The MTV Video Music Awards 2025 lit up the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, with unforgettable performances, emotional speeches, and history-making wins. Hosted by LL Cool J and broadcast live on CBS, MTV, and Paramount+, this year’s ceremony was a true celebration of music’s biggest names and rising stars.
Lady Gaga Rules the Night
Lady Gaga entered the VMAs with the most nominations -12 in total, and ended up the biggest winner, taking home four trophies, including the prestigious Artist of the Year. Her win came just two days after cancelling a Miami concert due to severe vocal strain.
Accepting her award, Gaga spoke with her usual mix of artistry and sincerity: “Being an artist is an attempt to connect the souls of people all over the world,” she said. “It’s about reminding them to dream, to smile, to cry.” She dedicated the honor to her fans and her partner Michael Polansky.
Though Gaga couldn’t stay for the full show, the VMAs cleverly broadcast her Madison Square Garden performance later that night, where she sang Abracadabra and The Dead Dance.
Ariana Grande Wins Video of the Year
Ariana Grande delivered one of the night’s most emotional victories when her video for Brighter Days Ahead won Video of the Year, the evening’s top award. Grande also secured two more Moon Persons, including Best Long Form Video, making her one of the standout winners of the night.
Sabrina Carpenter Scores Album of the Year
Pop’s newest darling, Sabrina Carpenter, continued her winning streak by claiming Album of the Year for Short n’ Sweet. She also won Best Pop Artist, showing her growth from teen idol to global pop sensation. Carpenter ended the night with three awards, tying Grande in total wins.
Rosé Makes History
BLACKPINK’s Rosé made headlines as the first K-pop star ever to win Song of the Year. Her collaboration with Bruno Mars, APT., not only won the category but also underscored the global reach of K-pop.
Rosé delivered a heartfelt speech, thanking Mars, her BLACKPINK members, and her fans. Most poignantly, she thanked herself: “As my therapist tells me every day, I’d like to thank myself for not giving up, even in the toughest of times.” Her words earned a standing ovation.
Iconic Honors and Emotional Tributes
This year’s VMAs also recognized legends:
- Mariah Carey received the Video Vanguard Award.
- Busta Rhymes was honored with the first Rock the Bells Visionary Award.
- Ricky Martin accepted the inaugural Latin Icon Award.
All three delivered powerful performances, adding star power and nostalgia.
Rock fans were treated to a fiery tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne, with Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, YUNGBLUD, and Nuno Bettencourt uniting for a medley of his greatest hits.
New Categories
Two new awards made their debut: Best Pop Artist (won by Sabrina Carpenter) and Best Country Video (won by Megan Moroney for Am I Okay?). These additions highlight MTV’s effort to stay in tune with the changing music landscape.
MTV VMAs 2025: Full Winners List
Video of the Year
- Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead (WINNER)
- Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
- Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
- Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile
- Rosé & Bruno Mars – APT.
- Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
- The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – Timeless
Artist of the Year
- Lady Gaga (WINNER)
- Bad Bunny
- Beyoncé
- Kendrick Lamar
- Morgan Wallen
- Taylor Swift
- The Weeknd
Song of the Year
- Rosé & Bruno Mars – APT. (WINNER)
- Alex Warren – Ordinary
- Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
- Doechii – Anxiety
- Ed Sheeran – Sapphire
- Gracie Abrams – I Love You, I’m Sorry
- Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile
- Lorde – What Was That
- Tate McRae – Sports Car
- The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – Timeless
Best New Artist
- Alex Warren (WINNER)
Best Pop Artist
- Sabrina Carpenter (WINNER)
MTV Push Performance of the Year
- KATSEYE – Touch (WINNER)
Best Collaboration
- Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile (WINNER)
Best Pop Video
- Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead (WINNER)
Best Hip-Hop
- Doechii – Anxiety (WINNER)
Best R&B
- Mariah Carey – Type Dangerous (WINNER)
Best Alternative
- sombr – Back to Friends (WINNER)
Best Rock
- Coldplay – All My Love (WINNER)
Best Latin
- Shakira – Soltera (WINNER)
Best K-pop
- LISA ft. Doja Cat & Raye – Born Again (WINNER)
Best Afrobeats
- Tyla – Push 2 Start (WINNER)
Best Country Video
- Megan Moroney – Am I Okay? (WINNER)
Album of the Year
- Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet (WINNER)
Best Long Form Video
- Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead (WINNER)
Video for Good
- Charli XCX – Guess ft. Billie Eilish (WINNER)
Best Direction
- Lady Gaga – Abracadabra (WINNER)
Best Art Direction
- Lady Gaga – Abracadabra (WINNER)
Best Cinematography
- Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us (WINNER)
Best Editing
- Tate McRae – Just Keep Watching (WINNER)
Best Choreography
- Doechii – Anxiety (WINNER)
Best Visual Effects
- Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild (WINNER)
Song of the Summer
- Tate McRae – Just Keep Watching (WINNER)
Best Group
- BLACKPINK (WINNER)
A Night to Remember
The 2025 VMAs will be remembered for its mix of powerhouse performances, groundbreaking wins, and historic firsts. With Gaga, Grande, Carpenter, and Rosé leading the charge, this year proved once again that music is not just about sound, it’s about stories, courage, and connection.
