Must-See Looks at the 2026 MTV VMAs: Taylor Swift, Lisa Rinna, Sabrina Carpenter, and More — Photos

One celebrity looked strikingly different as she stepped out with short platinum-blonde hair and a dramatic new look at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.

The transformation was among the must-see moments at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, on September 27. It quickly sparked divided reactions online, with viewers debating the star's appearance and drawing comparisons to other famous faces.

But the night offered much more to talk about. From dramatic red-carpet looks and bold style choices to major awards and memorable onstage moments, the awards show kept the spotlight moving from the carpet to the stage.

Teyana Taylor

Teyana Taylor brought texture to the carpet in a floor-length black lace gown covered with feathers.

Sheer lace formed the fitted silhouette, with a plunging neckline and a wide velvet waistband adding structure. Black feathers burst from the sleeves, gathered at one hip, and framed the hem, creating movement against the delicate fabric.

Taylor wore her hair in a sculptural updo that kept the neckline and oversized sleeves in full view. With few distractions elsewhere, the intricate lace and featherwork remained the focus.

Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter changed the mood onstage with a playful black-and-white performance look.

She paired a crisp white button-down with black suspenders and high-waisted sequined shorts. Rolled sleeves and an open neckline relaxed the tailoring, while the sequins caught the stage lights as she performed.

Sheer black tights, black heels, and a beret completed the retro-inspired styling. Carpenter wore her blonde hair in soft curls beneath the hat, giving the outfit a cabaret feel without overwhelming its simple palette.

Unlike Taylor's sweeping gown, Carpenter's abbreviated silhouette was made for movement. It offered a lighter, more playful take on VMAs theatrics.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift went sleek on top and high-shine below, pairing a fitted black halter bodice with a floor-length silver skirt.

Up close, the simplicity of the black top put more attention on Swift's face and styling. Her straight hair fell just past her shoulders, with blunt bangs framing her eyes, while long drop earrings brought a flash of sparkle beside the otherwise clean neckline.

The full-length view revealed where the look changed gears. The densely embellished silver skirt gathered into dramatic folds at the waist, then opened into a high slit that exposed her silver heels. Against the matte black bodice, the metallic fabric became the immediate focal point.

From behind, the contrast was even sharper. The halter design left much of Swift's back bare, while the silver fabric wrapped and draped around her hips before falling toward the floor.

The result was a look built around contrast rather than excess: matte against shimmer, fitted against draped, and a minimal black top against a skirt designed to catch the light.

Reactions on Reddit quickly moved beyond the outfit, with some users speculating about Swift's appearance. One commenter asked, "Serious question is she wearing hip pads?? She suddenly looks way more curvy than usual."

Another user focused on the outfit itself, writing, "The dress looks like a swimsuit and swimsuit coverup."

Several commenters made unsupported claims about cosmetic procedures. One asked, "She has had another surgery?" while another wrote, "It hurts her to smile, she really has a new face, she had a facelift." Nothing in the photos alone establishes that Swift underwent such a procedure.

Another person reacted with similar surprise, writing, "Oh my god is this actually her???? This truly is a whole new face 😳" The comment reflected the user's perception of Swift's appearance rather than a verified physical change.

Other Reddit users interpreted her expression emotionally. One wrote, "I think, physically, she looks good but she also has a sadness about her... I wonder if it's just because of The Encore reception or something more."

Another remarked, "She looked really sad on that red carpet." Those comments reflected viewers' impressions from the images and did not establish how Swift was actually feeling.

On Instagram, the responses included praise as well as criticism of the outfit. One user wrote, "Legendary Goddess 🙌🏻❤️‍🔥"

Another commenter said, "Stunning in a Tamara Ralph Couture gown 🔥😍" The comment attributed the look to Tamara Ralph Couture, though that designer identification comes from the user's comment and is not independently established by the photos provided.

Others focused on the silhouette. One person wrote, "A bathing suit it [sic] with a sarong." Another commenter singled out the silver portion of the look for praise, writing, "I love the skirt !"

Swift's night extended beyond the red carpet. While accepting the Artist Director Honor, she thanked MTV for supporting music videos and reflected on roughly 20 years of making them. Swift said she had been involved in about 60 music videos and had written and directed 18, crediting her fans and collaborators with making that work rewarding.

Rather than prolonging her speech, Swift used the moment to introduce the world premiere of her "Patient Zero" music video, which she said starred Dakota Johnson and Colin Frell.

Swift also won Video of the Year for "The Fate of Ophelia," from "The Life of a Showgirl," according to the Associated Press. She dedicated the award to the late Dolly Parton, calling her the "ultimate showgirl" and saying, "I think we were all very lucky to share this planet with Dolly Parton for a time."

Madonna

Madonna continued the night's darker fashion thread with an all-black look that mixed lingerie-inspired details with leather.

She wore a structured black corset-style bodysuit with lace-up detailing through the front, pairing it with fishnet tights and black heels. A black leather jacket rested off her shoulders, adding another texture to the fitted ensemble.

Her long blonde hair fell in loose waves around her face, while a sparkling necklace brought a polished contrast to the leather, lace, and fishnet elements.

Madonna was also photographed with Taylor Swift during the ceremony, with the two posing closely together in the audience. The candid moment offered a closer look at Madonna's styling away from the stage.

Later, Madonna joined Sabrina Carpenter onstage. In the image shared on Instagram, Carpenter held a Moon Person trophy as the two stood together at the microphone. The accompanying post stated that Madonna and Carpenter won Best Collaboration for "Bring Your Love" at the 2026 VMAs.

