Earlier this week it was announced that Taylor Swift will receive the inaugural Artist Director Honors, becoming the most awarded artist in VMA history.

Swift is currently tied with Beyoncé for the title of most-awarded musician in VMA history. They have 30 each. (Eminem is the male artist with the most VMAs with 15.) The new award, which according to the VMAs is meant to recognize artists “whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling,” will bring her total to 31.

She will also debut the music video for her new song, “Patient Zero,” during the award show. Swift directed the visual, which stars Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson.

“Patient Zero” is also her first single since marrying Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden in July.

Here's what else to know ahead of Sunday night's show.

How to watch the show

The two-hour MTV Video Music Awards show will broadcast live on CBS on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern and 4:30 p.m. Pacific, from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

It is the first time since 2017 that the VMAs have picked a location that is not in New York or New Jersey.

The VMAs are also simulcast on MTV and be available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. It will become available to stream globally the next day on Paramount+ and MTV.

Snoop Dogg, a 13-time VMAs nominee and three-time winner, will host. Snoop made his debut on the VMAs stage in 1994. He closed the show in 1999 with Dr. Dre and Eminem and returned for a tribute to the Notorious B.I.G. and again for a performance with Eminem in 2022.

Who's nominated at the 2026 MTV VMAs

Madonna leads the 2026 MTV Video Music Award nominations. The pop superstar has been nominated in every decade of her musical career. She has 19 competitive MTV VMA wins and in 1986 became the first solo female artist to receive the Video Vanguard Award.

She is up for 11 awards at this year’s ceremony, including video, artist and song of the year, as well as best collaboration, dance, direction, art direction, cinematography, editing, choreography and visual effects.

Taylor Swift follows with the second-most nominations with nine. She is up for video and artist of the year as well as best pop, direction, art direction, cinematography, editing, choreography and visual effects.

Madonna and Swift are followed by Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter with seven nods each to their names, as well as Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson with five. Blackpink’s LISA has four and Shakira, Tate McRae, GENER8ION and Yung Lean are tied for three.

Who’s performing at the 2026 MTV VMAs

Madonna will open the show. It will mark her first performance at the VMAs in 23 years.

Kacey Musgraves will pay homage to the late, great Dolly Parton. The country music icon, whose soaring vibrato vocals, poignant songwriting and sparkling costumes defined her rise from a log cabin in the Tennessee mountains to the height of stardom and acclaim, died in Nashville of cancer in August. She was 80.

Raye, Sombr and Teddy Swims will pay tribute to George Michael, who died 10 years ago on Christmas Day. He was 53.

It's double duty for Raye, who also will perform solo.

Other performers include GENER8ION with Yung Lean, Shaboozey with Gunna, as well as Lisa and Sienna Spiro.

Who's presenting at the 2026 MTV VMAs

Alex Warren, Belmont Cameli, Charli xcx, Ciara Miller, David Corenswet, Ella Bright, Isabel May, Jeff Probst, Rachel Dratch, Teyana Taylor, Tyla and Troye Sivan will present.

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For more coverage of this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, visit https://apnews.com/hub/mtv-video-music-awards

The images were framed by LGBTQ+ outlets as a “thirst trap”—social-media content designed to attract attention through glamour, flirtation or sexual appeal. The coverage used playful language, but the underlying news event was a renewed burst of online interest in Scott as he returned to queer cultural conversation through his film and television work. The photo shoot itself is not new, and no evidence reviewed for this article establishes that Scott released a new jockstrap image during the three-week period beginning September 4th.

"Out" separately reported on the images, describing Scott in a harness, shirtless, and wearing trousers low enough for a jockstrap to be visible. The publication’s account confirms the basic visual details reported by "Instinct Magazine", while also placing the images within renewed interest in Scott’s public profile.

