2026 MTV VMAs red carpet: The best, boldest and most ‘wait, what?!’ outfits, from Belmont Cameli’s Canadian tuxedo to Sombr’s sexy skunk

The MTV Video Music Awards red carpet has always been more daring than demure. It’s given us Lady Gaga’s meat dress, Britney Spears’s biker chic, Lil’ Kim’s purple pastie, Pamela Anderson’s pink feathery take on the Mad Hatter, Miley’s metallic suspenders (and pretty much nothing else) and the first of many, many (seriously, so many) Madonna iterations:  the “boy toy” bride. This isn’t the place for classic tuxes or basic black dresses — give us your ripped-up, your rocker, your revealing.

While MTV itself has radically transformed over the years, the VMAs’ dress code hasn’t. This year’s attendees — including the ever-evolving Madonna — kept up the tradition, delivering plenty of leather, lace, exposed skin and looks that required a second glance. Not every outfit was a hit, but in this crowd, boldness will always get rewarded. A few standouts …

Most fashionably late: Taylor Swift

Leave it to Taylor Swift to turn the last few minutes of the red carpet into the main event. As the final star to walk the carpet, Swift — or “Mrs. Kelce,” as many photographers addressed the newylwed — made the wait worthwhile in a black-and-silver look featuring a fitted halter bodice and a shimmering draped skirt. Her glam was killer — featuring sharp black eyeliner and a blunt shoulder-skimming haircut — and fit for someone making VMAs history with the inaugural Artist Director Honors award. Sounds like Swift earned the right to take her time.

Best Western (tie): Olandria and Ciara Miller

And we’re not talking about the hotel. The VMAs headed West this year (literally) and saw enough leather, lacing and rodeo-ready looks to make this one of the night’s most competitive categories. Madisin Rian made a strong case for the title, but we’re calling it a tie between Love Island alum Olandria and Ciara Miller of Summer House and Dancing With the Stars fame. Miller leaned into cowgirl territory with a tiny leather top, lace-up pants and a low-slung belt — particularly fitting after starring in Shaboozey’s “Cowgirl” music video — while Olandria took the leather-and-laces combination in a decidedly more glamorous direction with her intricately constructed floor-length gown. Consider it two very different ways to yeehaw.

Most Morticia: Charli xcx

Morticia Addams, but make her a pop star with really good abs. That’s what Charli xcx was channeling with her gothic glamour look. She wore head-to-toe black, pairing a cropped velvet top (clock those dramatic sleeves and that peekaboo bodice!) with a floor-skimming skirt and sleek hair. There was plenty of fabric involved, but somehow her midriff still managed to be the star of the ‘fit.

Sexiest skunk: Sombr

Sombr hit the carpet in an oversize black-and-white striped fur coat with nothing underneath but layers of necklaces and a rhinestone belt buckle that said “SEX” — a nod to Madonna, perhaps? Paired with leather pants, heeled boots and his signature smudgy black eyeliner, the whole thing landed somewhere between Pepe Le Pew and rock star.

Most matchy-matchy: Paris and Nicky Hilton

Sister, sister — and apparently sparkle, sparkle. Paris and Nicky Hilton coordinated in head-to-toe shine, with Paris going full futuristic showgirl in a draped mini and seriously strappy thigh-high boots. Nicky, meanwhile, opted for a slinky, floor-length gown. Different silhouettes, same assignment: There’s no such thing as too much sparkle when you’re an heiress.

Biggest red flag: Lisa

Red flags are usually something to avoid. Lisa’s was impossible to look away from.

The singer went monochromatic in a sheer, corseted red gown topped with a massive fur-like wrap that extended into an even more massive train. With four nominations and a performance lined up, Lisa clearly wasn’t interested in making a quiet entrance.

Best period piece: Stella Lefty

The breakout “Boston” star went full period drama in an ivory lace gown dripping with delicate beading, looking more suited for an Edith Wharton adaptation than the VMAs. The old-world romance was an unexpected choice for one of the year’s most talked about newcomers, whose rapid rise, billionaire father and songs’ similarities to existing hits have already made her a magnet for internet discourse.

Most platonic pairing: Ella Bright and Belmont Cameli

Nothing to see here, Off Campus fans. Ella Bright (in a slinky black gown) and Belmont Cameli (in an all-denim Canadian tuxedo) walked the VMAs carpet together after weeks of online speculation about everything from whether the onscreen love interests were secretly dating to whether they were feuding. Bright has previously called Cameli “literally my brother,” and the pair looked plenty united — even coordinating their sunglasses for the occasion. Just two totally platonic costars looking fly — and putting the rumors to rest.

Best distressed: Slayyyter

Slayyyter’s dress looked like it had been through it — in the best way. The singer took the naked dress trend in a slightly more undone direction with a nude, body-skimming gown covered in intentionally frayed layers, delicate embroidery and strategically sheer panels. A long swatch of fabric draped from one arm added some red carpet drama. Turns out, frayed edges can clean up nicely.

Most sculptural: Normani

Normani turned herself into a work of art. Her metallic, second-skin bodice extended all the way to her fingertips, while a dramatic burst of feather-like pieces at one shoulder gave the look an almost three-dimensional quality. Then, below the knees, the silhouette transformed again into a sweeping black pleated skirt. Every angle offered something new to look at.

Going for the Gaga: Adam Lambert

Adam Lambert has never been one for subtlety, and why start at the VMAs? The singer swept onto the carpet in a voluminous black satin robe inspired by André Leon Talley, but the real conversation starter was above the neck: an Isabella Blow-esque headpiece that spelled out “ADAM,” also the name of his upcoming album. Between the architectural topper, sweeping silhouette and full-glam makeup, the look had shades of Lady Gaga at her most fabulously avant-garde. Mother Monster would approve.

Best accessory: Sienna Spiro

Trust us, that’s Sienna Spiro under there. The Best New Artist winner briefly traded red carpet posing for paparazzi duty, pulling out a Kodak disposable camera to capture the VMAs from the other side of the lens. Her sparkling nude gown was plenty photogenic on its own. But pics or it didn’t happen, right?

Best group project: JYT

No one in JYT showed up to the group project unprepared. The five members — who just inked a fashion deal with Gap — coordinated without going full matchy-matchy, sticking to a black, gray and white palette while mixing oversize tailoring, textured knits, cropped jackets and plenty of wide-leg pants. Boy-band matching has officially grown up.

Best reason to shout ‘You’re my boy, Blue!’: Magnus Ferrell

Forgive the Old School reference, but Magnus Ferrell (son of actor Will Ferrell) gave us no choice.

The Best New Artist nominee went monochromatic in powder blue, pairing wide-leg trousers with a silky embroidered shirt and matching tie. Black loafers broke up the color story — but otherwise, you’re our boy, Blue.

Gothiest glam (tie): Teyana Taylor and Bebe Rexha

The goths came out to play at the VMAs — and this one was too close to call. Teyana Taylor went full dark romance in a sheer, beaded black gown trimmed with dramatic flowers. Bebe Rexha took the boudoir route, pairing a black lace corset and high-low skirt with thigh-high lace-up boots and enough crosses to ward off any unwanted spirits.