Lisa Rinna

Lisa Rinna broke from the darker palette in a sculptural white gown, while a short platinum-blonde hairstyle made her transformation even more noticeable.

The off-the-shoulder gown wrapped around her upper body and remained fitted before opening into a high slit. A long train spread behind her, bringing volume to the otherwise narrow silhouette.

Rinna paired the gown with choppy, spiky hair and heavily smoked black eyes. The dark makeup stood out against her platinum hair and white dress.

She also brought some humor to the formal look. After turning sideways to display the train, Rinna looked back over her shoulder and stuck out her tongue for another photograph.

Rinna also revealed how she approaches red-carpet dressing. Speaking with Fox News Digital about deciding what to wear to the VMAs, she said the final call is hers.

"I don't do that. I just decide, by the way. I don't let anybody put in any of their two cents. That's my secret, I think. I don't show anybody til I'm ready," Rinna said.

That combination gave viewers plenty to discuss online, and reactions ranged from criticism and celebrity comparisons to outright approval.

On Instagram, one netizen said, "Oh Lisa what have you done," expressing dismay over Rinna's appearance. Another user was much harsher, writing, "She is WAY TO [sic] OLD TO BE IN THAT DRESS!! Eww!"

A different comparison came from someone who wrote, "You mean Elsa? 😂" Another commenter simply wrote, "So natural." Someone else saw another famous face in the look, writing, "Elizabeth Taylor lookalike."

Rinna's lips also became part of the conversation. One user asked, "So much for no more lips?!" But the response was not uniformly negative. One commenter declared, "Love Lisa and this look!" Another user offered more measured approval, "I kind of love it."

On Facebook, the platinum hair and white gown continued to inspire comparisons. One user wrote, "She looks like an ice Princess 👸."

Another commenter responded with nostalgia rather than focusing on the outfit: "Oh my. I remember her from a long time ago and she was so beautiful back then."

Rinna also revealed how she approaches red-carpet dressing. Speaking with Fox News Digital about deciding what to wear to the VMAs, she said the final call is hers.

"I don't do that. I just decide, by the way. I don't let anybody put in any of their two cents. That's my secret, I think. I don't show anybody til I'm ready," Rinna said.

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton took silver from fingertip to toe, arriving in a crystal-covered mini dress with matching gloves and intricately detailed boots.

The dress featured a plunging draped neckline, a narrow cutout through the center, and openings at both hips. More silver fabric swept across the front in curved layers before ending in an asymmetrical hem.

Hilton did not let the sparkle stop there. Her opera-length gloves stretched well above her elbows, while pointed knee-high boots continued the shimmering pattern down her legs.

With her sleek blonde bob tucked away from the neckline, Hilton raised both arms above her head for the cameras, putting the full silver treatment on display.

Adam Lambert

Adam Lambert's black cape did more than reach the floor - it spread across the carpet on both sides of him.

The garment started at a high neckline before widening through the body and pooling into broad sections of fabric around his feet. Deep folds running down the front emphasized just how much material went into the silhouette.

Lambert matched that scale above the shoulders. His dark hair was arranged into long, pointed spikes that shot upward and outward, while heavy black eye makeup framed his eyes.

The proportions worked in opposite directions: the cape expanded across the floor as the hair stretched toward the ceiling. Against the bright blue VMAs backdrop, the uninterrupted black silhouette was hard to miss.

Troye Sivan

Troye Sivan began with a black suit, then interrupted the tailoring with an oversized white bow, draped fabric, and feathers.

The bow stretched across his shoulders above a fitted, buttoned jacket. Around his waist, layers of black fabric folded over themselves before falling across the upper portion of his trousers.

Then came the biggest departure from conventional suiting. Large white feathered sections projected from both thighs, creating soft volume against the loose black trousers underneath.

The outfit changed noticeably from top to bottom: sharp black tailoring gave way to draping and feathers, turning a familiar black-and-white combination into something far less conventional.

Charli XCX

Charli XCX used sheer fabric and exposed skin to break up an otherwise uninterrupted black silhouette.

Her long-sleeved cropped top featured a translucent panel across the chest and stopped well above a low-rise, floor-length skirt. Voluminous fabric gathered around her forearms, with long narrow strips hanging from either side.

The skirt stayed close to the body through the hips and legs before reaching the floor. With no contrasting color competing for attention, the exposed midriff became the visual divide between the cropped top and long skirt.

Charli kept the rest equally streamlined, wearing her long black hair straight and center-parted as she posed with her hands resting at her hips.

Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear

Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear arrived as a trio in black leather, dark tailoring, and boots, giving the carpet a distinctly rock-focused lineup.

Grohl wore a black leather jacket over a dark buttoned shirt, black trousers, and worn-in boots. His long hair and beard kept the look relaxed rather than sharply tailored.

At the center, Novoselic switched leather for a black suit. His open-collar white shirt created the strongest contrast in the group and immediately separated his outfit from those on either side.

Smear mirrored Grohl's leather with a black motorcycle-style jacket over a dark shirt and trousers. He finished the look with black boots and carried a small structured bag.

Standing together, the three created a simple visual pattern: leather jacket, black suit, leather jacket - a coordinated lineup without identical outfits.

From dramatic gowns to unexpected transformations, the 2026 VMAs delivered fashion moments that kept viewers talking. Rinna's striking change became one of the most debated, drawing reactions that ranged from criticism and comparisons to enthusiastic approval.