Neither publication reported that Scott had made a public statement specifically about the jockstrap images. The images should therefore be understood as a fashion and celebrity-media story, rather than evidence of any new personal disclosure by the actor. Scott is a gay actor, but coverage of his appearance should not be treated as a substitute for his own words about his identity or private life.

The wider context is explicitly queer

The renewed attention coincides with Scott’s role in "Elsinore", a drama about Ian Charleson, the Scottish actor who played Hamlet at London’s National Theatre in 1989 while living with AIDS. Scott portrays Charleson during the final months of his life and his preparation for the production.

The film’s subject connects the online thirst-trap conversation to a significant chapter in LGBTQ+ cultural history. Charleson was a gay actor who publicly disclosed that he had AIDS, and his death in 1990 occurred during a period when AIDS-related stigma and misinformation profoundly affected gay men and other communities. The sources reviewed here specifically confirm the film’s focus on Charleson’s life with AIDS, but do not independently establish every historical detail about his public advocacy or personal experience.

The Guardian described Scott’s performance as a portrayal of Charleson and noted Scott’s connection to openly gay representation, including his appearance in the 2014 film "Pride". The review characterized "Elsinore" as an AIDS drama and called attention to the historical and emotional dimensions of the role.

The film also received attention at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival. According to "Instinct Magazine", "Elsinore" won the International People’s Choice Award at the festival. The publication embedded a post from the official Toronto International Film Festival account, Instagram: @tiff_net, discussing Scott and Charleson after the film’s Canadian premiere.

A second viral moment

Scott was also discussed online because of a clip from A24’s forthcoming series "It Gets Worse". The clip, circulated on X by Queer Frames on September 9, 2026, features Scott delivering the sexually explicit line, “You’re just a hole. You’re just a hole for daddy.” "Instinct Magazine" embedded the post and presented it as a separate viral moment from the older Diaries99 images.

The clip’s circulation illustrates how celebrity attention can move between formal entertainment promotion and queer social-media culture. Scott’s recent work spans a historical AIDS drama, a project associated with queer cinema, and a deliberately provocative comedy or dramatic series moment. Those projects have given online audiences several different ways to discuss him at once: as an established actor, a gay public figure, a performer in queer narratives and the subject of flirtatious fan attention.

PinkNews covered Scott’s “daddy” moment on September 8th, describing the online reaction to the clip from "It Gets Worse". Its report provides independent confirmation that the scene was being discussed by LGBTQ+ media during the relevant period.

"Elsinore" is scheduled to open in United States theaters on November 20, 2026 in a limited release before expanding during the Thanksgiving period and through December. The United Kingdom and Ireland release is scheduled for January 29, 2027, according to "Instinct Magazine".

The tribute is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The ceremony will be hosted by Snoop Dogg and broadcast on CBS, simulcast on MTV and streamed on Paramount+ in the United States. The announcement did not specify which Michael songs the performers will sing. Billboard reported that the tribute would feature the three artists together, while RAYE is also scheduled to make her solo performance debut at the VMAs.

Why Fans Are Objecting

The criticism centers on the fact that none of the three announced tribute performers is publicly known as an out LGBTQ+ artist, according to reporting on the reaction. One social-media post argued that organizers should have booked “a gay guy that can sing down,” while other commenters proposed Sam Smith, Adam Lambert and Troye Sivan as possible alternatives.

Michael, who was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in London in 1963, first became internationally famous as one half of Wham! before establishing a successful solo career. His major solo songs included “Faith,” “Father Figure” and “Freedom! ’90.”

Michael was an important trailblazer for LGBTQ+ recording artists. His public identity and career have therefore made questions about queer representation particularly prominent whenever major institutions revisit his work. That connection is reflected in the fan response reported after the VMAs announcement.

Michael died on December 25, 2016, at age 53, of liver and heart disease.

The 2026 tribute comes close to the 10th anniversary of Michael’s death. Billboard also reported that it precedes the planned worldwide release of the live album "George Michael: The Faith Tour" on November 6 and a feature-length film of the same name scheduled for U.S. theaters on December 11.

