Madonna reveals she DMed Sabrina Carpenter for 'Bring Your Love' as they win Best Collab at VMAs

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Madonna revealed the unexpected story behind her collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. The singer said she decided to reach out to Carpenter herself after five days passed without hearing back about whether Carpenter wanted to record a song with her.

The direct message eventually led to 'Bring Your Love,' a collaboration from Madonna's album 'Confessions II.' The pair performed the song together during Madonna's opening performance at the 2026 VMAs on Sunday, September 27, before winning the Best Collaboration award for the track.

Madonna reveals how Sabrina Carpenter collaboration started

While accepting the Best Collaboration award alongside Carpenter, Madonna shared how their collaboration came together.

"Everybody who knows me knows how impatient I am," Madonna said, explaining that five days had passed without her getting connected with Carpenter or hearing whether she wanted to do a song with her.

"Five days," Madonna emphasized before revealing that she decided to contact Carpenter herself.

"I DMed her," Madonna said.

The singer then revealed that Carpenter responded to her message and that the two were soon working together in the studio.

"This is a true story. She answered me back, and I don't know, within weeks, we were in the studio together. It was fabulous," Madonna said.

Madonna's story offered a behind-the-scenes look at how 'Bring Your Love' came together. The collaboration moved forward after she chose to contact Carpenter directly rather than wait for a response.

Sabrina Carpenter responds to Madonna's DM

Carpenter also addressed Madonna's story while accepting the award.

"My team replies, just so everybody knows. They do respond to people, but I respond faster," Carpenter said. "So a direct line to me is always the best way to get in contact."

The story came after the two singers performed 'Bring Your Love' during the 2026 VMAs. Carpenter joined Madonna early in the opening performance for the collaboration from 'Confessions II.'

Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter win Best Collaboration

The VMAs appearance marked Madonna's first performance at the ceremony in 23 years. She opened the show with Carpenter performing 'Bring Your Love' before Charli XCX joined her for 'Danceteria.'

Madonna and Carpenter later won the Best Collaboration award for 'Bring Your Love.' The song was also nominated for Song of the Year at the 2026 VMAs.

What began with Madonna's decision to send Carpenter a direct message ultimately became a recording collaboration and a joint VMAs performance. Their acceptance speech revealed how the DM helped bring the two singers together for 'Bring Your Love.'