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George Clooney AI concerns took center stage at the 83rd Venice Film Festival on Wednesday as the actor and filmmaker warned that artificial intelligence and deepfake technology are making it harder to distinguish genuine information from fabricated content. He also questioned current AI safeguards and raised concerns about concentrated media ownership.

Key Takeaways

• Clooney warned that AI-generated content is making truth harder to distinguish from fiction.
• He said deepfakes could lead people to dismiss genuine evidence as fake.
• Clooney said he was unconvinced that current AI safeguards can keep pace with technological advances.
• He linked concerns about AI with concerns over concentrated media ownership and journalism.
• Clooney questioned the financial logic of Paramount’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros.

George Clooney Raises AI Concerns at Venice Film Festival

Speaking to reporters at the Venice Film Festival, Clooney said advances in artificial intelligence were creating difficulties for journalists, governments and the public because fabricated material can become harder to distinguish from authentic information.

The actor said AI-generated content and deepfakes were undermining trust in information. He warned that the problem extends beyond identifying false material because widespread uncertainty can also affect the way people respond to genuine evidence.

Clooney said people could increasingly question whether information is real or fabricated. He described the resulting problem as one in which authentic material could be dismissed simply because audiences have become accustomed to the possibility that digital content has been generated or altered.

The actor connected the issue directly to journalism, saying the ability to establish whether information is genuine is essential to the public’s understanding of events.

Clooney was speaking in Venice while receiving the festival’s Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. The award recognizes his career as an actor and filmmaker, while his comments focused on the challenges artificial intelligence presents to film and journalism.

The discussion comes alongside entertainment coverage of AI-generated celebrity likenesses, including concerns about consent and the use of digitally recreated performers.

Deepfakes Raise Concerns About Trust in Information

Clooney said deepfake technology presents a particular problem because fabricated material can affect perceptions of genuine evidence.

He warned that once people become accustomed to questioning digital material, the same doubt can be applied to authentic photographs, videos or other evidence. The concern is not limited to false content being accepted as real; genuine information can also be rejected as fabricated.

Clooney described this effect as a form of damage to trust in information. If audiences cannot confidently distinguish between authentic and manipulated material, establishing the truth becomes more difficult.

His comments placed deepfakes within a wider concern about AI-generated content and the reliability of information reaching the public. Journalists, governments and members of the public all face the challenge of assessing whether material presented as evidence is genuine.

Clooney also expressed concern about the use of his own likeness after his death. He joked about the possibility of appearing in a commercial long after he was gone, using the example of a tampon advertisement to illustrate his concern about how AI could potentially reproduce a person’s likeness.

The comment also reflected his concern that existing protections may not fully address the ways AI technology could be used to reproduce or manipulate a person’s identity.

Clooney Questions Current AI Safeguards

Clooney said current safeguards had not made what he regarded as sufficient progress despite efforts by developers to address the risks associated with artificial intelligence.

He said AI developers were working rapidly on the technology but that he had not seen major progress in the effectiveness of safeguards. His concern centered on the ability of protections to keep pace with technological improvements.

The actor’s comments addressed both the creation of AI-generated material and the consequences of increasingly convincing fabricated content. His concern was that technological advances could outpace measures intended to help people identify manipulated material.

For the film industry, the issue also involves the use of a person’s likeness. Clooney’s remarks about his own image illustrated a concern about how artificial intelligence could potentially allow a recognizable person to appear in material without the circumstances that originally created the image.

His comments did not focus solely on film production. He also connected AI technology to the reliability of information used by journalists and consumed by the public.

The connection between the two areas was central to his warning: technology capable of creating convincing artificial material can affect both entertainment and the ability to establish whether information presented to the public is genuine.

Journalism Faces Concerns Over Concentrated Media Ownership

Clooney also raised concerns about the ownership of major news and information platforms, saying media ownership had become concentrated among a small number of wealthy individuals.

He referred to Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk while discussing ownership of major sources of information. Bezos owns the Washington Post, while Musk owns Twitter, which Clooney cited when discussing the concentration of media ownership.

The actor said the concentration of ownership was a concern for journalism. He described the state of journalism as continually facing challenges but said he believed information would ultimately find a way to reach the public.

His comments linked the issue of media ownership with his concerns about artificial intelligence. Both subjects, in his remarks, involved the public’s ability to determine which information can be trusted.

