The show aired live on CBS and multiple Paramount networks
Tonight (Sun, Sept 7th), the 2025 MTV VMAs, hosted by LL Cool J at the UBS Arena in New York, celebrated the year’s best music videos with several standout moments, from major wins to memorable performances and red carpet fashion.
Lady Gaga was the night’s most-awarded artist, taking home four Moon Person trophies, including Artist of the Year and Best Collaboration for her song with Bruno Mars, “Die With a Smile.” She had to cut her time in the arena short as she was set to perform at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan a short time later.
Ariana Grande won the night’s biggest honor, Video of the Year, for her music video “Brighter Days Ahead.” She also won Best Pop, bringing her total to three awards, which tied her with Sabrina Carpenter.
Sabrina Carpenter secured three awards, including Best Album for Short n’ Sweet. During her acceptance speech, she famously dropped an f-bomb and gave a shout-out to “my queens” and the LGBTQ+ community, saying “the world is your f——‘ oyster.”
Kendrick Lamar won Best Hip-Hop for his Drake diss track “Not Like Us.”
Rosé and Bruno Mars took home the award for Song of the Year for their collaboration “APT.”
Alex Warren was named Best New Artist.
Mariah Carey was honored with the prestigious Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, which was presented to her by Ariana Grande. She also performed a medley of her hits.
An all-star tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne was a highlight of the night. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Yungblud, and Nuno Bettencourt united on stage to perform a medley of his greatest hits.
Sabrina Carpenter’s performance of “Tears” was a powerful statement on trans rights, as she recreated her music video with drag queens and displayed signs that read “Protect Trans Rights” and “Love each other.”
Ricky Martin was honored with the inaugural Latin Icon Award, and Busta Rhymes received the first-ever MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award. Both artists delivered special performances.
Other performers included Lady Gaga, Jelly Roll, Tate McRae, Doja Cat, Post Malone, and Alex Warren.
The red carpet was filled with a variety of bold looks.
Ariana Grande sported a vintage-inspired Fendi polka-dot gown with a coordinating hair bow.
Sabrina Carpenter turned heads in a glittering, custom Valentino “naked dress” with a contrasting lavender boa.
Doja Cat wore an 80s-inspired, harlequin-print Balmain mini-dress with towering platform heels.
Tate McRae made a statement in a sheer white Grecian-style dress by Ludovic de Saint Sernin.
Tyla wore an archival Chanel mini-dress from the brand’s 1993 collection.
VIDEO OF THE YEAR, Presented by Burger King
Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” – Republic Records
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lady Gaga – Interscope Records
SONG OF THE YEAR
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records
BEST NEW ARTIST
Alex Warren – Atlantic Records
BEST POP ARTIST
Sabrina Carpenter – Island
MTV PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR, presented by Bacardi Rum
KATSEYE – “Touch” – HYBE/Geffen Records (Jan 2025)
BEST COLLABORATION, presented by Under Armour
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile” – Interscope Records
BEST POP
Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” – Republic Record
BEST HIP-HOP
Doechii – “Anxiety” – Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records
BEST R&B
Mariah Carey – “Type Dangerous” – gamma.
BEST ALTERNATIVE
sombr – “back to friends” – SMB Music/Warner Records
BEST ROCK
Coldplay – “ALL MY LOVE” – Atlantic Records
BEST LATIN
Shakira – “Soltera“ – Sony Music US Latin
BEST AFROBEATS
Tyla – “PUSH 2 START” – FAX Records/Epic Records
BEST K-POP
LISA ft. Doja Cat & RAYE – “Born Again” – Lloud Co./RCA Records
BEST COUNTRY
Megan Moroney – “Am I Okay?” – Columbia Records
BEST ALBUM
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet – Island
BEST LONG FORM VIDEO
Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” – Republic Records
VIDEO FOR GOOD
Charli XCX – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” – Atlantic Records
BEST DIRECTION
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records
BEST EDITING
Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching (From F1® The Movie)” – Atlantic Records
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Doechii – “Anxiety” – Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island
BEST ART DIRECTION
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records
BEST GROUP
BLACKPINK
SONG OF THE SUMMER
Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching (From F1® The Movie)” – Atlantic Records
VIDEO VANGUARD
Mariah Carey
MTV VMA Rock The Bells Visionary Award
Busta Rhymes
LATIN ICON AWARD
Ricky Martin
