Madonna received seven awards at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, raising her total to 26. This impressive count places her just behind Beyoncé and Taylor Swift for the most Video Music Awards. At nearly 70, she continues to make a significant impact on her fans and the media. A media expert noted that her speech during the event highlighted her skillful approach.
Regardless of opinions on her music and ever-changing image, her strategic thinking is evident. After opening the show for the first time in 23 years, she collected her awards with confidence. Jen Gottlieb, a media expert and co-founder of Super Connector Media, discussed on Instagram how Madonna’s speech was effective and shared key elements that anyone can use.
Gottlieb pointed out that there is a structure to impactful speeches, applicable whether they last 60 seconds or 60 minutes. She explained that Madonna demonstrated this structure clearly. In her speech, Madonna began with a personal story, recalling a moment 43 years ago when she experienced a mishap with her shoe on stage. She humorously described how she tried to look graceful but ended up exposing herself. This funny moment earned laughter from the audience.
Madonna continued by sharing how her manager had once told her that her career would end after that event. She emphasized that she spent time rediscovering her identity and making music she wanted to create. After receiving applause, she expressed her hope that everyone would take time to find and believe in themselves as well.
Gottlieb returned to break down the three-part structure of Madonna’s speech. The first step is starting with a vulnerable story, which helps the audience connect with the speaker. The second step involves sharing a realization or lesson learned from that story. Finally, the third and most crucial step is offering the audience a takeaway message. Gottlieb summarized that every powerful speech begins with a personal story, followed by a realization, and concludes with a lesson for the audience.
In less than a day, Madonna’s speech garnered over 8,000 likes on Instagram. One commenter remarked that her speech seemed like a planned blunder, which added to its legendary status by being repeated over time. Another follower noted that this structured approach could be beneficial for various formats, including emails and videos. Someone else mentioned that these intentional choices contribute to Madonna’s lasting influence as an icon.
The 2026 VMAs reportedly had 51% more viewership compared to the previous year. What do you think makes Madonna’s speeches so memorable?
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Source: Upworthy, by Cecily Knobler