One thing Raye will never pass up is an opportunity to bring big band back to big stages. The singer and songwriter hit the stage at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards for the first time as a soloist with a six-piece string section and more than a dozen additional musicians. She sure knows how to make an entrance.
Raye opened her set with “I Will Overcome,” which references the legacy of the late Amy Winehouse, while draped in a luscious, floor-length white fur coat. When the garment dropped away, the 28-year-old launched into “Where Is My Husband?” in a glimmering red dress. As always, she traded high heels for high notes and delivered the performance barefoot.
The performance included an updated recording from her grandmother, whose voice is featured on the original studio version of the track. “I know you have been promoting this song for a long time,” she says. “But be patient, my granddaughter. Your husband is coming.” And just for the hell of it, Raye slipped an interpolation of the disco-funk hit “Funkytown” into her set.
It’s been a big year for Raye, who released her second studio album, This Music May Contain Hope, in March. The acclaimed album featured lead single and global breakthrough, “Where Is My Husband!” In a Rolling Stone review for the album, Rob Sheffield observed, “The south London belter has a story to tell on This Music May Contain Hope, and it’s an epic autobiography of romantic despair and nonstop emotional turmoil. Her mighty pipes are as unstoppable as her flair for mascara-melting melodrama.”
Raye is up for the coveted Song of the Year award for her hit “Where Is My Husband,” which peaked at Number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. Raye is up against Madonna and Carpenter’s “Bring Your Love,” BTS’ “Swim,” Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” Huntr/x’s “Golden,” Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need,” and PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson’s “Stateside” remix for the award.
After her solo set, Raye will pay homage to George Michael, who died a decade ago on Christmas Day 2016, during a special VMAs tribute. The singer will perform alongside Sombr, and Teddy Swims, with Adam Blackstone serving as musical director for the remembrance. Michael, who died at age 53, sold more than 100 million records throughout his legendary career and garnered 16 MTV VMAs and MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) over his lifetime, winning four awards. He won the Video Vanguard lifetime achievement award in 1989 and scored a Best Direction win for “Father Figure” in 1988.
Raye’s performance follows a historic opening set by Madonna at the start of the night, who returned to the VMAs after 23 years with special cameos from Carpenter, Charli XCX, Sombr, Seth Rogen, and more. Madonna leads the show with 13 nominations, followed by Taylor Swift with 11. Artist of the Year will find Madonna and Swift competing against Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Sabrina Carpenter, and Morgan Wallen.
This article was originally published on Rolling Stone.