Clooney has also received recognition for campaigns promoting justice, and his comments in Venice included both media and political concerns alongside his discussion of AI.

The journalism discussion added another issue to his remarks about artificial intelligence. Rather than treating AI as a standalone technology issue, Clooney discussed it in relation to the institutions and platforms through which people receive information.

Clooney Voices Skepticism Over Paramount-Warner Deal

Clooney also expressed skepticism about Paramount’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros., saying he did not see how the transaction would make financial sense.

He said media consolidation often led to job losses and could be difficult to complete. His comments added concerns about ownership and consolidation to his broader discussion of journalism.

His comments on the proposed deal also relate to consolidation in entertainment, including previous mergers and acquisitions involving major media companies.

The proposed Paramount-Warner deal was separate from Clooney’s remarks about artificial intelligence, but he discussed both subjects while addressing the state of the media industry in Venice.

Clooney said he was uncertain about the financial outcome of the proposed acquisition and indicated that its completion would have to be seen.

The actor was in Venice to receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement after nearly three decades of appearances at the festival. His connection with the event dates to 1998, when Out of Sight premiered there.

At 65, Clooney also spoke about aging while discussing his career recognition. He joked that getting older brought a degree of melancholy, including the realization that his teeth had once looked better.

His comments on AI, journalism and media ownership came during a festival appearance that combined recognition of his film career with discussion of the challenges facing information and media.

The Venice lifetime achievement honor was announced ahead of the 2026 festival and recognizes Clooney’s work as an actor, director and producer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did George Clooney say about AI at the Venice Film Festival?

George Clooney said artificial intelligence was making it harder to distinguish truth from fiction. He also questioned whether current safeguards can keep pace with advances in AI technology.

What concerns did Clooney raise about deepfakes?

Clooney warned that deepfakes could undermine trust in genuine evidence. He said people may become more likely to dismiss authentic material as fake when fabricated content becomes harder to identify.

What did George Clooney say about AI safeguards?

Clooney said he had met leading AI developers but remained unconvinced that current safeguards were making enough progress. He said developers were working rapidly but that safeguards had not kept pace with technological improvements.

What did Clooney say about journalism and media ownership?

Clooney said media ownership had become concentrated among a small number of wealthy individuals. He cited Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk when discussing ownership of major sources of information and said the situation was a concern for journalism.

What did George Clooney say about the Paramount-Warner deal?

Clooney expressed skepticism about Paramount’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. He said he did not see how the transaction would make financial sense and noted that media consolidation can lead to job losses and be difficult to complete.

Cardi B’s AH HA music video places the rapper on the streets of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, for a summer-focused visual released Aug. 28. Directed by Arrad and featuring Kash Doll, the video uses neighborhood blocks, motorcycles, a hair salon and a spraying fire hydrant to frame Cardi B’s latest solo single.

Key Takeaways

• Cardi B released the official “AH HA” music video on Aug. 28, nearly a month after the single arrived on July 31.
• The video was filmed in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, including an area of 48th Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues.
• Arrad directed the visual, while DJ SwanQo produced the track.
• Kash Doll makes a cameo after being referenced in the song.
• The video moves between Brooklyn street scenes, a hair salon, motorcycles, ATVs and a final dance sequence around a spraying fire hydrant.

Cardi B AH HA Music Video Centers Sunset Park

Cardi B returned to a New York street setting for “AH HA,” releasing a video that places much of its action outdoors in Brooklyn rather than inside a studio-built environment.

The official visual arrived Aug. 28, following the July 31 release of the DJ SwanQo-produced single. Arrad directed the video, and fellow rapper Kash Doll appears in a brief cameo. (BroadwayWorld)

The Sunset Park location had become public before the finished video was released. News 12 Brooklyn reported that Cardi B was filming in the neighborhood on Aug. 10, with cellphone footage showing production activity on 48th Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues. A crew temporarily shut down the street while filming took place. (News 12 – Default)

Those surroundings remain visible in the completed video. Cardi B performs on neighborhood streets and stoops, while motorcycles, ATVs, storefronts and groups of dancers repeatedly enter the frame. The video also shifts into a hair salon before returning outside for larger performance sequences.

The location gives “AH HA” a different visual structure from a production built around controlled sets. Rather than removing the surrounding neighborhood from the frame, the video uses Brooklyn architecture, sidewalks and street activity as recurring parts of its setting.

