Madonna, 68, delivered a characteristically chaotic acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards, openly admitting she didn't know which award she was receiving. The pop icon opened the ceremony with her first live performance at the event in 23 years, joined by Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Opening performance and a confusing win
The Vogue singer treated viewers to an eight-minute spectacle of songs from her latest record, Confessions II, including Bring Your Love and Danceteria Afterhours. The album, released in July and her 15th, was awarded in several categories, including best dance for its accompanying film.
Taking the stage, Madonna began with a quip about the microphone height: 'I'm short, but I'm not this short. Don't make me bow down. I've been doing that for too long.' She then instructed Charli XCX and Troye Sivan to 'get over here' after they presented her with the award.
Charli XCX clarifies the category
'I'm kind of unclear what this award is for,' she admitted. 'I guess it's for the short film?' Charli then opened the envelope to remind her, explaining that she was being awarded for Confessions II – The Film, a 14-minute production featuring cameos from Benedict Cumberbatch to Kate Moss.
'Well, I feel good surrounded by people who like dance – Charli and Troye,' Madonna continued. 'Here's the thing: I came to New York to be a dancer. And dance is where everything happened for me in my life. I came to life on the dance floor. I found my community on the dance floor. I fell in love with people on a dance floor. And I lost many people I loved on the dance floor. But how many people in this room love to dance?'
As the room cheered, she concluded: 'Aside from soccer, football, whatever you wanna call it, dance brings everybody together, OK? We are all equal on the dance floor.'
Fan reactions and more wins
Viewers praised her awkward energy, with @sanglienmusic commenting on YouTube: 'She's so awkward – I love her'. @gustavonieto7411 echoed, 'I love how awkward she can be but still speak from the heart'. Others said it 'feels like the 2000s again' to see Madonna receiving awards, while @davidcoronado7198 declared her speech 'iconic'.
Madonna entered the evening as the most nominated artist with 13 nods, seven of which she took home, including artist of the year. Accepting the award for best collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter for Bring Your Love, she revealed how she made the duet happen: 'Everybody who knows me knows how impatient I am. When five days passed, and I still didn't get connected with Sabrina… And didn't hear back from her about whether she wanted to do a song with me – five days! – I DMed her. And this is a true story. She answered me back, and I don't know, within weeks we were in the studio together. It was fabulous.'
At the start of the show, Madonna arrived atop a black grand piano, with Sabrina playing the keys before joining in for choreography. The medley also featured Seth Rogen, Julia Garner, Debi Mazar, and Tony Ward, Madonna's ex-boyfriend from the 90s, who got a butt grab while standing at a fake urinal.
