Billboard lists nine potential candidates for the Video Vanguard Award at the 2026 VMAs on September 27th.

#9 - Taylor Swift

#8 - Olivia Rodrigo

#7 - Bruno Mars

#6 - Ed Sheeran

#5 - Charli xcx

#4 - Madonna

#3 - Cardi B

#2 - BTS

#1 - Miley Cyrus

Which of these artists deserve it the most, if any? The announcement is expected to be made next week, possibly next Tuesday according to Billboard

might as well put Mother McRae at #10

Where's LADY GAGA

And why is Madonna here when she already has it

Edited September 4Sep 4 by MALAMENTE

Madonna? She already got the award.

Miley is the most likely here, it would align almost perfectly with Bass Persuades promo

Taylor seems like the only other true possibility if she actually decides to attend, unless they decide to do their big one and give Madonna a second Vanguard

Way too soon for Olivia And Charli doesnt make sense either. Cardi... nah

Seems like Gaga should, but maybe they'll wait for a new era

2 minutes ago, MALAMENTE said:

Where's LADY GAGA

And why is Madonna here when she already has it

She's unlikely to get it anytime soon given that she already got the Tricon, but I still have hope they'll come around and give it to her anyways in a few eras

Just now, D.M.F said:

Madonna? She already got the award.

2 minutes ago, MALAMENTE said:

And why is Madonna here when she already has it

The article says that Confessions II was such a monumental return to form, it would only be worth honoring her AGAIN!

And she got the award 40 years ago. So perhaps it's nice to see her get some recognition again. 1983-1986 is only the tip of the Iceberg when it comes to Madonna. Not officially honoring the career she's had post 1986 feels wrong.

Madonna won hers in 1986, the first female and before MJ, which made him so angry he demanded to have it renamed the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

They should award it to her in 2026, 40 years later, and rename it the Madonna Video Vanguard Award to make it right

Christina not even in the conversation.

Oh Dirrty girl, why are you such a flop?

1 minute ago, narid said:

They should award it to her in 2026, 40 years later, and rename it the Madonna Video Vanguard Award to make it right

This would be great idea actually

Ed Sheeran?

Why are Ed Sheeran, BTS and Cardi being first options than Eminem and Xtina?

Katy Perry again

We need another 15 minutes medley

Just now, znake said:

Katy Perry again

We need another 15 minutes medley

They are wrong for not nominating Watch It Burn so no!

they honestly should award madonna again because a lot of her most iconic music videos have come since she was awarded it. if not her, maybe miley, ciara or xtina. I really feel like before we start awarding contemporary (post music videos on mtv) artists a person who gets this award should be somebody who was a significant figure on MTV/TRL in the heyday (not even sure if those divas were, because I was too young to watch TRL, but i digress)

Edited September 4Sep 4 by Deactivatedos

It should be Lady Gaga. Don't care if she doesn't have an era to promote, give it to her and get her up on that stage where she does a medley. She can have a 4 part one like Rih did. Anyone else before her wouldn't make sense.

Avril Lavigne

But Xtina stans made a thread about Xtina being almost confirmed for this year! What's the truth ?!? She's not even part of the top 10 ?

Edited September 4Sep 4 by Erreur2 La Nature

Miley's sort of the only one that makes sense with the current narrative and new album.

Nelly Furtado would make a great choice as well

Is this award even relevant anymore?

Gaga already won the Tricon award which is pretty much the Vanguard but under a different name, exclusively for her. Miley would make the most sense now

BTS, Cardi, Ed Sheeran? Pls...

1 hour ago, KatyPrismSpirit said:

#4 - Madonna

How isn't she awarded. Since she was the most nominated artist this year, it must be her.