Celebrity3 min(s) read
Fans were left asking one worrying question after Madonna was violently thrown onto the platform at the Video Music Awards 2026.
The 68-year-old pop icon opened the award show with a vibrant and wild performance featuring Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX.
The trio performed joint collaborations from the 'Like a Prayer' songstress' new album, Confessions II, which was released this summer.
But viewers quickly shifted their attention to a scene in which Madonna appeared to be pulled onto the stage and then dropped onto the platform by dancers.
The incident prompted fans to wonder if the moment was part of the performance.
"Why was Madonna struggling so much right here?" one person wrote on X.
"They all just throwing her around like a ragdoll," another commented, while one more slammed: "You're already a legend why are you trying to ruin that legacy by becoming twitter next fave meme."
Others thought the sequence was just part of the performance.
"That’s called acting honey. That’s what a PERFORMER does?" one user hit back.
A second user echoed: "She was acting. Leave that lady alone."
"Gurl twas obviously part of the act. dystopian people with cameras holding her hostage, dragging her into a table. it was theatrical," a third added.
Questions about Madonna's condition arose later in the ceremony when fans noticed she appeared to be wearing a brace on her knee while accepting her Best Dance album award.
The 'Hung Up' singer appeared determined to keep the focus on her trademark provocative humor.
"First of all, I just want to get this thing out of my a**," she said, pulling out a laser. "It’s been in here all night. Now I can party in a park."
The comment was a reference to her movie for Confessions II, where the dancers seemingly shot out lasers from their butts.
Madonna led this year's VMAs nominations with 13 nods. She ended up winning seven, including three during the telecast: Best Collaboration (for 'Bring Your Love' with Sabrina Carpenter), Best Dance, and Artist of the Year.
The pop star has long been closely linked to the awards show throughout her career, having delivered one of the show's most famous performances when she sang 'Like a Virgin' in a wedding dress at the inaugural event in 1984.
"Most of you were probably not born when I performed at the very first VMAs 43 years ago," the 68-year-old said while accepting the award for artist of the year, which she won over Swift, Carpenter, Bruno Mars, Morgan Wallen, and Ariana Grande.
"I spent the last year and a half finding myself, believing in myself and really making the music that I wanted to make," she said. "My hope for all of you here tonight is that you … do the same. Find yourself and believe in yourself."
