Madonna performed “Like a Virgin” at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards. She opened the inaugural ceremony by emerging from a large wedding cake in a wedding dress, then performed across the stage in a deliberately provocative bridal-themed routine that quickly became one of the most recognizable moments in VMA history.
The performance took place on September 14, 1984, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. During the number, one of Madonna’s high-heeled shoes came off. She later explained that her attempt to retrieve it led to the rolling movement that caused her dress to rise and reveal her underwear—a wardrobe mishap she turned into part of the performance.
The moment helped establish the VMAs as a place where live television, fashion, and pop spectacle could collide. It also strengthened Madonna’s emerging public image during the promotion of her second studio album, Like a Virgin. A common mix-up is confusing this performance with her later VMA appearances, including the 2003 show with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.