Sabrina Carpenter made waves at the MTV Video Music Awards by paying homage to Madonna, donning the very gown that the Queen of Pop famously wore to the Oscars 33 years ago.
On the red carpet, the buzz was palpable as artists like Addison Rae and Anitta showcased bridal-inspired looks reminiscent of Madonna’s iconic “Like a Virgin” performance at the inaugural VMAs, nearly four decades ago. However, it was Carpenter, a nominee for Artist of the Year, who truly stole the spotlight with her vintage find.
The striking white satin gown, designed by renowned fashion designer Bob Mackie, featured a daring deep-V neckline adorned with sequins, pearls, and crystals. Madonna originally wore the piece to the 1991 Academy Awards while attending alongside Michael Jackson, where she performed “Sooner or Later,” a song from the film Dick Tracy. The gown also served as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, further cementing its connection to Hollywood glamour.
Madonna arrives at the 1991 Academy Awards alongside Michael Jackson. Ron Galella/Getty Images
This iconic dress was a reimagined version of a piece Madonna wore for a Vanity Fair cover shoot. Mackie recounted the story of its creation on Instagram, sharing that the gown was originally borrowed for a photoshoot by stylist Maria Schiavo before Madonna herself requested her own version for the Oscars. Mackie reflected on the gown’s enduring legacy, noting its appearance in Madonna’s controversial 1992 coffee table book, Sex, and its later use by Fran Drescher on The Nanny.
Mackie, celebrated for his designs worn by legends like Monroe, Diana Ross, and Cher, has seen a resurgence in the popularity of his creations in recent years, with stars like Anya Taylor-Joy, Katy Perry, and Kim Kardashian sporting his work.
Carpenter’s stylist, Jared Ellner, revealed that the gown was sourced from Tab Vintage, a Los Angeles-based vintage clothing studio. The stylist shared their vision on Instagram, stating, “We had a really incredible mood board,” and expressed excitement about Carpenter’s final choice.
Sabrina Carpenter dazzled the audience not only with her striking entrance but also with her performance later that night. Nominated for seven awards, Carpenter celebrated a milestone year with her first Billboard 200 album topping the charts. After her stunning red carpet moment, she changed into a corseted bodysuit designed by Victoria’s Secret for her performance, which took over 180 hours to craft and featured a staggering 18,500 hand-applied crystal beads.
Adding to the nods to pop culture, Carpenter’s performance included a kiss with a dancer dressed as an alien, drawing inevitable comparisons to Madonna’s legendary embrace with Britney Spears at the 2003 VMAs. This playful homage, along with her earlier reference to Oops!… I Did It Again, suggested that Carpenter was not just honoring Madonna but also acknowledging the legacy of female pop icons in a memorable evening.
