# Madonna Wins Artist of the Year at 2026 VMAs

> Madonna claims Artist of the Year at 2026 VMAs after a year of self-discovery.
- Title: Madonna Wins Artist of the Year at 2026 VMAs · Rolling Stone
- Summary: Madonna claims Artist of the Year at 2026 VMAs after a year of self-discovery. Madonna won Artist of the Year at the 2026 VMAs after spending the last…
- Keywords: madonna, vmas, artist of the year, confessions ii, troye sivan, charli xcx, 2026, mtv, Wins, Artist, Year, Rolling Stone
- Source: Rolling Stone — https://rollingstone.com/music/music-news/madonna-vmas-2026-artist-of-the-year-1235631848
- Author: Jon Blistein,Jaeden Pinder
- Published: 2026-09-28T01:34:50+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: madonna, vmas, artist of the year, confessions ii, troye sivan, charli xcx, 2026, mtv
## Madonna Wins Artist of the Year
Madonna took home the Moon Person for Artist of the Year at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, beating out Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Morgan Wallen, Sabrina Carpenter, and Taylor Swift.
## Madonna Wins Best Dance Award
She later won the VMA for Best Dance for "Confessions II, The Film" at the 2026 VMAs.
## Madonna's Artist of the Year Speech
Madonna joked about her shoes and stage dive at the 1984 VMAs, saying her manager told her her career was over after she felt proud of herself.
## Madonna's Self-Discovery Message
Madonna said she spent the last year-and-a-half finding herself, believing in herself, and making the music she wanted to make.
## Madonna's Dance Floor Philosophy
Madonna stated dance brings everyone together, saying she lost many loved ones on the dance floor but found equality there.
## Madonna's 2026 VMA Success
Madonna led all nominees with 13 nominations, winning Best Collaboration for "Bring Your Love" featuring Sabrina Carpenter.
## Key takeaway

Madonna won Artist of the Year at the 2026 VMAs after spending the last year-and-a-half finding herself.