2025 MTV Video Music Awards VMAs Winners Full List

What happened at the Video Music Awards?

The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) have long been a cornerstone of pop culture, known for their outrageous performances, boundary-pushing fashion, and moments that define eras in music. On September 7, 2025, the 42nd annual ceremony returned to New York’s UBS Arena in Elmont, Long Island, for a three-hour extravaganza that aired live starting at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) on CBS, MTV, and Paramount+—marking the first time the event broadcast on the major network CBS.

Hosted by hip-hop legend LL Cool J in his second stint as emcee (and first solo since 1995), the show honored the best music videos and songs released between June 20, 2024, and June 18, 2025. But while the VMAs traditionally explode with high-energy drama and A-list glamour, this year’s edition felt relatively subdued, with a heavy emphasis on female pop artists, legacy honorees, and global genre blends. Absent were many of the night’s top nominees, including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, and Bruno Mars, leading to a ceremony that critics described as “light on star power” yet rich in emotional depth and social commentary.

The event’s purpose remains as vibrant as ever: to celebrate the art of the music video, a medium MTV pioneered since its launch in 1981. This year’s theme leaned into “Music’s Most Iconic Night,” highlighting evolution in pop, from trauma-healing anthems to country-infused bangers. New categories like Best Pop Artist and Best Country Video were introduced, voted on by fans, reflecting the shifting landscape of music consumption. With 33 first-time nominees—including BLACKPINK’s JISOO and JENNIE, BTS’s Jimin, and TikTok sensations like Alex Warren—the VMAs underscored the democratization of fame through social media. However, the night’s muted vibe sparked discussions online, with some X users calling it a “legacy-heavy snoozefest” amid broader industry fatigue post-pandemic touring schedules.

Lights, Camera, Glamour! iKON Awards 2025 Winners Shine

The VMAs Host and Venue: LL Cool J Takes the Stage at UBS Arena

LL Cool J, the Grammy-winning rapper and actor, commanded the evening with his signature charisma, though much of his hosting was off-screen to keep the focus on performances and awards. Dressed in a sharp houndstooth coat, brown trousers, and a signature hat accessorized with Jacob & Co. jewelry, LL Cool J likened the gig to being a “middle school crossing guard,” herding the night’s eclectic energy. This was his return after co-hosting in 2022 with Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow, and he presented the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award to fellow hip-hop pioneer Busta Rhymes, calling him the “sonic equivalent of a timebomb.”

The UBS Arena, a state-of-the-art venue on Long Island that hosted the VMAs for the second consecutive year, provided a sleek backdrop with its 17,250 capacity. The choice of location—away from the chaos of Manhattan—allowed for a more controlled, intimate feel, though it drew mixed reactions for lacking the urban grit of past NYC shows at Radio City Music Hall or Madison Square Garden. Pre-show hosts Nessa and Kevan Kenney kicked things off on MTV with fan-voted categories, setting a lively tone before the main broadcast.

MTV Video Music Awards Carpet Highlights

The red carpet, starting around 5 p.m. ET, was a feast of daring ensembles, true to VMA tradition where underwear-as-outerwear and avant-garde statements reign supreme. Despite the star-studded potential, absences loomed large: Taylor Swift (nominated for Artist of the Year), Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, and Bruno Mars skipped entirely, citing tour commitments or privacy. Lady Gaga made a brief appearance before dashing to her Mayhem Ball Tour finale at Madison Square Garden, while Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter stole the spotlight.

Sabrina Carpenter, fresh off her Man’s Best Friend era, turned heads in a custom Valentino semi-sheer gown with a red floral sequin pattern, paired with a lilac boa, Tiffany & Co. jewelry, and her iconic voluminous curls—styled by Jared Ellner. The look blended fall florals with VMA sex appeal, earning praise for its winner-ready glamour. Ariana Grande arrived in a custom black-and-white Fendi peplum dress inspired by a 1980s Silvia Venturini silhouette, complete with Swarovski accessories and polka dots, channeling ethereal pop princess vibes while nodding to her eight nominations.

Doja Cat brought theatrical flair in an embellished Balmain mini dress from the Pre-Fall 2024 collection, accessorized with Chopard Haute Joaillerie gems, sky-high Pleaser shoes, and a Judith Lieber bedazzled lipstick clutch. In a viral moment, she applied bright red lipstick on the carpet—then playfully “ate” it, teasing her upcoming album Vie and its ’80s influences. Tyla, the South African sensation who won Best Afrobeats, opted for a 1993 archival Chanel tweed mini dress with heaps of Pandora gold jewelry, emphasizing movement for her dance-heavy style. Ice Spice debuted a cooler, more mature look in a strapless Ralph Lauren bustier with a patchwork skirt, signaling her evolution beyond signature red curls.

