Madonna Admits Sliding Into Sabrina Carpenter's DMs After Five-Day Silence

Key points

• Madonna stated she sent a direct message to Sabrina Carpenter after five days without a reply from her team regarding a potential song collaboration.
• The two artists won the Moon Person for Best Collaboration at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards for their track 'Bring Your Love.'
• Madonna also won the Moon Person for Artist of the Year at the same ceremony, marking her first VMA performance since 2003.
• Sabrina Carpenter defended her team, clarifying that while they do respond to inquiries, she personally replies faster and is the best direct contact.
• The collaboration was part of Madonna's 'Confessions II' project, which led to her sweeping multiple awards at the event.

Background

Madonna led the 2026 VMAs nominations with 11 nods, including for 'Confessions II – The Film' and 'Bring Your Love.' Taylor Swift ultimately won Video of the Year and set a new record with 31 total VMA wins. Madonna secured seven awards at the ceremony, including Artist of the Year.

How outlets are covering it

E! News and Yahoo Entertainment focused on the behind-the-scenes anecdote of Madonna's direct outreach, highlighting her impatience and the successful studio session that followed. ELLE and Cosmopolitan emphasized the visual aspects of the event, specifically Sabrina Carpenter's pink beaded tassel gown and the red carpet presence. While all outlets reported the Best Collaboration win, E! News provided the most detailed account of the interaction between the two artists' teams and the subsequent studio work.

Why it matters

The story highlights the informal, direct communication methods that can lead to major musical collaborations in the modern era, bypassing traditional management channels. It also underscores Madonna's continued relevance and dominance in the music industry, as evidenced by her multiple VMA wins and successful new project.

What to watch

The 'Confessions II' album and its associated film are expected to continue gaining traction following the VMA success. Further details on the creative process behind 'Bring Your Love' may emerge as the artists continue to promote the track.