Across the world, communities are dedicating Friday to honoring the beloved country singer. The day is falling on Sept. 25, a wink at Parton’s hit song “9 to 5.”

Parton, who died of cancer last month at age 80, built an impressive legacy over the decades as a singer-songwriter, actor, philanthropist and entrepreneur — leaving big and small ways to honor the icon.

So whether it’s dusting off your rhinestones, donating a book or throwing back a pink-themed cocktail, here’s how you can celebrate Dolly Parton Day.

Join a celebration

In the U.S., a growing number of state and local leaders are establishing Sept. 25 as an annual Dolly Parton Day from California to the borough of Manhattan in New York City. The proclamations highlight Parton’s successful career and stress her lifelong commitment to promoting literacy.

In Nashville — where Parton had lived since she was 18 — the city will honor the singer with pink lights and posters and give away stickers, buttons and bookmarks. Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines announced that it would hold a Parton-inspired karaoke Friday for travelers and employees. Tennessee state and local officials are currently in the process of renaming the airport after Parton.

“Dolly Parton’s impact on Nashville will be felt for generations, through the music she has given us, the people she has helped and the example she continues to set,” said Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell in a statement. “She has shown us that caring for a community means showing up for one another.”

Over in New Orleans, the marching group Krewe of Dolly will lead a parade through the city’s French Quarter to honor Parton.

And in San Francisco, organizers are planning a public event in the heart of the city, called “Dolly Day,” designed to be a celebration of life that will include “singing loud, dressing up, and being a little kinder than usual in her honor.”

Donate a book to Imagination Library

For those chained to their actual 9 to 5 job on Friday, sneaking away for an event may be challenging. Instead, you can channel Parton’s giving spirit.

Parton made it her mission to improve literacy through her Imagination Library book giveaway program. The program has quickly expanded, resulting in more than a million books sent out each month to children in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia.

The Imagination Library is encouraging the public to give directly to their local Imagination Library Partner on Dolly Parton Day, or help establish a new program in their community.

Don’t know where to start? The Dollywood Foundation is directing people to ImaginationLibrary.com, where a ZIP code search can find nearby programs.

“For Dolly, giving was always personal and from her heart,” said Jeff Conyers, president of The Dollywood Foundation, in a statement. “She believed deeply in helping people, especially children, and she always felt if you are in a position to help, you should help.”

Get inspired by Parton's style and songs

The Queen of Country was known for her over-the-top style, proudly wearing sequins with big hair and plenty of fringe in her signature color pink.

Parton especially adored butterflies, singing that “love is like a butterfly, as soft and gentle as a sigh.”

Dig into your closet and throw on something extra flashy, shiny or sparkly. Feeling adventurous? Some tattoo artists are offering Dolly-inspired tattoos on Friday, but a butterfly clip will also work.

Of course, there's no easier way to celebrate Parton than by playing one of her many, many albums throughout the day.

Known for her hits “9 to 5,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You,” Parton's catalog runs deep, and there's room to discover new favorites.

It was Parton’s wish that her songs would have a lasting impact, and that in turn, she would be remembered for trying to make the world a better place.

“I hope that a lot of my songs may last that long. And I hope I’ll be remembered as somebody that tried to do some good in the world and left, you know, a few good things,” she told The Associated Press in 2024.

Murphy disclosed the development to "Entertainment Tonight" on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the New York City premiere of the 13th season of "American Horror Story".

“Funny you ask, because I just finished the script an hour ago,” Murphy told "Entertainment Tonight".

The writer and producer said the script was written with Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, the co-creators who worked with Murphy on the original series.

“Brad, Ian and I, who wrote all the first two seasons, have written something,” Murphy said.

The existence of a script does not mean that a new series has been ordered. "Deadline" reported that the proposed project, from 20th Television, had not been set up at a platform as of Sept. 24.

Murphy also indicated that the script remains at an early stage of development.