Cardi B had described that direction shortly before the premiere. During an X Spaces discussion, she said she wanted the project to have a “very street New York summer vibe,” according to Complex.

That description is reflected directly in the finished video. Instead of developing a complicated storyline, the production moves through a series of performances tied together by the Sunset Park location, Cardi B’s changing wardrobe and the repeated presence of bikes, dancers and neighborhood spaces.

New York is also receiving substantial attention elsewhere in live music this summer. Harry Styles began a 30-show Madison Square Garden residency on Aug. 26, two days before Cardi B released the Brooklyn-shot “AH HA” video.

Street Scenes and Kash Doll Drive the Visual

The video’s pace comes largely from its rapid movement between locations and performance setups. Cardi B appears in several hairstyles and outfits as scenes move from the sidewalk to the salon and back onto the street.

Motorcycles and ATVs form another recurring visual element. Cardi B appears around riders and customized bikes, while choreography fills sections of the street. The approach keeps the focus on movement rather than introducing a separate narrative unrelated to the song.

One of the video’s most prominent sequences comes near the end, when water from a fire hydrant sprays across the street during a group dance scene. People and Complex both highlighted the hydrant sequence in coverage of the Aug. 28 release.

Kash Doll’s appearance provides another direct connection between the song and its visual treatment. Cardi B mentions the Detroit rapper in “AH HA,” and Kash Doll appears as that portion of the track arrives.

The cameo had already prompted interest before the video premiered because the two artists were seen together during the Brooklyn production. Cardi B later discussed requests for a possible Kash Doll remix, but no such remix had been formally announced in the reporting surrounding the video’s release. The confirmed collaboration in the current release is Kash Doll’s appearance in the video.

Cardi B also addressed the broader target of the song in an Aug. 27 Vogue Arabia interview. Asked who “AH HA” was aimed at, she said, “This is for everyone who thinks I’m worried about them. I don’t care about you.”

The statement provides context for the confrontational tone without assigning the lyrics to a specific person who has not been publicly identified. The video follows a similar approach. Its focus remains on Cardi B’s performance rather than constructing a storyline around an individual target.

‘AH HA’ Extends Cardi B’s 2026 Music Run

“AH HA” is Cardi B’s first solo single following her second studio album, “Am I the Drama?,” released in 2025. The song arrived July 31, with the official music video following four weeks later.

Its release comes after Cardi B spent the first part of 2026 on the Little Miss Drama Tour. Pitchfork also noted that she performed “Bodega Baddie” and “ErrTime” on “Saturday Night Live” earlier in the year, keeping material from her second album in her live schedule before the arrival of “AH HA.”

The timing places Cardi B’s release within a busy stretch for major U.S. music acts. Ariana Grande, for example, recently reached another U.S. chart milestone with her Ariana Grande chart debut after “petal” entered the Billboard 200 at No. 1.

For Cardi B, however, the immediate focus of “AH HA” is not an announced album rollout. Public reporting around the Aug. 28 video centers on the single itself, its Brooklyn production, Arrad’s direction and Kash Doll’s appearance.

The finished video also makes its location difficult to separate from the release. Sunset Park is not identified only through production reports. Its streets remain part of the visual throughout, from the opening performance setups to the bike scenes and final choreography.

That structure keeps the Cardi B AH HA music video closely tied to the New York summer concept Cardi B described before its release. The result is a performance-focused Brooklyn visual built around real neighborhood locations, changing styling, street choreography and a cameo that connects directly to the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Cardi B AH HA music video released?

The Cardi B AH HA music video was released on Aug. 28, 2026. The song itself was released on July 31, roughly four weeks before the official visual.

Where was the “AH HA” video filmed?

The video was filmed in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Local reporting identified filming activity on 48th Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues during the Aug. 10 production.

Who directed Cardi B’s “AH HA” video?

Arrad directed the official “AH HA” music video. DJ SwanQo produced the song.

Is Kash Doll in the “AH HA” music video?

Yes. Kash Doll makes a cameo in the video and appears in connection with a portion of the song in which Cardi B references her.

Is “AH HA” connected to a new Cardi B album?

The supplied public reporting identifies “AH HA” as Cardi B’s first solo single following her 2025 album “Am I the Drama?” The reports cited here did not establish the video as part of a formally announced new album rollout.

