Sabrina Carpenter was one of the standout stars at the 2024 MTV VMAs. While Taylor Swift once again took home multiple awards, including Best Direction, Best Artist, Best Pop Artist, and Best Collaboration, her friend and opening act, Sabrina, walked away with one of the night’s most sought-after honors: Song of the Year.
For such a significant night, Sabrina paid tribute to two of her favorite artists: Britney Spears and Madonna—two icons who have had a major impact on her career. And she did it in two special ways.
The first tribute appeared on the red carpet, where Sabrina wowed everyone in a stunning strapless white gown that reached the floor. Fans of Madonna quickly recognized the design, as it’s the same dress the ‘Like a Virgin’ singer wore to the 1991 Oscars, where she was nominated for Best Original Song for ‘Sooner or Later’ from the film I’m Breathless. This Bob Mackie creation, even after thirty years, continues to make history.
Sabrina Carpenter wore archival Bob Mackie gown to the #VMAs previously worn by Madonna at the 1991 Oscars. pic.twitter.com/C4Y3iKo6QA
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 12, 2024
Sabrina also wanted to pay tribute to Britney Spears during her VMAs performance. She performed a medley of her three big hits from 2024: ‘Please Please Please,’ ‘Taste,’ and ‘Espresso’. During the last two songs, Sabrina humorously recreated the iconic setting from Britney Spears’ ‘Oops! I Did It Again’ music video: an uninhabited planet with astronauts where the only thing to do is dance.
Sabrina Carpenter references Oops!…I Did It Again by Britney Spears during her performance at the #VMAs
“Aww, you shouldn’t have.” pic.twitter.com/QOlSHfS3ie
— Fan Account (@breatheonmiley) September 12, 2024
These two tributes at the 2024 VMAs honored two artists who have given the awards some of their most iconic moments.