“Nobody’s read it, so I don’t know, we’ll see,” Murphy said.

Original Cast Members Have Been Contacted

Murphy said he had been in touch with approximately 10 members of the original "Glee" cast about the possibility of returning.

According to Murphy, the cast members he contacted asked questions about the proposed continuation but were enthusiastic about the idea.

“It’s very sweet, and they all had a lot of questions, but they all were very enthusiastic about the idea,” Murphy said.

That response does not represent formal casting confirmation. The actors have not read the completed script, and no returning cast members have been officially announced for a new production.

Murphy said he wanted to write additional material before presenting the story to the cast.

“I vowed to myself that I wanted to write a couple of them to see what people think, particularly the cast, because we were very close when we were making it,” Murphy said.

His comments leave open several questions, including whether the proposed project would be ordered, where it would be released, and which performers might participate.

A New Incarnation of the Musical Series

The reported project is being described as a reboot, revival, or new incarnation rather than a confirmed continuation with an announced format.

Murphy had previously discussed revisiting the "Glee" universe, saying in July that the idea had “come back around.”

The July report said Falchuk had also previously raised the possibility of rebooting the series.

The latest announcement marks a change from earlier discussions because Murphy now says that a script has been completed.

However, no story details have been released. Murphy has not publicly identified the characters involved, described the setting, or explained whether the proposed project would follow the original characters or introduce a new group of performers.

The Original Series’ Legacy

The original "Glee" was a Fox musical comedy-drama that ran for six seasons from 2009 to 2015.

The series centered on the members of a high-school show choir and combined musical performances with storylines about friendship, identity, relationships, family, bullying, disability, sexuality, and belonging.

Its ensemble included performers such as Lea Michele, Jane Lynch, Matthew Morrison, Chris Colfer, Darren Criss, Amber Riley, Heather Morris, Kevin McHale and Naya Rivera.

The program also became closely associated with LGBTQ+ representation through characters including Kurt Hummel, played by openly gay actor Chris Colfer, and Santana Lopez, played by Naya Rivera.

Any future production would therefore enter a television landscape in which audiences and performers may closely examine how LGBTQ+ characters and storylines are represented. The available reports do not state whether the proposed script includes transgender characters, queer characters, or any specific LGBTQ+ storylines.

What Happens Next

For now, Murphy’s announcement establishes only that he, Falchuk and Brennan have completed one script for a possible "Glee" reboot.

The script has not been publicly released, the original cast has not read it, a platform has not been identified, and no production schedule has been announced.

Murphy’s next stated step is to write more material and assess the response, particularly from cast members who worked on the original series.

Until those development steps occur, the project remains a potential revival rather than an officially commissioned television series.

The images were shared through Warner Bros.’ TikTok account and present the first official visual material from the production beyond earlier promotional footage.

The lead image shows a figure identified as Elijah Wood’s Frodo Baggins approaching the round green door of Bag End, Frodo’s home in the Shire.

The figure is seen from behind rather than in a clear facial portrait, but multiple reports identify the character as Frodo and the performer as Wood.

The remaining images depict Hobbits in the Shire, pumpkins prepared for harvest, and the landscape in warm autumn light.

Other photographs show Andy Serkis working behind the camera and additional production material from the Shire.




Warner Bros. released the images shortly after Hobbit Day, observed on September 22.

The date corresponds to the birthdays of Bilbo Baggins and Frodo Baggins in J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional calendar.

Story and Timeline

"The Hunt for Gollum" is being presented as a prequel to Jackson’s "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

The reported story occupies the period between Bilbo’s departure from the Shire after his 111th birthday and Frodo’s departure to begin the quest depicted in "The Fellowship of the Ring".

In Tolkien’s chronology, that interval lasts approximately 17 years.

Jackson’s first film compressed that passage of time into a small number of scenes, while the new film is positioned to dramatize events that take place before Frodo leaves home.

