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Madonna packed her long-awaited return to the MTV Video Music Awards stage with a long list of surprise celebrity guests!

The 68-year-old superstar opened the 2026 MTV VMAs on Sunday night (September 27) in Los Angeles, marking her first live performance at the awards show in 23 years.

Her elaborate opening featured appearances from Sabrina Carpenter, Charli xcx, Julia Garner, Seth Rogen, Debi Mazar, Andrew Watt and Sombr.

Sabrina Carpenter & Charli xcx Perform With Madonna

Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx had the biggest roles in the performance, joining Madonna for live portions of the opener.

Sabrina joined Madonna for “Bring Your Love,” their collaboration from Madonna’s Confessions II album. The song was also nominated for Best Collaboration at this year’s VMAs.

Charli xcx also joined Madonna to perform “Danceteria Afterhours.”

Julia Garner, Seth Rogen, Debi Mazar & More Make Cameos

The opener also featured a string of familiar faces appearing throughout the performance.

Julia Garner, who has long been attached to play Madonna in the superstar’s planned biopic, made an appearance during the sequence.

Actor Seth Rogen also popped up. He previously worked with Madonna on the upcoming second season of The Studio. Producer and musician Andrew Watt and singer SOMBR also appeared.

Madonna’s longtime friend Debi Mazar was another recognizable face during the opening. Debi is even name-checked in Madonna’s song “Danceteria.”

Debi has a particularly fitting connection to the Confessions II era. She previously appeared in Madonna’s Confessions II – The Film, including in the “Danceteria” sequence.

Every Celebrity We Spotted in Madonna’s 2026 VMAs Opening

The celebrity guests included:

Sabrina Carpenter
Charli xcx
Julia Garner
Seth Rogen
Debi Mazar
Andrew Watt
Sombr

The star-packed opener had been teased ahead of the show, as MTV previously announced that Madonna would open the ceremony with “special guests.”

The performance marked Madonna’s first time taking the VMAs stage since 2003.

The post Every Celebrity Who Appeared in Madonna’s 2026 VMAs Opening: Sabrina Carpenter, Charli xcx, Seth Rogen & More appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News, Entertainment News & Photos.