VMAs 2026: Best-known red carpet misses and who landed on Daily Mail’s 'worst dressed' list

The 2026 MTV VMAs returned to the West Coast after a nine-year absence, staging the ceremony at Los Angeles' Peacock Theatre. Media coverage split focus between onstage winners and the red carpet. The Daily Mail published a roundup of looks it judged to be the night's worst, citing unconventional silhouettes, mismatched materials, and apparent wardrobe risks.

The Daily Mail named roughly 16 celebrities in its worst-dressed compilation. Short summaries below capture the specific elements the outlet singled out.

• Lisa Rinna (63): Wore an all-white look featuring a molded, plunging breastplate paired with a flowing skirt and a high thigh split.
• Adam Lambert (44): Arrived in a gothic ensemble with an oversized black cloak, statement headpiece, dark eye makeup, and black-painted nails.
• Tyla (24): Chose a blue snakeskin-print two-piece (skirt and bra) finished with a matching choker and pointed-toe heels.

• Sombr (21): Appeared shirtless under an oversized striped fur coat with leather pants, multiple drooping necklaces, and a belt labeled "sex."
• Inji (25): Opted for a brown crocodile-leather-inspired trench with matching shorts and purple platform heels, which the coverage described as looking uncomfortable.
• Ashton Ray (23): Arrived topless, wearing white baggy pants, a flowing train, and an oversized fur-style coat.

• Brooke Schofield (29): Chose a beige Nicola Bacchilega one-piece with a ribbed see-through corset and an abundant skirt that revealed underwear.
• Meek (32): Appeared swamped by a white tulle puffball dress, paired with gladiator-style heels and black leather gloves.
• Rei Ami (31): Wore a black macramé-style sheer outfit with an intricate star-shaped weave that risked a wardrobe malfunction.
• Rachel Dratch (60): Selected a busty gray dress with an asymmetric hem and a draped overlay, finished with a bolero and block heels that appeared ill-fitting.
• Haiden Henderson (25): Combined mismatched pointed-toe boots, leather trousers with studs, a denim jacket exposing his midriff, and a bold red cape.
• Savannah Demers (26) and Jessica Golich (37): Both were cited for looks the outlet viewed as washed-out or clashing, including dimensional florals, leopard print, and glitter platforms.

The Daily Mail's fashion critique ran parallel to the awards results. The publication listed winners including Taylor Swift for Video of the Year, Madonna for Artist of the Year, and Sienna Spiro as Best New Artist. The ceremony also featured notable performers and appearances, which kept attention on both stage and carpet moments.