The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, held on September 7, 2025, at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, unfolded as a dazzling celebration of music triumphs and unforgettable moments — streamed live for the first time on CBS and Paramount+.
A Star Among Stars: Lady Gaga Dominates
When the night belonged to someone, it belonged to Lady Gaga. With an astonishing 12 nominations, she emerged as the evening’s top nominee and walked away with four Moon Persons, the most of any artist at the MTV VMAs 2025 event.
- Artist of the Year
- Best Collaboration — “Die With a Smile” (with Bruno Mars)
- Plus two additional awards in technical categories: Best Direction and Best Visual Effects for “Abracadabra.”
Her wins were a clear testament to her continued reign over pop music and her influence on visual artistry.
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Ariana Grande: The Reigning Queen of Visuals
A perennial crowd favorite, Ariana Grande had a triumphant night as well, securing three major awards:
- Video of the Year — “Brighter Days Ahead”
- Best Pop Video — same track
- Best Long Form Video — also for “Brighter Days Ahead”
Her acceptance speech was heartfelt and memorable, thanking fans and even whimsically expressing gratitude to her therapist and “gay people” — reflecting her signature blend of charm and authenticity.
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Emerging Artists & Iconic Honorees
The night brilliantly balanced emerging talent with music royalty:
- Alex Warren soared as Best New Artist, leaving many surprised and impressed.
- Sabrina Carpenter claimed Album of the Year (Short n’ Sweet) and Best Pop Artist, solidifying her presence as a force in pop.
- The global collaboration between Rosé and Bruno Mars scored a stunning victory with Song of the Year for “APT.” Their win symbolized the international appeal of their crossover masterpiece.
Honoring Legacy & New Genres
In addition to performance accolades, the VMAs recognized legends and new genres with heartfelt tributes:
- Mariah Carey received the prestigious Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, marking her first-ever VMA win after a 35-year career.
- Busta Rhymes was honored with the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award, while Ricky Martin earned the first-ever Latin Icon Award.
The ceremony also introduced two new fan-voted categories: Best Country and Best Pop Artist, making the awards even more inclusive. Megan Moroney clinched Best Country, and Sabrina Carpenter took Best Pop Artist.
Genre-Specific Standouts
Celebrating musical diversity, the 2025 VMAs distributed awards across several genre-specific and global categories:
- Best Alternative: Sombr – “Back to Friends”
- Best K-pop: Lisa (ft. Doja Cat & RAYE) – “Born Again”
- Best Afrobeats: Tyla – “Push 2 Start”
- Best Country: Megan Moroney, reinforcing country music’s rising mainstream presence.
Behind the Scenes: Why It Mattered
What made the MTV VMAs particularly magnetic?
- Diversity & Recognition: From honoring global genres to introducing new award categories, MTV clearly recognized the evolving and eclectic tastes of today’s music fans.
- Legacy Meets Modern Brilliance: Honoring icons like Mariah Carey, while equally celebrating newcomers like Alex Warren, grounded the show in respect for past, present, and future.
- Visual Artistry Elevated: Awards for direction, choreography, and effects highlighted how music videos remain as much about cinematic storytelling as they are about music.
Full Highlights Recap at a Glance
| Category | Winner(s) |
|---|---|
| Artist of the Year | Lady Gaga |
| Video of the Year | Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead” |
| Song of the Year | Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.” |
| Best New Artist | Alex Warren |
| Album of the Year | Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet |
| Video Vanguard | Mariah Carey |
| Rock the Bells Visionary | Busta Rhymes |
| Latin Icon Award | Ricky Martin |
| Best Pop Artist | Sabrina Carpenter |
| Best Country | Megan Moroney |
| Best Alternative | Sombr – “Back to Friends” |
| Best K-pop | Lisa ft. Doja Cat & RAYE – “Born Again” |
| Best Afrobeats | Tyla – “Push 2 Start” |
| Technical Awards | Gaga, Grande, Carpenter, and others in VFX, editing, direction, etc. |
Final Thoughts
The MTV VMAs 2025 were more than just another awards night—they were a heartfelt affirmation of music’s power to transcend borders, blend genres, and celebrate artistry old and new. Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, and many others reminded us that innovation, emotion, and star power continue to shape the rhythms of our cultural soundtrack.
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