Selena Gomez has announced the fourth annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit, scheduled for Oct. 14 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. The fundraiser will be emceed by actor and comedian Sean Hayes and will support the Rare Impact Fund’s efforts to expand access to youth mental health services and education.

Key Takeaways

• The fourth annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit is scheduled for Oct. 14 in Los Angeles.
• The Hollywood Palladium will host the fundraiser.
• Actor and comedian Sean Hayes will emcee the event.
• The Rare Impact Fund supports organizations working to expand youth mental health services and education.
• The fund has a goal of mobilizing $100 million for youth mental health initiatives worldwide.

Selena Gomez Announces the Fourth Rare Impact Fund Benefit

The fourth annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit will take place Oct. 14 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, with Selena Gomez leading the event and actor and comedian Sean Hayes serving as emcee. The fundraiser will support the Rare Impact Fund’s work to increase access to youth mental health services and education.

Gomez, 34, is the founder of Rare Beauty and the Rare Impact Fund. The annual benefit brings together supporters of the fund and organizations involved in youth mental health services.

The event’s announcement establishes the date and location for this year’s fundraiser while confirming Hayes as the night’s emcee. The Hollywood Palladium will provide the Los Angeles venue for the fourth annual benefit.

The Rare Impact Fund has set a goal of mobilizing $100 million for organizations that increase access to youth mental health services and education around the world. The fund’s stated mission places youth access and support at the center of the annual event.

Gomez said the Rare Impact Fund is personally meaningful to her and described the importance of having support available to young people, particularly during periods when they may feel alone.

She also thanked Hayes for participating in this year’s benefit. His role as emcee adds a recognizable entertainment figure to the October event.

Hollywood Palladium Set to Host the October Fundraiser

The Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles will host the fourth annual benefit on Oct. 14. The venue will be the setting for the fundraiser supporting organizations connected to youth mental health services and education.

The event brings Gomez’s entertainment and beauty businesses into the same public setting as her work with the Rare Impact Fund. Gomez founded Rare Beauty and the Rare Impact Fund, linking the benefit to two parts of her public career.

The fundraiser is also structured around the fund’s broader financial goal. The Rare Impact Fund has stated that it seeks to mobilize $100 million for organizations working to increase access to youth mental health resources worldwide.

The October date gives the fund a scheduled annual event through which supporters can participate in its work. The benefit will also provide a Los Angeles gathering point for advocates, partners and other supporters of the organization.

The fund’s announcement describes the evening as an opportunity for connection, storytelling and impact. The event will center on the organizations and people involved in expanding youth mental health support.

Sean Hayes Named Emcee for the Annual Benefit

Sean Hayes will emcee the fourth annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit. The actor and comedian is known for his entertainment career and will lead the evening’s activities at the Hollywood Palladium.

Gomez specifically thanked Hayes for joining the event in her statement about the fundraiser. His participation was confirmed as part of the announcement of the October benefit.

The emcee role places Hayes alongside Gomez for an event focused on youth mental health services and education. The fundraiser will bring together people connected to the Rare Impact Fund’s work rather than focusing solely on Gomez’s role as founder.

The event’s structure also gives the fund an opportunity to communicate its mission directly to supporters. Gomez said the benefit is intended to support organizations that provide young people with access to the help they need.

Her statement focused on the value of having someone available to support young people when they feel alone. She connected that message directly to the fund’s work and the organizations supported through its mission.

Gomez’s personal life has also remained a subject of entertainment coverage, including her relationship with Benny Blanco and their creative connection detailed in Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s album story.

Rare Impact Fund Continues Youth Mental Health Mission

The Rare Impact Fund’s stated objective is to mobilize $100 million for organizations that increase access to youth mental health services and education around the world. The October benefit will support that mission through its annual fundraising event.

Gomez said her work with the fund has shown her the importance of having support available to young people. She said the benefit is intended to help more young people receive that support and to recognize organizations that provide it.

The fund’s focus extends beyond a single event. Its mission includes increasing access to youth mental health services and education, with organizations working in those areas receiving support.

The annual benefit provides a public event around that mission. Gomez’s role as founder connects the fundraiser to her broader work with Rare Beauty and the Rare Impact Fund.

The fourth annual event will continue that work in Los Angeles. The October fundraiser is the next scheduled benefit following last year’s event.

