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Madonna calls out Sabrina Carpenter’s team after they ghosted her for five days at the VMAs


Madonna has been and will always be unapologetic


Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter© Getty
Jovita TrujilloSenior Writer
SEPTEMBER 28, 2026 4:51 PM EDT

Last night was the MTV Awards, and going into the night, there was one person on everybody's mind - Madonna. The singer arrived at the awards as the most-nominated, with 11, and when HOLA! covered the red carpet, her name came up time and again. After opening the show with star-studded cameos with A-listers like Julia Garner and Seth Rogen joining her on stage, she started collecting awards. Her first win was for Best Collaboration, with Sabrina Carpenter for her song "Bring Your Love," but her speech is what really stole the show.

Sabrina and Madonna won Best Collaboration © Getty
Sabrina and Madonna won Best Collaboration

Madonna and Carpenter took the stage together, but the pop icon did 95% of the talking. She revealed exactly how the collaboration came together, including the part where she apparently got tired of waiting for Sabrina’s team to get back to her.

Sabrina took the stage during the show© Getty
Sabrina took the stage during the show

“Everybody who knows me knows how impatient I am,” Madonna began. The "Like a Virgin" singer explained that she had reached out to her team, and five days had passed and she still hadn't been connected with Carpenter or heard whether the younger pop star wanted to make a song with her. “Five days,” Madonna emphasized.

So she did what any pop legend might do and went straight to the source. “I DM’d her,” Madonna revealed. “She answered me back, and I don’t know, within weeks we were in the studio together. It was fabulous,” she said.

Madonna then explained that she and Carpenter had a great time working together, praising her collaborator's professionalism and revealing that their different approaches actually worked well together. “When I show up late, she shows up early, so it works out,” Madonna joked.

Carpenter, who was standing beside Madonna during the speech, looked a smidge awkward as the story unfolded and eventually defended her team. “My team replies, just so everybody knows,” the 27-year-old said. “They do respond to people, but I respond faster. So direct line to me is always the best way to get in contact," she added, laughing. 

Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter - Bring Your Love (Official Video)

Madonna got back on the mic, finishing her speech with, "We're gonna go back there and have a drink or something." When Madonna stopped talking, Carpenter concluded with, "Everybody, Madonna!"

Do NOT keep Madonna waiting © Getty
Do NOT keep Madonna waiting

The whole exchange was a little chaotic, completely unfiltered, and very Madonna. Which was a running theme throughout the show. The 68-year-old would go on to win 7 awards, taking the stage 3 times for acceptance speeches. Each one seemed to get more and more unhinged.

Madonna thanked her hands at one point, saying she can "always count on them." Didn't know what award she won when she accepted it for the "Best Dance" category, and also pretended to take a stick out of her butt. She also made Troye Sivan and Charli XCX stand close to her during her speech while saying there is "safety in numbers."

American pop singer Madonna,on stage at the '1998 MTV Video Music Awards' show, accepts an award for her video 'Ray of Light,' Los Angeles, California, May 31, 1998. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images) © Getty
Madonna, pictured here in 1998, is used to accepting awards at the VMAs

The whole thing was a sight to see, and she went viral on social media with people theorizing what she may or may not have taken throughout the show. But whether or not  Madonna had one too many drinks doesn't really matter; she's a living legend and has proven time and time again she's going to do whatever she wants.