performance from Madonna, who took the stage with Sabrina Carpenter for their hit song, "Bring Your Love."
She also performed "Danceteria" and was joined on stage by Charli XCX, with additional cameos from Julia Garner, Sombr, Seth Rogen, Debi Mazar and her longtime producer Andrew Watt.
The performance marked Madonna's first VMAs performance in 23 years.
It was a big night for Taylor Swift, who not only won the night's top award -- video of the year for "The Fate of Ophelia" -- but she received the first-ever VMAs Artist Director Honors. The award recognizes "groundbreaking music artists whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling," according to a press release.
In her acceptance speech, she thanked her fans saying, "The main reason why I love writing and directing music videos so much is because you, the fans, make it so much fun."
"You make it so rewarding because you actually care about what we're making," she added.
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After Swift received the VMAs Artist Director Honors, which was presented to her by her friend, actress Dakota Johnson, her music video for "Patient Zero" made its debut. The music video featured Johnson, actor Colin Farrell and Cara Delevingne.
The news about her music video was shared on Swift's Instagram, in which she wrote, "With the Patient Zero video, I got to explore the cinematic and literary genres I love so much. I wanted to incorporate elements of gothic ghost stories, true crime, psychological thrillers all in a setting I hadn't really shot in much."
Several powerhouses in music came together for a special performance paying tribute to George Michael, who died in 2016.
Sombr opened the performance with "Faith" and "Father Figure," while RAYE sang "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)." Afterwards, Teddy Swims sang "Careless Whisper" before Adam Lambert wrapped the tribute with a performance of "Freedom! '90."
Ahead of the performance, RAYE told ABC News on the carpet that she grew up listening to Michael's songs.
"I think it's just such an insane moment to be able to play a little part in this tribute, to honor George," RAYE said. "My goodness, what an absolute legacy, what an absolute artist, a true artist. And I'm just so proud to be a tiny little part of honoring him tonight."
Nirvana's surviving members -- Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear -- were honored with MTV's Video Vanguard Award.
Public Enemy's Chuck D presented the award to the group, who paid tribute to the late frontman Kurt Cobain, who died in 1994.
"This award brings back so many memories of making those videos," Novoselic -- Nirvana's bass guitarist -- said. "The ideas for those videos all grew out of the vision of one of the greatest artists of all time, Kurt Cobain."
He referenced one of the band's iconic songs.
"Nirvana continues to resonate so deeply because people are still hungry for authenticity. Or something real, something uncompromising, something that tells you it's OK to 'Come as You Are.' Kurt would have loved that legacy."