Previous Benefit Raised More Than $2 Million

The 2025 Rare Impact Fund Benefit raised more than $2 million through contributions from more than 20 sponsors and one-of-a-kind auction items. The auction items included offerings connected to SmartLess, Paul Rudd and The Ranch Malibu.

The 2025 event also brought Gomez and her husband, Benny Blanco, together for a public appearance. The couple attended the benefit one month after their wedding and were photographed together during the evening.

Gomez wore a maroon minidress with a satin detail around the neck, matching pumps and sparkling drop earrings for the event. Blanco wore a black suit with satin lapels and a black button-down shirt.

The previous benefit also featured a red-carpet appearance by Gomez in a mauve silk twill wool minidress designed by Danielle Frankel. She paired the look with a silk twill shawl and hand-dyed satin Kennedy heels.

The 2025 fundraiser’s more than $2 million in proceeds provides the most recent reported fundraising figure connected to the annual event. The 2026 benefit will take place in October with Hayes serving as emcee and the Rare Impact Fund’s youth mental health mission remaining at its center.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Selena Gomez’s Rare Impact Fund Benefit?

The fourth annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit is scheduled for Oct. 14, 2026. It will take place at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.

Where will the Rare Impact Fund Benefit take place?

The fundraiser will be held at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.

Who will emcee Selena Gomez’s Rare Impact Fund Benefit?

Actor and comedian Sean Hayes will emcee the fourth annual benefit. Gomez thanked Hayes for joining the event in her statement announcing the fundraiser.

What does the Rare Impact Fund support?

The Rare Impact Fund supports efforts to increase access to youth mental health services and education. Its stated goal is to mobilize $100 million for organizations working in those areas around the world.

How much did the previous Rare Impact Fund Benefit raise?

The 2025 benefit raised more than $2 million. The funds came from more than 20 sponsors and one-of-a-kind auction items.

Estée Lauder billion-dollar brands now total six after Jo Malone London and TOM FORD joined the group in fiscal 2026. The milestone arrived as The Estée Lauder Companies returned to full-year sales growth, with fragrance posting the fastest reported growth among its major product categories. Here is what changed and what the latest numbers show.

Key Takeaways

• The Estée Lauder Companies said on August 19, 2026, that Jo Malone London and TOM FORD increased its number of billion-dollar brands from four to six.
• Fiscal 2026 net sales reached $15.05 billion, up 5% from fiscal 2025, while organic net sales rose 3%.
• Fragrance net sales reached $2.779 billion, up 12% on a reported basis and 10% organically.
• The company opened 33 net new freestanding fragrance stores globally during fiscal 2026, led by Le Labo and Jo Malone London.

The Estée Lauder Companies placed Jo Malone London and TOM FORD among its billion-dollar brands when it reported fiscal 2026 results for the year ended June 30. The two names joined Estée Lauder, Clinique, La Mer and M·A·C.

The company did not disclose separate fiscal 2026 net sales totals for Jo Malone London or TOM FORD in the earnings release. It identified both as additions to the billion-dollar category, making the classification a company-reported milestone rather than a newly published brand-by-brand revenue breakdown.

Net sales rose 5% to $15.049 billion from $14.326 billion a year earlier. Organic net sales increased 3%, while fourth-quarter reported sales rose 6%.

President and CEO Stéphane de La Faverie said, “We reignited growth with organic sales rising 3%, driven by the breadth of growth across brands.”

Estée Lauder Billion-Dollar Brands Expand to Six

The expansion of the Estée Lauder billion-dollar brands gives fragrance a larger presence among the company’s biggest names. Jo Malone London is centered on fragrance and related scent products, while TOM FORD contributes across fragrance and makeup.

The company reported that 23% of fiscal 2026 sales came from products it classified as innovation. It highlighted Jo Malone London campaigns including “Uniquely You” and “Two Sisters, One Perfect Pear,” along with TOM FORD Taormina Orange Eau de Parfum in the fourth quarter.

Distribution also widened. The company opened 33 net new freestanding fragrance stores globally, led by Le Labo and Jo Malone London. The development sits alongside other beauty industry expansion stories involving retail reach and brand management.

Fragrance Growth Puts TOM FORD in Focus

Fragrance was the fastest-growing major product category in Estée Lauder’s fiscal 2026 results. Reported fragrance net sales rose 12% to $2.779 billion from $2.491 billion. Organic fragrance net sales increased 10%.

