Conan Gray Commands VMAs Red Carpet, Shuts Down Stage with ‘Vodka Cranberry’

Conan Gray turned heads and closed out the MTV VMAs on Sunday at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, debuting a sailor-inspired gown on the red carpet and delivering a show-stopping performance of “Vodka Cranberry.”

In a night defined by bold fashion and high-energy performances, Conan Gray’s nautical couture and main-stage debut underscored his rising star power in pop music’s new era.

Red Carpet Spectacle

• Gray stepped onto the UBS Arena carpet in a denim-heavy Erik Charlotte gown complete with puff sleeves, a corset drop waist, layered ruffles and a matching sailor hat, weighing an estimated 30 pounds and paired with platform boots.
• He posed alongside actor Corey Fogelmanis-who appears in Gray’s “Vodka Cranberry” and “Caramel” videos-quelling dating rumors by insisting their bond is purely creative.

Main Stage Debut

• Making his first VMAs main-stage appearance, Gray closed the ceremony with a dramatic rendition of his Wishbone single “Vodka Cranberry,” even pausing to sip the titular cocktail as pyrotechnics exploded behind him.
• The performance marked a significant career milestone: transitioning from the Extended Play stage in 2022 to headlining the final slot in 2025.

Fan and Industry Reaction

• Social media buzzed as fans applauded Gray’s seamless blend of whimsical storytelling and theatrical flair, noting the perfect thematic match between his sailor look and Wishbone’s maritime motifs.
• Industry insiders hailed the red-carpet photograph with Fogelmanis as a masterstroke of visual branding, reinforcing Conan’s narrative universe.

With a new album out and a fall tour on the horizon, Gray’s VMAs triumph cements his status as one of Gen Z’s most influential singer-songwriters.