The film’s title indicates that Gollum’s movements and the search for him will be central to the story.

Reports have also connected the narrative to the search undertaken by Gandalf and Aragorn, an episode Gandalf recounts in Tolkien’s novel.

Returning Cast and Filmmakers

Serkis is directing the film and returning as Gollum, the role he played in Jackson’s "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" films.

Wood is returning as Frodo, reprising the character he played throughout Jackson’s original trilogy.

Ian McKellen is also returning as Gandalf, according to reporting about the film’s cast and recent production material.

Jamie Dornan has been reported as playing Aragorn, the character previously portrayed by Viggo Mortensen in Jackson’s trilogy.

Lee Pace is reported to be returning as Thranduil, the Elven king he played in "The Hobbit" trilogy.

The reported cast also includes Anya Taylor-Joy as Seren, Leo Woodall as Halvard, and Kate Winslet as Marigol.

Peter Jackson is attached as a producer, while Howard Shore’s score is associated with the newly released image material.

Production and Release

The film is currently being shot in New Zealand, with production having begun in July 2026.

The first-look images are distinct from earlier unofficial or behind-the-scenes material circulated online during production.

Earlier footage showed Serkis preparing to perform as Gollum and included views of the New Zealand landscape, but the new photographs are the first substantial official look at the film’s Shire setting and returning characters.

Warner Bros. has scheduled "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" for theatrical release on December 17, 2027.

The release date places the film in the same month associated with Jackson’s original trilogy, whose three installments opened in consecutive Decembers from 2001 through 2003.

The newly released images do not show Gollum directly, and Warner Bros. has not released a full plot synopsis alongside the gallery.

Court documents filed in Nashville offer the first signs of discord in a carefully managed estate process for one of the most beloved personalities in music and beyond.

Bryan Seaver, who owns a company that provided Parton’s security detail and was handpicked by the star to announce her death from cancer last month, did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press requesting comment.

In the temporary restraining order request filed by She’s Alive, the entity that manages and protects Parton’s professional property and business, and other court documents, it claims Seaver sent increasingly threatening messages over the last several weeks. She’s Alive is run by Danny Nozell, Parton’s longtime manager.

Last week, “She’s Alive” terminated Seaver and Squadron Augmented Protection Services, saying his "terrorizing conduct made their continued retention untenable,” according to court documents.

The court documents showcase a series of text messages and emails She's Alive says were sent by Seaver starting just before Parton's death. The messages begin with threats to destroy the brand, and then after her death, depict Seaver reveling in his newfound fame and calling himself an “international arms dealer."

In one message written on Sept. 1 and included in the court documents, he said: “I’m going to set up a podcast dedicated to ruining Dolly’s brand partnerships and telling the violations these people have done on us. It’s going to be great. Or f——— pay me.”

Seaver also claimed that he worked for private military contractors overseas during the Iraq War and used that experience as part of these threats, according to the complaint.

The messages have resulted in Parton’s trusts and estates attorney leaving and employees of She’s Alive resigning, according to the court documents. The entity has also had to hire private security for its employees, including at their homes, the documents state.

The restraining order is meant to stop Seaver from talking with or being within 1,000 feet (304.8 meters) of She’s Alive employees, attorneys and business partners. It also is meant to keep him from interfering with its business relationships.

Parton wrote hundreds of songs, including classics like “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You,” that earned a total of more than 100 million worldwide sales and more than 1 billion online streams.

The appearance will be Madonna’s first live performance at the VMAs in 23 years.

The 2026 ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, and will be broadcast live from Los Angeles.

CBS and MTV identified Madonna as the night’s most nominated artist in their announcement, although the announcement did not provide details about the songs, staging or collaborators planned for her opening performance.

Madonna’s most recent VMA performance was in 2003, when she appeared in the ceremony’s opening number with Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliott.

A Return to a Defining Stage

The 2003 performance began with Madonna singing “Like a Virgin” before the performance continued with Spears, Aguilera and Elliott.

