Madonna has revealed she resorted to personally messaging Sabrina Carpenter after waiting five days to hear whether the singer wanted to collaborate, prompting an awkward but playful exchange between the pair at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
The pop icon shared the behind-the-scenes story as she and Carpenter accepted the Best Collaboration award for 'Bring Your Love' on Sunday, 27 September. Madonna said she had been unable to get connected with Carpenter through the usual channels, so she decided to take matters into her own hands.
Madonna Reveals Five-Day Wait for Sabrina Carpenter
Madonna began the story by acknowledging her reputation for impatience before explaining how the collaboration nearly stalled before it had even begun.
'Everybody who knows me knows how impatient I am,' Madonna told the audience.
She said five days passed without her being connected with Carpenter or learning whether the 'Espresso' singer wanted to record a song with her.
Rather than continue waiting, Madonna went directly to Carpenter.
'So I DM'd her,' she revealed.
Madonna said Carpenter answered her message and, within weeks, they were working together in the studio. She described the experience as 'fabulous' and praised Carpenter for being professional.
Madonna's account did not establish that Carpenter herself had deliberately ignored the request. Instead, the singer described a delay in being connected with her future collaborator.
Sabrina Carpenter Responds to Madonna's Revelation
Carpenter laughed as Madonna revealed the five-day delay and quickly addressed the apparent communication mishap involving her team.
'My team replies, just so everybody knows,' Carpenter said, adding that she personally responds faster and suggesting a direct line to her was the best way to make contact.
The exchange attracted attention online, where some viewers characterised the moment as awkward.
One Instagram commenter responding to a clip of the speech wrote, 'This was soooo awkward,' while another described the exchange as 'awkward and staged.' A third viewer pointed to Carpenter's laugh during the moment.
The social media reactions were viewers' interpretations of the exchange rather than evidence of tension between Madonna and Carpenter, who appeared together throughout the awards ceremony.
Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter Perform 'Bring Your Love'
Earlier in the evening, Madonna opened the 2026 MTV VMAs with her first performance at the awards show in 23 years.
Carpenter joined Madonna during 'Bring Your Love,' appearing at the piano before performing alongside her. Charli xcx later joined Madonna for 'Danceteria Afterhours.' The elaborate opening also featured appearances from Julia Garner, Sombr and Seth Rogen.
The performance marked Madonna's first time performing at the VMAs since her famous 2003 appearance with Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliott.
'Bring Your Love' Wins Best Collaboration at 2026 VMAs
'Bring Your Love,' from Madonna's 'Confessions II' era, ultimately earned Madonna and Carpenter the Best Collaboration trophy.
The pair were also nominated together for Song of the Year, while Madonna received nominations in several of the ceremony's biggest categories, including Video of the Year and Artist of the Year. 'Confessions II' was also nominated for Best Album.
Madonna entered the ceremony as the year's most-nominated artist, with the VMAs' original nominations announcement crediting her with 11 nods across major and technical categories.
