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💡 TLDR
Ariana Grande skipped the VMAs to protect her peace, but she still snatched two massive wins from her couch! She’s officially in her boundary-setting era, but don't worry—she’ll be back this fall to promote her new film.
Ariana Grande is officially choosing herself, and honestly, we have to stan. Even though she skipped the 2026 MTV VMAs in Los Angeles last night, she still walked away with two massive wins for Song of the Summer and Best Visual Effects for “Hate That I Made You Love Me.” Instead of hitting a red carpet, she celebrated by taking to her Instagram Story to thank her fans, calling them “sweet petals.”
Setting Boundaries Like a Pro
Her absence from the ceremony wasn’t actually a shocker if you’ve been paying attention to her recent moves. After wrapping up her Eternal Sunshine Tour on September 1, Ariana made it clear she was planning to step back from the spotlight for a bit. She actually addressed this during an August 4 show, explaining that her decision to take a break wasn’t a reaction to drama or negativity, but a deliberate choice. “It is something that I have decided; it’s a plan that I had quietly made a long time ago, and it’s a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place,” she explained. She was super clear that setting boundaries doesn’t mean she’s done—it just means she’s doing things on her own terms.
💫 “It is something that I have decided; it’s a plan that I had quietly made a long time ago, and it’s a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place,” she explained.
What Is Next For Ari
She isn’t disappearing forever, though. We can expect to see her pop back up this fall because she has major projects on the horizon. A source told People on September 2 that Grande is “committed” to promoting her upcoming film, Focker-in-Law, noting that she is “very proud” of the work. Her VMA dominance was also real: besides wins, “Hate That I Made You Love Me” racked up nominations for Best Pop, Best Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing. Between those technical nods and her Artist of the Year nomination, Ari is still running the game even while she’s off the clock.
Are you team “protect your peace” or do you miss seeing your faves at every awards show?
❓ People Also Ask
Which awards did Ariana Grande win at the 2026 MTV VMAs?
Ariana Grande won two awards at the 2026 MTV VMAs for her work on the song Hate That I Made You Love Me. She secured the wins for Song of the Summer and Best Visual Effects during the ceremony held in Los Angeles. Despite her absence from the red carpet and the live event, her music achieved significant recognition. The song also received several other nominations, including Best Pop, Best Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing.
Why did Ariana Grande skip the 2026 MTV VMAs?
Ariana Grande skipped the 2026 MTV VMAs as part of a deliberate and thoughtful plan to take a break from the spotlight. This decision was not a reaction to any specific drama or negativity but was instead an empowered choice to set personal boundaries. She had previously communicated this intention during an August 4 show, explaining that she planned to step back after completing her Eternal Sunshine Tour. This period allows her to manage her career on her own terms.
What are Ariana Grande's upcoming projects?
Ariana Grande is set to promote her upcoming film, Focker-in-Law, later this fall. While she is currently taking a break from public appearances, she remains committed to her professional obligations and is very proud of this new work. Fans can expect her to reappear in the spotlight as she focuses on promoting this film project. Her ability to balance a hiatus with major upcoming commitments shows her strategic approach to navigating her career and personal life.
How did Ariana Grande celebrate her VMA wins?
Ariana Grande celebrated her two VMA wins by posting a message to her fans on her Instagram Story. Instead of attending the awards ceremony in person, she used social media to express her gratitude to her followers. She affectionately referred to her fans as sweet petals in her digital thank you note. This remote celebration allowed her to acknowledge her success for Song of the Summer and Best Visual Effects while maintaining the boundaries she has established for her personal life.
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📰 Source: Elle