The company said organic fragrance growth was led by its luxury brands, particularly Le Labo, TOM FORD and KILIAN PARIS. TOM FORD fragrance sales increased with support from Soleil Neige, Oud Voyager and Figue Érotique, according to the earnings release.

TOM FORD also contributed to makeup growth. Estée Lauder cited Eye Color Quad products, Architecture Soft Matte Blurring Foundation and Architecture Radiance Hydrating Foundation among the products supporting the brand’s makeup sales.

The fiscal 2026 figures show why scent is central to the brand’s current position. Fragrance grew faster than skin care, makeup and hair care on a reported basis. Consumer attention around scent also appears across fragrance brand campaigns in the wider beauty market, but Estée Lauder’s own results provide the clearest measure for TOM FORD.

Jo Malone London Adds Scale Through Fragrance

Photo Credit: Unsplash.com

Jo Malone London reached the same billion-dollar classification through a different brand profile. Founded in 1994 and acquired by The Estée Lauder Companies in 1999, the brand is built around cologne, home fragrance, bath and body products and scent layering.

During fiscal 2026, Jo Malone London was one of the brands leading Estée Lauder’s freestanding fragrance-store openings. The company also highlighted the brand during major shopping periods in mainland China and included its campaigns among its fiscal-year commercial activity.

The Fragrance Foundation named Jo Malone London Beach Blossom Cologne Fragrance of the Year in the Universal Prestige category in 2026. TOM FORD Oud Voyager Eau de Parfum received Fragrance of the Year in the Ultra Luxury category.

Those awards are separate from the sales classification. The company’s fiscal 2026 results are the source for the billion-dollar designation.

The broader numbers place both brands inside a fragrance category that generated $2.779 billion in fiscal 2026 net sales. With Jo Malone London and TOM FORD added, the Estée Lauder billion-dollar brands now total six, while the company has not published individual fiscal-year sales totals for either new addition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Estée Lauder brands are billion-dollar brands?

The Estée Lauder billion-dollar brands total six, according to the company’s fiscal 2026 results. They are Estée Lauder, Clinique, La Mer, M·A·C, Jo Malone London and TOM FORD.

When did Jo Malone London and TOM FORD join the group?

The Estée Lauder Companies announced the additions on August 19, 2026, as part of its fiscal 2026 results. The fiscal year ended June 30, 2026.

How large was Estée Lauder’s fragrance business in fiscal 2026?

Reported fragrance net sales were $2.779 billion, up 12% from $2.491 billion in fiscal 2025. Organic fragrance net sales increased 10%.

Did Estée Lauder disclose separate sales for Jo Malone London and TOM FORD?

The fiscal 2026 earnings release did not provide separate annual net sales figures for the two brands. It identified both as new additions to the company’s group of billion-dollar brands.

Madonna and Taylor Swift lead the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards field after receiving 11 and nine nominations, respectively. The Sept. 27 ceremony carries added significance because Swift enters tied with Beyoncé at 30 career VMA wins. The nominations also place both artists in several of the night’s most closely watched categories.

Key Takeaways

• Madonna leads the 2026 VMA nominations with 11 nods, while Taylor Swift follows with nine.
• Swift enters the ceremony tied with Beyoncé at 30 career VMA wins.
• Madonna and Swift are both nominated for Video of the Year and Artist of the Year.
• The VMAs will air live from Los Angeles on Sept. 27, with voting in 13 fan categories closing Sept. 25.

Madonna and Taylor Swift hold the two largest nomination totals heading into the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, creating separate record implications for two artists with extensive histories at the ceremony.

MTV announced the nominations on Aug. 18. Madonna leads the field with 11, followed by Swift with nine. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter are next with seven nominations each.

The most immediate record possibility belongs to Swift. She enters the ceremony tied with Beyoncé at 30 career VMA wins. One victory on Sept. 27 would move Swift ahead of that total.

Madonna enters from a different position. The Associated Press counts 19 competitive VMA wins in her career and separately notes her 1986 Video Vanguard Award. A sweep of her 11 competitive categories this year would bring her to 30 competitive wins.

Madonna’s 11 Nominations Set the 2026 VMA Pace

Madonna’s nominations extend across major awards and several categories recognizing video production. She is nominated for Video of the Year, Artist of the Year and Song of the Year, as well as Best Collaboration, Best Dance, Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Choreography and Best Visual Effects.

