{"id":265580,"date":"2026-09-28T09:10:20","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T09:10:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/28\/which-stars-skipped-the-2026-mtv-vmas-and-why-travis-kelce-ariana-grande-katseye-and-more\/"},"modified":"2026-09-28T09:10:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T09:10:20","slug":"which-stars-skipped-the-2026-mtv-vmas-and-why-travis-kelce-ariana-grande-katseye-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/28\/which-stars-skipped-the-2026-mtv-vmas-and-why-travis-kelce-ariana-grande-katseye-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Which Stars Skipped the 2026 MTV VMAs and Why? Travis Kelce, Ariana Grande, Katseye and More"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Taylor Swift<\/strong><\/a>, Madonna<\/strong><\/a> and Sabrina Carpenter<\/strong><\/a> were among the big stars who attended the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards<\/a>, but there were some notable names absent from the event.<\/p>\n

The annual VMAs took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 27, with Swift, 36, receiving the first Artist Director Honors award<\/a>, as well as Video of the Year for \u201cThe Fate of Ophelia.\u201d Madonna, 68, meanwhile, was named Artist of the Year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve gotten to be a part of making 60 music videos, roughly \u2026 18 of those I wrote and directed, and I really love writing and directing music,\u201d Swift said while accepting her special award. \u201cI got to tell you, though, the main reason why I love writing and directing music videos so much is because you, the fans, make it so much fun. You make it so rewarding because you actually care about what we\u2019re making. So, you know, I want to say thank you to everyone who ever worked on a music video that I got to be a part of. I learned something from every single person that ever worked alongside me on these projects. Mainly, I want to say thank you to the fans.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Swift was on hand Sunday night, she did not have husband Travis Kelce<\/strong> on her arm.<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Taylor Swift Glitters on the MTV VMAs 2026 Red Carpet Solo<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tThe showgirl herself \u2014 a.k.a. Taylor Swift \u2014 has made her grand return to the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. Swift, 36, strutted down the Saturday, September 27, red carpet at Los Angeles\u2019 Peacock Theater dressed in a Tamara Ralph halter gown featuring a black corset and silver skirt. She completed her ensemble with diamond [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Keep scrolling to see which stars missed Sunday\u2019s VMAs \u2014 and why:<\/p>\n

Travis Kelce<\/h2>\n

Kelce, 36, was notably absent for his wife\u2019s big moment on Sunday, but he had a good excuse. The football player and his Kansas City Chiefs teammates faced the Miami Dolphins<\/a> in Week 3 of the current NFL season.<\/p>\n

The Chiefs won 24 to 10 against the Dolphins at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.<\/p>\n

Ariana Grande<\/h2>\n

Grande\u2019s \u201cHate That I Made You Love Me\u201d won Song of the Summer at the 2026 MTV VMAs, but the singer and actress was not on hand to receive the award after announcing a break from the spotlight<\/a> in August.<\/p>\n

Grande\u2019s representative confirmed last month that she would \u201cstep back\u201d from the public eye after her Eternal Sunshine Tour<\/em>, which wrapped on September 1 in London.<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Best and Worst Moments of the 2026 MTV VMAs: Madonna Performs, More<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tThe 2026 MTV Video Music Awards certainly gave Us something to sing about. The music scene\u2019s best and brightest \u2014 from Madonna and Taylor Swift to host Snoop Dogg and more \u2014 came together for the Sunday, September 27, awards ceremony held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. From Madonna\u2019s opening number to Swift [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cShe looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny,\u201d her spokesperson said.<\/p>\n

Zara Larsson<\/h2>\n

Larsson was nominated for five awards alongside PinkPantheress<\/strong> for their hit song \u201cStateside,\u201d winning Best Art Direction. While PinkPantheress accepted the award, Larsson was onstage performing at the Portola Music Festival in San Francisco.<\/p>\n

Shakira<\/h2>\n

The Colombian singer is currently performing a 12-night residency in Madrid, Spain, as part of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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