• A Complete Slay

  

  The Wor$t Girl in America is here and she looks drop-dead gorgeous. Though Slayyyter is often decked out in flannels and trucker hats, she arrived at the VMAs in a glitzy boho-chic gown that complemented her honeyed hair. Tonight, she’s nominated for her first two Moon Persons – Best Dance (for “Dance …”) and Song of the Summer (“Brand New Chanel$”).

• Keep It Bella

  

  Bella Poarch arrived at the VMAs in a deconstructed ensemble featuring lace, ribbons, and an avant-garde bustle, and topped the look off with an otherworldly updo. The Filipina-American TikTok-sensation-turned-pop-star released her debut album, Picnic At The Cemetery, earlier this month.

• Queen Chloe

  

  Chloe Bailey won’t have mercy on us with this jaw-dropping look. The singer and Beyoncé protege’s looked like an Etré Art Deco drawing, modernized by exposing her midriff (and bleaching her brows).

• Silver Stella

  

  Stella Lefty has been through the internet ringer lately. But for the country-pop artist’s first VMA Awards, where she’s nominated for two Moon People, Lefty decided to keep things pretty elegant. With her hair up in a promlike updo, Lefty chose a silver and white silk dress with a detailed, dripping back that was giving “Love Story” era Taylor Swift.

• All Eyes on JoJo

  

  Beach on top, chic on the bottom. JoJo’s look continued the VMA tradition of showing some skin, with a black studded bra and crystal adorned skirt that dusted the tops of her sky-high platforms. Fresh off the New York Fashion Week circuit, JoJo topped the ensemble with sleek ombré hair.

• Classic Sienna

  

  Sienna Spiro touched down at the 2026 VMAs looking like an Old Hollywood movie star. Given her love of classic pop and jazz music, the 20-year-old singer’s vintage aesthetic paired well with her penchant for the past.

• Outlaw Chic

  

  Orville Peck, who released his new album Mule last week, decided to keep things sleek and country for his turquoise carpet walk. Complete with his signature mask, Peck chose a black cowboy hat and fringed leather jacket for an appropriately outlaw look – but centered it all with a little heart by layering a Keith Haring t-shirt underneath.

• Raye of Light

  

  Vocal powerhouse Raye went for a classic and crowd-pleasing look at the 2026 VMAs. The singer wore a crystallized, scoop neck gown and topped it off with a crimson red lip to match her bob. Later tonight, she’ll lead a George Michael tribute performance alongside Sombr and Teddy Swims.

• Lady in Red

  

  Sawadika, Lalisa! The K-Pop superstar rolled up to the VMAs in a massive hot red coat and bodycon gown that stood out on the VMAs aqua-toned carpet. Tonight, she’s nominated for four Moon Persons, and will perform her new single “Sawadika.”

• Feathered Out

  

  You can always count on Teyana Taylor to bring it on the red carpet. At this year’s VMas, Taylor showed up decked out in an all-black latticed robe featuring massive plumes of feathers along her collar, skirt hem, and wrists. While she’s on presenting duties, she’s also battling it out for Best Collaboration (for “Hard Part” with Lucky Daye).

• Goth Star

  

  Is goth fashion back or did it ever really leave? Regardless, Charli XCX is leaning into the trend with this Elvira-inspired black velvet look. The Music, Fashion, Film pop provocateur is up for four awards tonight, including Best Pop (“SS26”) and Song of Summer (“Camera”).

• Western Tales

  

  Shaboozey absolutely looked the outlaw that he sings about on his new album, The Outlaw Cherie & Other Western Tales, as he walked the VMA Carpet. Primed to join Gunna for a version of his song “High Noon” on the telecast, Shaboozey looked sleek in a full black leather suit with matching tie. He topped it off, in country tradition, with a big silver belt buckle.

• Polka Dot Pantheress

  

  Polka dots are in this year, and PinkPantheress got the memo. The British pop star and producer wore a ruffled maroon dress with oblique dotting. Tonight, she’s nominated for five awards, including Song of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Dance, all for her mega remix of “Stateside” featuring Zara Larsson.

• Swan King

  

  We can certainly count on Troye Sivan to bring the drama, and he delivered tonight. Sivan’s quirky take on the classic tuxedo boasted a draped silk cummerbund with white feathers dripping out from underneath (Bjork’s iconic swan dress would be proud).  With a new album, She’s the Best, due in October, Sivan topped the look with a rigid, popped collar.

• Cape Crusade

  

  No caption needed here – literally. Adam Lambert never disappoints when it comes to red carpet theatrics, and he arrived with a headpiece shaped into his name (and title of his recent album), inspired by designer Philip Treacy’s Isabella Blow headpiece. He also donned a black opera robe: TBD if he’s planning to unveil whatever might be underneath later.

• All Fur

  

  Fur, jewels, a belt with the word “sex” on the buckle: Sombr went all out for his VMA’s outfit, and we’re grateful for it (though he didn’t bother to wear a shirt). At the awards to perform a tribute to George Michael with Teddy Swims and Raye, we can only assume that his choice of accessories is hinting at what songs he might have in store.

• Normani Blossoms

  

  Normani never misses with her VMA looks, and this year she arrived shimmering and sleek as if her dress had been poured onto her. With a huge flower sprouting from her shoulder and a flowing black skirt, it was a striking, memorable fashion moment.

• Old-School Glamour

  

  South African star Tyla opted for a snakeskin print ‘fit at the 2026 VMAs. Sporting a denim-hued bra and pencil skirt with a classic pair of pumps, she transported us back to the risqué garb of the VMAs in the aughts.

• Sleek and Simple

  

  Anything goes at the VMA’s, including rolling down the red carpet in a t-shirt. That’s the look that Teddy Swims, who will be appearing tonight as part of a George Michael tribute with Sombr and Raye, went for: a black tee and crisp black pants. His coral nails served as the only pop of color.

• Purse First

  

  Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear kept their looks simple to receive the Video Vanguard award tonight on behalf of Nirvana (though we do love Smear’s little black purse). Nirvana may have been video icons, but they also boasted one of the most memorable performances in the show’s history, bringing down the house with “Lithium” in 1992.

• Sister, Sister

  

  Paris Hilton showed up to the VMAs looking like she arrived from outer space in a gladiator style silver get-up and blunt bob. With sister Nicky Hilton at her side, we only have one thing to say about their looks tonight: That’s hot.

• One of Wun

  

  Gunna arrived at the VMAs in a sleek beige suit and topped it off with some iced out jewelry. Later tonight, he’ll join country superstar Shaboozey for a performance of their collaborative track “High Noon.”

• Hannah and Garrett Forever

  

  Off Campus…and on the VMA turquoise carpet. Fresh from their steamy hit show, stars Ella Bright and Belmont Cameli went for classic looks: his, different shades of denim on top and bottom with hers, a form fitting black gown. They both topped the outfits with black sunglasses.

• More Than Ordinary

  

  Wild Child Alex Warren strode into the VMAs with wife Kouvr at his side. Tonight, he’s on presenting duties and wearing a casual black get-up, punctuated with a red tie.

• Taylor Time

  

  It’s a huge night ahead for Taylor Swift: She’s set to receive the inaugural Artist Director honors, making her the most awarded artist in VMA history. She’ll also premiere her “Patient Zero” video. And though she may take risks in her music and behind the camera, one place she keeps it pretty safe is the red carpet. Wearing a shimmering white skirt over what looks like a black mesh bodysuit, Swift went for elegant over headline-grabbing.

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