Other standouts included Katseye’s coordinated Dolce & Gabbana corsetry, allowing each member’s personality to shine—Sophia Laforteza in bold red, Megan Skiendiel in pastel blue; Tate McRae in a sheer white Grecian gown exposing undergarments; Ciara in an oversize Schiaparelli cowl-neck with zipper details and PVC sandals; Jessica Simpson in a skin-baring dress for her return after 19 years; Ashlee Simpson Ross in a black cutout top with frayed asymmetrical hem; and Ricky Martin in a plunging top with wide-leg pants, fitting his Latin Icon honor.

Drag star Symone channeled Fran Fine from The Nanny in a quilted pastel Balmain mini, while presenters like Paris Hilton (in a sparkling mini) and GloRilla (bold streetwear) added edge. LL Cool J and wife Simone I. Smith twinned in coordinated neutrals, exuding couple goals.

Fashion critiques highlighted a trend toward “underwear as outerwear” and facial hair surprises (e.g., Conan Gray’s mustache), but the carpet felt less crowded than in past years, amplifying the “muted” narrative.

Who performed at MTV Video Music Awards 2025?

The night’s performances spanned pop, hip-hop, Latin, and rock, with 17 acts across the main stage and Extended Play Stage (presented by Doritos). KATSEYE opened the pre-show with their hit “Gnarly,” the multinational girl group (members from Philippines, South Korea, Switzerland, US) showcasing synchronized choreography.

Sabrina Carpenter delivered a retro-themed rendition of “Tears,” backed by RuPaul’s Drag Race stars and ballroom icons holding trans rights signs—a powerful statement amid ongoing debates. Doja Cat debuted “Jealous Type” from her forthcoming Vie album in an ’80s-inspired spectacle. Tate McRae performed “Just Keep Watching” from F1 The Movie, earning cheers for her editing win. Alex Warren, Best New Artist winner, brought emotional depth with “Eternity” and “Ordinary,” surrounded by backup singers on a green stage.

Legacy acts shone: Mariah Carey performed a medley of hits like “Vision of Love” and “Hero” before her Video Vanguard acceptance. Ricky Martin medleyed “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” “Pégate,” “Maria,” and “The Cup of Life,” dedicating it to fans. Busta Rhymes powered through a bleep-heavy medley with GloRilla, Spliff Star, and Joyner Lucas, joking about the 35-year wait for his award and honoring late MTV host Ananda Lewis.

Global flair came from J Balvin, DJ Snake, Justin Quiles, and Lenny Tavárez with “Zun Zun” and “Noventa”; Post Malone and Jelly Roll beamed in from Munich for the country-pop “Losers.” Conan Gray debuted “Vodka Cranberry” from Wishbone, introduced by KATSEYE. Sombr made his awards show debut with “Back to Friends.” Extended Play featured Bailey Zimmerman and The Kid LAROI (“Lost”), Lola Young (“Messy”), and Megan Moroney.

Lady Gaga’s set was broadcast live from MSG: “Abracadabra” and “The Dead Dance,” tying into her wins. The emotional peak was the Ozzy Osbourne tribute—following his July 2025 death at 76—with Yungblud on “Crazy Train” and “Changes,” joined by Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry for “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” plus Nuno Bettencourt. Ozzy’s son and grandchildren introduced it with “Let’s go crazy!”

Winners and Nominees: Lady Gaga Dominates, Female Artists Triumph

Lady Gaga led with 12 nominations and four wins, solidifying her as the night’s queen. The ceremony handed out only seven awards on-air (all to women or female collaborations), with others pre-announced. Here’s the full list:

General Categories (Fan-Voted)

• Video of the Year: Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead” (Nominees: 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 ft. Playboi Carti – “Timeless”)
• Artist of the Year: Lady Gaga (Nominees: Bad Bunny; Beyoncé; Kendrick Lamar; Morgan Wallen; Taylor Swift; The Weeknd)
• Song of the Year: Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.” (Nominees: Not fully detailed, but included Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile”; others like Kendrick Lamar tracks)
• Best Collaboration: Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile” (Nominees: Bailey Zimmerman ft. Luke Combs – “Backup Plan”; Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “Luther”; Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton – “Pour Me a Drink”; Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.”; Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco – “Sunset Blvd”)
• Album of the Year: Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet (Nominees: Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos; Kendrick Lamar – GNX; Lady Gaga – Mayhem; Morgan Wallen – I’m the Problem; The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow)
• Best Pop Artist (New Category): Sabrina Carpenter (Nominees: Ariana Grande; Charli XCX; Justin Bieber; Lorde; Miley Cyrus; Tate McRae)
• Best Pop Video: Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead” (Nominees: Alex Warren – “Ordinary”; Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire”; Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile”; Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.”; Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”)
• Best New Artist: Alex Warren (Nominees: Not detailed, but included Lola Young, Gigi Perez, etc.)
• Best Country (New Category): Megan Moroney (Nominees: Shaboozey, Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton, etc.)
• Best R&B: Mariah Carey – “Type” (Nominees: Not specified)
• Best Afrobeats: Tyla – “PUSH 2 START” (Nominees: Burna Boy, etc.)
• MTV Push Performance of the Year: KATSEYE – “Touch” (Nominees: Ayra Starr – “Last Heartbreak Song”; Damiano David – “Next Summer”; Dasha – “Bye Bye Bye”; Gigi Perez – “Sailor Song”; Jordan Adetunji – “KEHLANI”; Lay Bankz – “Graveyard”; Leon Thomas – “Yes It Is”; Livingston – “Shadow”; Mark Ambor – “Belong Together”; Role Model – “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out”; Shaboozey – “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”)

