On Sunday night, the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards were held at Elmont, New York’s UBS Arena. It was hosted by LL Cool J, who not only invented the G.O.A.T. acronym but who also has two VMA Awards under his belt. That night, two music phenomenons earned recognition in the best way. Mariah Carey received the legendary Vanguard Award. Busta Rhymes also got his flowers with the Rock the Bells Visionary Award.
Music icons like Alex Warren, Busta Rhymes, Conan Gray, Doja Cat, J Balvin (featuring DJ Snake, Justin Quiles, and Lenny Tavárez), Jelly Roll, Mariah Carey, Post Malone, Ricky Martin, Sombr, and Tate McRae, on the other hand, took to the stage with their spectacular performances. Meanwhile, celebrity figures such as Ciara, Ice Spice, Jessica Simpson, Drew Barrymore, Latto, Paris Hilton, and Brittany Snow presented the awards for various categories.
In terms of VMA nominations, Lady Gaga led the group with 12 and was followed by Bruno Mars, who received 11. Other artists like Kendrick Lamar had 10 noms, Sabrina Carpenter had 9, and Rosé had 8. By the end of the show musicians like Gaga, for instance, earned Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration, thanks to her Bruno Mars-assisted hit single “Die With a Smile,” and Best Direction via “Abracadabra.” The ceremony was aired on Paramount+, CBS, and MTV.
Here’s the full list of winners:
Video of the Year – Ariana Grande, “Brighter Days Ahead”
Artist of the Year – Lady Gaga
Song of the Year – Rosé & Bruno Mars, “APT.”
Best New Artist – Alex Warren
Song of Summer – Tate McRae, “Just Keep Watching”
Best Pop – Ariana Grande, “Brighter Days Ahead”
Best Country – Megan Moroney, “Am I Okay?”
Best K-Pop – Lisa ft. Doja Cat & Raye, “Born Again”
Best Afrobeats – Tyla, “Push 2 Start”
Best Alternative – Sombr, “Back to Friends”
Best R&B – Mariah Carey, “Type Dangerous”
Best Album – Sabrina Carpenter, Short n’ Sweet
Best Collaboration – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars, “Die With a Smile”
Push Performance of the Year – Katseye, “Touch” (Jan. 2025)
Best Pop Artist – Sabrina Carpenter
Best Hip-Hop – Doechii, “Anxiety”
Best Rock – Coldplay, “All My Love”
Best Latin – Shakira, “Soltera”
Best Group – Blackpink
Additional Highlights
- Best Direction: Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
- Best Long Form Video: Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead”
- Video for Good: Charli XCX ft. Billie Eilish – “Guess”
- Best Cinematography: Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
- Best Editing: Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching”
- Best Choreography: Doechii – “Anxiety”
- Best Visual Effects: Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
