Madonna's VMAs appearance was marked by chaos, as she delivered her first show-opening performance in 23 years, took home seven awards, reunited with a famous ex and made an awkward remark about Sabrina Carpenter.
The 68-year-old Like A Prayer singer was the night's biggest winner, collecting seven awards and bringing her career total to 26 VMAs, placing her just behind Taylor Swift's 32 and Beyonce's 26.
Record-breaking performance
Madonna set a VMAs record with her risque performance, which marked her fifth time opening the show. She had previously been tied with Rihanna, with both holding four show-openers.
She also became the oldest recipient of the Artist of the Year award. Wearing a corsetted leather top, red hotpants, fishnet tights and over-the-knee boots, she performed alongside Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, SOMBR and Seth Rogen.
Her outfit caused controversy, and she was also accused of lip-syncing. One fan commented: "Madonna completely missed her cue, that she forgot she was supposed to be lip-syncing." Another wrote: "This is incredible, spectacular and everything I asked for but I would just like to mention how messy it is from Madonna getting caught lipsyncing and Charli sounding a mess."
Thrown on stage
Fans were concerned when Madonna appeared to struggle on stage. At one point, she was dragged by masked backing dancers holding cameras before being dropped on stage.
One fan questioned: "They all just throwing her around like a ragdoll." Another wrote: "Why was Madonna struggling so much right here." Yet others believed it was part of the act, with one writing: "She was acting. Leave that lady alone."
Eyebrows were also raised at the brace on Madonna's knee as she accepted her Best Dance album award.
Sabrina Carpenter dig
In an awkward moment that left Sabrina Carpenter trying not to wince, Madonna claimed it took Sabrina's team five days to respond to a collaboration request.
"When five days passed and I still didn't get connected with Sabrina and I didn't hear back from her about whether she wanted to do a song with me," she told the audience. "Five days, I DM'ed her. Yep, 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." Sabrina then leaned into the mic and added: "My team replies, just so everybody knows. They do respond to people, but I respond faster. So direct line to me is always the best way to get in contact."
Reunion with famous ex
Madonna's ex-boyfriend Tony Ward made a surprise appearance during her show-opener. Fans recognised him as he popped up in a bathroom sequence, 36 years after he appeared in a music video considered too sexually explicit by MTV, which refused to air it.
The pair dated between 1990 and 1991, with their relationship sparking what many considered Madonna's most provocative music video, Justify My Love. Despite their split, Tony continued to work with Madonna and appeared in her 1992 photography book Sex.
