The 42nd MTV Video Music Awards took place this past Sunday at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. Hosted by hip-hop legend LL Cool J, the star-studded ceremony was broadcasted live on CBS (its first time on network TV) and simulcast on MTV. The show honored videos and songs released between June 2024 and June 2025, and featured fan-voted categories (including two new ones for Best Country and Best Pop Artist). Lady Gaga led the nominations with 12 and ended up the night’s biggest winner, while pop superstar Ariana Grande and rising star Sabrina Carpenter also scored major prizes. Key categories shook up the history books and produced viral moments, making it one of the most talked-about VMA’s in years

Among the night’s biggest prizes:

• Video of the Year: “Brighter Days Ahead “- Ariana Grande. Ariana took home the biggest award of the night with the short film dedicated to the deluxe version of her Eternal Sunshine album. During her brief acceptance speech Grande thanked her fans “who I love with all my heart,” and humorously urged them to stay focused on their goals, promising “there are brighter days ahead.”
• Artist of the Year: Lady Gaga. Kicking off the show, Gaga accepted the Moon Person for the Artist of the Year, prevailing over fellow nominees Taylor Swift and Beyonce. She dedicated the award to her fans and fiancé Michael Polansky, and spoke movingly about art as a global connector.
• Song of the Year: “APT.” – ROSÉ (of BLACKPINK) and Bruno Mars. This glamorous K-pop/pop collaboration took home Song of the Year. ROSÉ, 28, dedicated the award to her 16-year-old “oddball” self, calling the win a “really big moment” for young dreamers everywhere.
• Best New Artist: Alex Warren. The folk-pop newcomer was named Best New Artist, one of the fan-voted categories. “I’m just the luckiest girl in the world,” Warren said onstage upon receiving the Moon Person.
• Best Album: Short n’ Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter. Carpenter won Best Album for her Short n’ Sweet, calling it “crazy” to have her second Moonman. She used her speech to salute her touring “queens” and the LGBTQ+ community, declaring the “the world is your f***in’ oyster.”
• Best Collaboration: “Die with a Smile” – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars. The Gaga/Mars duet took the collaboration trophy. (Gaga’s four wins – Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration, plus two others – made her the night’s top winner.)
• Best Pop: “Brighter Days Ahead” – Ariana Grande. In addition to Video of the Year, Grande also won for Best Pop, reaffirming her sweep of the pop category for Brighter Days Ahead.
• Best Pop Artist: Sabrina Carpenter. This newly created fan-voted award went to Carpenter, highlighting her breakout success last year.
• Best Country: Megan Moroney – “Am I Okay?” Country star Megan Moroney won the first-ever VMAs Best Country award.
• Best R&B: Mariah Carey – “Type Dangerous.” Carey’s acceptance marked her first-ever VMA win. The pop diva also received the coveted Video Vanguard Award, capping a night of historic first for her.

These wins reflect a mix of established stars and newcomers. Ariana Grande’s Brighter Days Ahead was the clear fan favorite in video categories, while Gaga’s Mayhem album campaign powered her to multiple trophies. Other major nominees – including The Weeknd, Bad Bunny, Ed Sheeran and Billie Eilish – left with less hardware, as fan voting favored the names above.

The ceremony featured a series of dynamic live performances and special tributes. The show opened with LL Cool J’s monologue – humorously interrupted by a televised cameo from 1980s MTV icon Max Headroom – transitioning into a fiery set by Doja Cat. Doja Cat (“Jealous Type”) brought out saxophonist Kenny G for a surprise duet solo, prancing across the stage to raucous applause. Other artist who took the main stage included Post Malone (who performed his country-tinged collaboration “Losers” with Jelly Roll), Conan Gray, Tate McRae (“Revolving Door,” “Sports Car”), and crossover stars J Balvin & DJ Snake, among others.

A highlight was Mariah Carey receiving MTV’s Video Vanguard Award. Grande introduced Carey with a heartfelt tribute, calling her “the soundtrack of our lives” and proclaiming “as a vocalist, there’s only one queen. And that’s Mariah.” Carey then delivered a career-spanning medley – from “Fantasy” through “We Belong Together” – dressed in flowing gold (even quipping mid-set, “I can’t believe I’m getting my first VMA tonight. What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?”). The performance nostalgically celebrated The Emancipation of Mimi era, marking the 20th anniversary of that landmark album.

The event also paid tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne, who has passed away in July. A pre-recorded message from Ozzy’s son Jack Osbourne and Ozzy’s children (all wearing Ozzy t-shirts) introduced the segment. Onstage, rock legends Steven Tyler and Joe Perry (Aerosmith) teamed with British rocker YUNGBLUD and guitarist Nuno Bettencourt in a high-energy medley of Black Sabbath classics including “Crazy Train,” “Mama, I’m Coming Home” and “Changes” – as footage of Ozzy’s life played behind them. The tribute ended with the performers and crowd chanting “Ozzy forever, man!”

Hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes was honored with the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award. LL Cool J presented Busta with the golden Moon Person, and Busta launched into a career-spanning rap medley (“Break Ya Neck,” “Pass the Courvoisier,” etc.) backed by collaborators Joyner Lucas, Papoose and GloRilla. During his acceptance speech, Busta paid tribute to MTV alum Ananda Lewis (his longtime friend, who died in June), calling her the “Royal Empress” of their community.

Latin pop veteran Ricky Martin also received a special honor; the first-ever Latin Icon Award. His electrifying set celebrated four decades in music (and the 25th anniversary of his VMAs breakthrough in 1999). Martin closed the night with hits like “Livin’ la Vida Loca” and María,” dedicating the award to his four children and remarking, “I started when I was a baby…. and we’re still here.”