“Confessions II – The Film” represents Madonna in Video of the Year. Her collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter, “Bring Your Love,” is nominated for Song of the Year and Best Collaboration.

The 2026 showing also adds another chapter to Madonna’s MTV history. She performed “Like a Virgin” at the inaugural VMAs in 1984 and received the Video Vanguard Award two years later.

AP reports that Madonna has now received VMA nominations in every decade of her musical career. Her 2026 total is notable not only because she leads the field, but because her nominations span artist-level awards, collaboration, dance and technical categories.

The Video of the Year race puts “Confessions II – The Film” against entries from several other heavily nominated performers, including Swift, Grande, Bruno Mars and Carpenter.

Taylor Swift Enters One Win From a VMA Record

Taylor Swift’s nine nominations give the ceremony its clearest potential record change.

Swift and Beyoncé are tied at 30 career VMA wins. A single victory this year would give Swift 31, placing her alone at the top of the career total.

Swift is nominated for Video of the Year and Artist of the Year, along with Best Pop, Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Choreography and Best Visual Effects.

Her Video of the Year entry, “The Fate of Ophelia,” faces Madonna’s “Confessions II – The Film,” Ariana Grande’s “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” Bruno Mars’ “I Just Might,” Sabrina Carpenter’s “Tear” and GENER8ION’s “Storm” starring Yung Lean.

Swift’s broader 2026 visual output has also included a separate Taylor Swift music video connected to “Elizabeth Taylor.” That release is separate from the VMA-nominated “The Fate of Ophelia,” but adds context to her visual work during the year.

The record implications mean Swift does not need to overtake Madonna’s nomination count to change VMA history. Any one of her nine categories could move her beyond the existing 30-win mark.

The September Ceremony Features a Wider Field

The 2026 nominations extend well beyond Madonna and Taylor Swift. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter received seven nominations each. Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson received five apiece, while LISA earned four.

Shakira, Tate McRae, GENER8ION and Yung Lean each received three nominations.

Artist of the Year includes Madonna, Swift, Grande, Mars, Carpenter and Morgan Wallen. Video of the Year similarly concentrates several of the year’s most-nominated performers into one category.

The ceremony also includes 26 first-time VMA nominees. AP identified GENER8ION, Yung Lean, CORTIS, Stella Lefty, Don Toliver, Kali Uchis, Noah Kahan, Olivia Dean, Tucker Wetmore and Sienna Spiro among those receiving their first nominations.

Best Dance is returning after a seven-year absence, with Madonna among the nominees alongside Tate McRae, Bebe Rexha and Faithless, Harry Styles, Lady Gaga and Doechii, PinkPantheress with Zara Larsson, and Slayyyter.

The two-hour ceremony will air live from the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE on Sunday, Sept. 27, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern and 4:30 p.m. Pacific. CBS will broadcast the show, MTV will simulcast it and Paramount+ will stream it live in the United States.

Fan voting is open in 13 categories through Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. Eastern. Voting for Best New Artist will remain open during the ceremony.

For Madonna and Taylor Swift, the final results carry two distinct measures. Madonna enters with the largest nomination total of 2026, while Swift enters one award away from establishing a new career VMA wins total. The Sept. 27 results will determine whether either record scenario becomes part of the ceremony’s history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who leads the 2026 MTV VMA nominations?

Madonna leads the 2026 MTV VMA nominations with 11 nominations. Taylor Swift follows with nine, while Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each have seven.

How close is Taylor Swift to the VMA wins record?

Taylor Swift is tied with Beyoncé at 30 career VMA wins. One victory at the 2026 ceremony would move Swift ahead with 31.

Which categories include Madonna and Taylor Swift?

Madonna and Taylor Swift are both nominated for Video of the Year and Artist of the Year. Their Video of the Year entries are “Confessions II – The Film” and “The Fate of Ophelia,” respectively.

When are the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards?

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 27, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Eastern and will air on CBS, simulcast on MTV and stream live on Paramount+ in the United States.

Why are the 2026 nominations significant for Madonna and Taylor Swift?

Madonna and Taylor Swift enter the ceremony with the two highest nomination totals. Madonna leads with 11, while Swift’s nine opportunities give her multiple chances to move beyond the current 30-win career VMA record.