Technical Categories (Industry-Voted)

• Best Direction: Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” (Nominees: Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead”; Charli XCX – “Guess” ft. Billie Eilish; Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”; Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.”)
• Best Cinematography: Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” (Nominees: Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead”; Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire”; Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”; Miley Cyrus – “Easy Lover”; Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”)
• Best Editing: Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching (From F1® the Movie)” (Nominees: Charli XCX – “Guess” ft. Billie Eilish; Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire”; Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”; Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”; Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”)
• Best Choreography: Doechii – “Anxiety” (Nominees: FKA twigs – “Eusexua”; Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”; Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”; Tyla – “Push 2 Start”; Zara Larsson – “Pretty Ugly”)
• Best Visual Effects: Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” (Nominees: Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead”; Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”; Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.”; Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching”; The Weeknd – “Hurry Up Tomorrow”)
• Best Art Direction: Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” (Nominees: Charli XCX – “Guess” ft. Billie Eilish; Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”; Lorde – “Man of the Year”; Miley Cyrus – “End of the World”; Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.”)
• Best Long Form Video: Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead” (Nominees: Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos (Short Film); Damiano David – Funny Little Stories; Mac Miller – Balloonerism; Miley Cyrus – Something Beautiful; The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow)
• Video for Good: Charli XCX – “Guess” ft. Billie Eilish (Nominees: Burna Boy – “Higher”; Doechii – “Anxiety”; Eminem ft. Jelly Roll – “Somebody Save Me”; Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco – “Younger and Hotter Than Me”; Zach Hood ft. Sasha Alex Sloan – “Sleepwalking”)

Other categories like Best Hip-Hop, Best Rock, Best Alternative, Best Latin, and Best Group were announced pre-show or online, with winners including Eminem ft. Jelly Roll for Hip-Hop and BLACKPINK for Group.

Special Awards and Tributes: Honoring Icons and Remembering Ozzy

The VMAs introduced two new lifetime honors: Ricky Martin as the inaugural Latin Icon, crediting fans for his 40-year career; Busta Rhymes for Rock the Bells Visionary, thanking family and the late Ananda Lewis; and Mariah Carey for Video Vanguard (her first VMA after 30+ years), presented by Ariana Grande. Carey quipped, “What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?” before a medley emphasizing music videos as “eternal fun.”

The Ozzy Osbourne tribute was a highlight, blending Black Sabbath classics with emotional weight, introduced by his family.

Notable Moments and Speeches: Healing, Equality, and Legacy

Ariana Grande’s Video of the Year speech focused on trauma healing: “This project is about… creating safety in our own lives, a lifelong process.” Rosé’s emotional Song of the Year acceptance: “This is a really big moment for 16-year-old me and anyone who has dreamed about being accepted equally.” Gaga dedicated Artist of the Year to her partner Michael Polansky and fans: “Navigate through the mayhem… count on yourself.”

Sabrina Carpenter’s trans rights performance sparked praise, while the show’s female skew (all on-air winners women or female-led) celebrated empowerment. No major controversies emerged, but the “muted” feel—due to absences and only seven live awards—drew X buzz, with some calling it a “return to roots” amid industry burnout.

Who Lost? The Snubs and Surprises

Heavy hitters like Kendrick Lamar (10 nods, won only Cinematography), Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, and The Weeknd went home empty-handed in major categories. Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Bad Bunny lost Artist of the Year to Gaga. Bruno Mars’ solo nods faltered, though collaborations triumphed. Surprises included KATSEYE’s Push win and Doechii’s Choreography upset over Tyla.

In a year of reflection, the 2025 VMAs reminded us that music’s power lies in vulnerability and legacy, even in quieter moments. As LL Cool J closed, “The art of your life—keep it whole.”