The performance became one of the most widely remembered moments in the awards show’s history after Madonna kissed Spears and Aguilera during the broadcast.

The 2026 announcement therefore places Madonna’s return on the same program where her last VMA performance remains a major part of the ceremony’s cultural history.

The announcement does not state that the 2026 performance will revisit the 2003 staging or feature any of the artists who appeared with Madonna at that ceremony.

Broadcast Details

The VMAs will air on CBS from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time, or 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

The broadcast will be simulcast on MTV and streamed live in the United States on Paramount+.

Paramount Press Express said the ceremony will be available internationally on Paramount+ and MTV the following day.

Snoop Dogg will host the ceremony.

The ceremony is set to take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

“The doctor said everything went perfectly,” Richie’s representative said in a statement, adding that the singer is “doing great” but will take some time off before returning to the stage.

The representative described the treatment as a “common procedure for Atrial fibrillation ,” but did not publicly provide additional medical details about Richie’s diagnosis, the specific technique used, or his expected recovery timetable.

TMZ reported that the procedure was an AFib ablation, a minimally invasive treatment that uses a catheter to address electrical signals associated with an irregular heart rhythm.

Richie’s representative did not characterize the treatment as open-heart surgery, and reports described it as non-emergency care.

Impact on the Tour

The health update led Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire to cancel the next three performances on their joint Sing a Song All Night Long Tour.

The canceled concert in San Francisco was scheduled for September 26 at Chase Center.

The tour’s Chicago performance was scheduled for September 30 at the United Center.

The third canceled show was scheduled for October 2 at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Variety reported that Richie’s next listed concerts were a three-night engagement at the Encore Theater in Las Vegas beginning October 14, although the report said those performances remained scheduled at the time of publication.

The available reports did not establish whether the canceled performances would be rescheduled or specify the refund arrangements for ticket holders.

What Is Atrial Fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation, commonly called AFib, is an irregular heart rhythm that begins in the heart’s upper chambers, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

During AFib, the heart’s upper chambers do not beat in a regular rhythm, which can affect how blood moves through the heart.

The condition can be treated in several ways, depending on a patient’s circumstances, including medication, electrical cardioversion, and catheter ablation.

Catheter ablation uses thin tubes inserted through a blood vessel and guided toward the heart, where physicians treat tissue involved in abnormal electrical signaling.

Depending on the ablation method, energy is used to create small areas of treated tissue that interrupt or isolate electrical pathways associated with the irregular rhythm.

The exact form of ablation reportedly performed on Richie has not been independently detailed in a statement from his medical team.

Medical guidance on AFib treatment is individualized, and a description of a procedure as common or minimally invasive does not provide enough information to assess an individual patient’s health outlook.

Recent Hospitalization Reports

Richie’s latest procedure followed reports that he had been hospitalized while on tour.

Earlier in September, People reported that Richie had returned home to Los Angeles after a hospital stay and was “doing great.”

Reports at that time said Richie had been hospitalized in St. Louis after he was unable to complete a performance, while subsequent coverage said doctors were evaluating cardiac-related concerns.

The September 22 reports described the new hospitalization as another episode involving heart concerns and said it had interrupted the ongoing tour with Earth, Wind & Fire.

Some outlets characterized the latest hospitalization as Richie’s third in several months, but the publicly available statements from his representative did not provide a complete medical chronology.

For that reason, the number and timing of Richie’s hospitalizations should be treated as media-reported rather than as a comprehensive account issued by his physicians.

Statement on His Return

Richie’s representative said the singer plans to return to performing after taking time away to recover.

No further public medical statement from Richie or his doctors was included in the reports reviewed for this article.

The immediate confirmed consequences are that Richie is taking a temporary break from touring and that three dates with Earth, Wind & Fire have been canceled.

The status of later performances may change depending on Richie’s recovery and any updates from his representatives, medical team, tour organizers, or venues.