Taylor Swift and Madonna were the big winners at MTV’s Video Music Awards, but it was an emotional tribute to country star Dolly Parton that created one of the event’s most moving moments.
Fellow country singer Kacey Musgraves – dressed in a glittering full-length fuchsia gown – sang a heartfelt cover of Parton’s 1974 hit I Will Always Love You in a pre-taped performance which began with old footage of Dolly introducing the classic song.
As Parton, who died in August, began singing the chorus in the throwback video, Musgrave started singing with her and then took over the song, accompanied only by a pianist.
Sharing the clip on social media, MTV reported there was “not a dry eye in the house” during the performance, which was presented as part of a glitzy, star-studded ceremony hosted by rapper Snoop Dogg at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Taylor Swift won the most coveted VMAs honour – video of the year – for her showgirl-inspired The Fate of Ophelia, which she dedicated to Parton.
Ophelia was the first single off Swift’s 2025 The Life of a Showgirl album. As she accepted the VMA honour, she praised Parton as “the ultimate showgirl”.
“I think that we were all very lucky to share this planet with Dolly Parton for a time,” Swift said.
The pop powerhouse also received the inaugural Artist Director Honors, becoming the most-awarded artist in VMA history. Previously, she was tied with Beyoncé for the title, with 30 VMAs each.
In what was hailed as a major comeback, Queen of Pop Madonna opened the event with her first live VMAs performance in 23 years. She joined with Sabrina Carpenter to perform their song Bring Your Love, from Madonna’s 2026 album Confessions II.
The duo was best collaboration, while Madonna was also named artist of the year.
“I spent the last year and a half finding myself, believing in myself, and making the music I want to make,” Madonna said.
“That is the definition of being an artist.”
Lisa, a member of the group Blackpink, won the VMA for best pop video for her solo effort Dream, while Nirvana took home the coveted Video Vanguard Award.
“They were completely original and always fearless at a time when the status quo kind of got to the point of being formulaic,” Public Enemy rapper Chuck D said of the grunge greats.
“Today, their influence could be heard in virtually every generation of artists who followed.”
Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain died in 1994, with the award presented to surviving members Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl and Pat Smear.
“Kurt was one of one,” Novoselic said in their acceptance speech, adding that the band never imagined its sound and aesthetic would resonate with so many people.
He said the music continues to endure because people are still hungry for “something real, something uncompromising” and a message that “it’s just okay to come as you are”.
–with Reuters / AP
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