{"id":8084738,"date":"2026-09-24T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/?p=8084738"},"modified":"2026-09-24T09:40:25","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T16:40:25","slug":"vmas-2026-producer-interview-madonna-taylor-swift-van-toffler","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thewrap.com\/industry-news\/awards\/vmas-2026-producer-interview-madonna-taylor-swift-van-toffler\/","title":{"rendered":"How VMAs Producer Plans to \u2018Create the Mayhem All Over Again\u2019 With Madonna, Taylor Swift and George Michael"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

Van Toffler, the producer responsible in part for Madonna\u2019s iconic 2003 three-way kiss at the MTV Video Music Awards, wants more mayhem as he brings the awards show back to Los Angeles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The VMAs<\/a> have not been hosted in the city of Angels since 2017, but the show promises splashy moments with its return. On the heels of her 13 nominations for \u201cConfessions II,\u201d Madonna will perform for the first time at the awards show in 23 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cLike a Virgin\u201d singer has created many a moment at the awards show, including her breakthrough 1984 performance in a wedding dress and her 1990 \u201cVogue\u201d lipsync. This year she will open the show with some \u201cvery special guests,\u201d Toffler teased. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cIt’s kind of amazing that Madonna is still relevant and received these accolades and nominations so many years after that memorable 1984 performance she did,\u201d the producer told TheWrap. \u201cIt was kind of undeniable to try to have her back on the show somehow and opening it. She never gives a performance that people don’t talk about.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toffler\u2019s production and distribution company Gunpowder & Sky, which he co-founded in 2016, signed a multi-picture and multi-year production partnership with Paramount Global in 2025, which was part of the reason the producer returned to live TV. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He produced last year\u2019s VMAs, which saw Lady Gaga take MTV to Madison Square Garden and Sabrina Carpenter perform a rain-soaked rendition of \u201cTears.\u201d The 2026 show brings the show back to L.A. with the Long Beach\u2019s own Snoop Dogg serving as the \u201cmasters of ceremony.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am trying to create the mayhem all over again,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tate McRae performs during the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025 (Credit: Kevin Mazur\/Getty Images for MTV)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Yungblud, Steven Tyler, and Joe Perry perform during a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025 (Credit: Arturo Holmes\/Getty Images for MTV)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As part of the night\u2019s celebrations, Taylor Swift will receive the Artist Director Honors award. This award is a one-off honor that celebrates the pop superstar\u2019s achievements in front of and behind the camera. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The announcement (and this interview) came hours before Swift announced that her video for the “Patient Zero” would debut during the broadcast. The popstar also revealed that her surprise \u201cThe Life of a Showgirl\u201d deluxe album would be released Friday. Toffler did not confirm that the nine-time nominee would attend the show, though.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI’ll give you her phone number. You can ask,\u201d he joked. <\/p>\n\n\n

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The 2026 VMAs will pay tribute to Dolly Parton and George Michael. Kacey Musgraves was tapped to honor the country legend. Toffler called the artist \u201ca wonderful embodiment of modern country and strong women in country\u201d and a natural choice for the tribute. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

George Michael, who died a decade ago on Christmas Day 2016, will be honored. Among those performing the homage to the beloved singer are Raye, Sombr and Teddy Swims, with Adam Blackstone serving as musical director for the tribute. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toffler did not reveal too many details of the performance but shared that the English singer-songwriter was \u201can integral part of MTV’s history.\u201d He also shared that audiences should watch Michael\u2019s 1991 performance of \u201cFreedom\u201d for MTV’s 10th anniversary, a potential hint for Sunday\u2019s tribute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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