Madonna performs during a surprise concert in Times Square, in New York City, U.S., June 4, 2026. (Reuters/Brendan McDermid/File Photo)

LOS ANGELES — Pop music veteran Madonna scored the most nominations for MTV’s Video Music Awards on Tuesday, four decades after the “Material Girl” singer put the event on the cultural map with a headline-making performance.

Madonna earned 11 nominations for next month’s VMA ceremony, including nods for video of the year with “Confessions II – The Film” and for artist of the year. That eclipsed the nine nominations for Taylor Swift, who will compete for the video of the year honor with “The Fate of Ophelia” from her most recent album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”

Both musicians already own several VMA Moon Person trophies. Madonna claimed her first in 1986 when she was given the Video Vanguard Award for helping to pioneer the music video format. In 1987, she won best female video for “Papa Don’t Preach” and has hauled in 20 VMAs over her career to date.

It was her performance at the first VMAs in 1984 that created one of the show’s most iconic moments. Madonna took the stage in a wedding gown adorned with a “Boy Toy” belt buckle and rolled on the floor as she sang “Like a Virgin,” pushing the boundaries of what was considered permissible on cable television at the time.

This year she faces off with powerhouse Swift, who recently concluded the highest-grossing concert tour of all time. Swift is tied with Beyonce for the most lifetime VMA wins at 30 apiece.

Other VMA nominees this year include Ariana Grande, winner of last year’s VMA for video of the year, and Sabrina Carpenter. Each received seven nominations.

Fans can vote online in 13 of this year’s categories. Winners will be announced September 27 at a ceremony broadcast live on CBS and MTV and streamed on Paramount+ PSKY.O.

—Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Nia Williams