Sadly, it seems Madonna decided to skip the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.
Many thought the Queen of Pop would make a surprise appearance at the ceremony tonight, given that was the 40th anniversary of the VMAs, and Madonna has been producing career-defining moments at the show since its inception.
In fact, it was at the first VMAs in 1984 that she put on an iconic performance of “Like a Virgin,” in which she wore a wedding gown and rolled around on the ground suggestively, kicking off what would become a string of controversial—and fabulous—visits to the VMAs stage.
This number and her 2003 performance alongside Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Missy Elliott (in which Madonna ended up sharing a kiss with the first two) were both nominated in the VMAs’ newly introduced Most Iconic Performance category.
So, due to these noms and the anniversary of the show, some fans felt sure Madonna would make her grand return to the VMAs this year. And the chances seemed even better last night, when the music legend was spotted front row at the Luar show for New York Fashion Week, indicating that she was in the Big Apple and clearly hitting high-profile events.
However, the Material Girl did not end up showing, and it’s not entirely clear why. Although it has been a year, the singer was experiencing health issues in 2023 following a bacterial infection, so she could still be facing complications in the wake of that. Or perhaps she had too much fun at the Luar after-party.
Nonetheless, her presence was felt in looks from the motley of rising starlets who were there, like Sabrina Carpenter and Addison Rae, who both said they were inspired by Madonna when crafting their outfits. So the “Like a Prayer” icon may not have been in attendance, but her influence is always there.
Joel is the editorial and social media assistant for HarpersBAZAAR.com, where he covers all things celebrity news. When he steps away from the keyboard, you can likely find him singing off-key at concerts, scavenging thrift stores for loud wardrobe staples, or perusing bookstores for the next great gay romance novel.
