Madonna's VMAs 2026 performance draws fan backlash over apparent lip-syncing
Madonna's VMAs 2026 performance draws fan backlash over apparent lip-syncing
Lauren DuBois & Angelica Cheyenne & Lauren MartinezMon, September 28, 2026 at 1:23 AM UTC
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Madonna fans noticed she was lip syncing at the VMAs -Credit:MTV
Madonna, whose music videos played a pivotal role in building MTV's popularity when the network launched in 1981, made her return to the MTV Video Music Awards stage for the first time in over 20 years — but sharp-eyed viewers were quick to notice she appeared to be lip-syncing during her much-anticipated comeback.
The pop legend's last VMA appearance dates back to 2003, when she performed alongside fellow pop icons Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears — a show best remembered for Madonna's now-legendary kisses with both stars.
Now, despite making history by overtaking Taylor Swift with nominations at this year's show, fans raised eyebrows at the legendary pop star's live vocals during the VMAs.
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Madonna kicked off the show performing alongside Sabrina Carpenter for their collaboration, Bring Your Love, before welcoming Charli XCX to the stage for Danceteria.
While the performance was widely celebrated — particularly for the impressive roster of celebrities who joined the singers onstage — many viewers couldn't shake the feeling that Madonna was miming her way through the set, reports the Express US.
Flocking to X, formerly known as Twitter, fans pointed to several moments where it seemed apparent that the pop queen wasn't actually singing live, even as many acknowledged enjoying the spectacle overall.
"That Madonna performance was actually insane even if the camera did catch her red-handed lip-syncing," one person wrote, while another said, "They had to cut away to "hide" that Madonna is lip-syncing cuz the mic wasn't even near her face in that one shot."
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Some viewers still sang her praises, referring to the 68-year-old as an "icon" who had more than earned the right to do so.
Madonna was caught lip syncing at the VMAs -Credit:MTV
"Stage design was incredible. Madonna did not care to say the words to her song while clearly lip-syncing, and that's okay cause she's earned it," one person said.
"15 mins delay & they still show MADONNA not singing during a transition~ I can't wait to turn this off #VMAS she seems lethargic* this part with her doing yoga on a rotating board is cool tho still would hit ong omg it's CHARLI XCX ok this "DANCETERIA. " part kicks ass," another wrote.
"Madonna is so funny, like not even trying to hide the fact that the mic isn't on. What an icon," a third added.
Yet a significant number of viewers criticized the move, particularly how blatantly obvious it appeared.
Many fans still praised her as an icon who earned the right to lip sync -Credit:MTV
"Madonna was lip-syncing. Lame," one person said, while another wrote, "Madonna has been in the game far too long to be that obviously lip-syncing...This is really bad."
"The lip-syncing on the VMAs is awful from this Madonna performance," a third added, while a fourth chimed in, "So Madonna is obviously lip-syncing, and I've never seen a worse performance."
In addition to taking the stage at the 2026 MTV VMAs, the music legend also topped the nominations list for this year's ceremony.
While Madonna leads with 13 nominations, Taylor Swift follows with 11, Sabrina Carpenter secured 9, Ariana Grande earned 8, and Bruno Mars received 6.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