The VMA this year delivered plenty of viral-worthy moments. Ariana Grande’s acceptance of her awards generated buzz; she gratefully thanked her father (who acted in her award-winning video) and signed off by advising fans: “Keep focused on that end goal. If you’re on that journey, please continue onward, because I promise there are brighter days ahead.” Earlier, when she presented Mariah’s Vanguard award, Grande effusively hailed Carey as the one “vocal queen” of her life. Notably, Grande’s own acceptance for Best Pop included the now-viral line thanking “my therapist and gay people” for their support, which quickly trended on social media.

Lady Gaga used her Artist of the Year speech to articulate her philosophy of artistry. She declared that “being an artist is an attempt to connect the souls of people all over the world” and spoke of art as a discipline that helps others “smile, dance, cry.” In contrast to these heartfelt moments, Sabrina Carpenter’s acceptance for Best Album was playful and irreverent; shouting out her performing partners as “my queens” and assuring them that “the world is your f***in’ oyster” prompting the crowd (and Ariana Grande in the audience) to erupt in cheers.

Other notable speeches included ROSÉ (of BLACKPINK) dedicating her Song of the Year win to young dreamers, and two record-related announcements. In a historic sidebar, it was noted that Beyoncé and Taylor Swift remained tied at 30 VMAs each, as Gaga’s win for Artist of the Year prevented either from surpassing the other.

This year’s Video Music Awards featured several milestones. Not only did Mariah Carey capture her first Moon Person ever; asking onstage, “What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?” when accepting her award; but the ceremony debuted two new Moon Person categories. Megan Moroney became the first-ever Best Country artist winner, Sabrina Carpenter too home the Inaugural Best Pop Artist Moon Person. Additional, Ricky Martin’s Latin Icon Award coincided with 25 year since his own breakout at the 1999 VMAs, marking a quarter-century of Latin music influence on MTV.

Overall, the 2025 VMAs balanced crowd-pleasing pop moments with heartfelt tributes and record-breaking achievements. Between Gaga’s Gothic gown for Artist of the Year and the many iconic performances set pieces, the night lived up to the VMA’s legacy of memorable and buzzworthy entertainment. Fans were left buzzing about the show’s mix of surprise cameos, poignant speeches and fan-voted winners as highlights of the year in music video.

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)
• Ella Langley
• Gigi Perez
• Lola Young
• sombr
• The Marías

Best Pop Artist

• Sabrina Carpenter (Winner)
• Ariana Grande
• Charli XCX
• Justin Bieber
• Lorde
• Miley Cyrus
• Tate McRae

MTV Push Performance of the Year (presented by Bacardi)

• Aug 2024 – Shaboozey – “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
• Sept 2024 – Ayra Starr – “Last Heartbreak Song”
• Oct 2024 – Mark Ambor – “Belong Together”
• Nov 2024 – Lay Bankz – “Graveyard”
• Dec 2024 – Dasha – “Bye Bye Bye”
• Jan 2025 – Katseye – “Touch” (Winner)
• Feb 2025 – Jordan Adetunji – “Kehlani”
• Mar 2025 – Leon Thomas – “Yes It Is”
• Apr 2025 – Livingston – “Shadow”
• May 2025 – Damiano David – “Next Summer”
• Jun 2025 – Gigi Perez – “Sailor Song”
• Jul 2025 – Role Model – “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out”

Best Pop

• Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead” (Winner)
• Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
• Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire”
• Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile”
• ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.”
• Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”

Best Hip-Hop

• Doechii – “Anxiety” (Winner)
• Drake – “NOKIA”
• Eminem ft. Jelly Roll – “Somebody Save Me”
• GloRilla ft. Sexxy Red – “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME”
• Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
• LL Cool J ft. Eminem – “Murdergram Deux”
• Travis Scott – “4X4”

Best R&B

• Mariah Carey – “Type Dangerous” (Winner)
• Chris Brown – “Residuals”
• Leon Thomas & Freddie Gibbs – “MUTT (Remix)”
• PARTYNEXTDOOR – “No Chill”
• Summer Walker – “Heart of a Woman”
• SZA – “Drive”
• The Weeknd & Playboi Carti – “Timeless”

Best Alternative

• sombr – “back to friends” (Winner)
• Gigi Perez – “Sailor Song”
• Imagine Dragons – “Wake Up”
• Lola Young – “Messy”
• mgk & Jelly Roll – “Lonely Road”
• The Marías – “Back To Me”

Best Rock

• Coldplay – “All My Love” (Winner)
• Evanescence – “Afterlife (from the Netflix series Devil May Cry)”
• Green Day – “One Eyed Bastard”
• Lenny Kravitz – “Honey”
• Linkin Park – “The Emptiness Machine”
• twenty one pilots – “The Contract”

Best Latin

• Shakira – “Soltera” (Winner)
• Bad Bunny – “BAILE INoLVIDABLE”
• J Balvin – “Rio”
• KAROL G – “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”
• Peso Pluma – “LA PATRULLA”
• Rauw Alejandro & Romeo Santos – “Khe?”

Best K-Pop

• LISA ft. Doja Cat & RAYE – “Born Again” (Winner)
• aespa – “Whiplash”
• JENNIE – “like JENNIE”
• Jimin – “Who”
• JISOO – “earthquake”
• Stray Kids – “Chk Chk Boom”
• ROSÉ – “toxic til the end”

Best Afrobeats

• Tyla – “PUSH 2 START” (Winner)
• Asake & Travis Scott – “Active”
• Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott – “TaTaTa”
• Moily, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Sheneesa “Shake It To The Max (FLY) (Remix)”
• Rema – “Baby (Is It a Crime)”
• Tems ft. Asake – “Get It Right”
• Wizkid ft. Brent Faiyaz – “Piece of My Heart”

Best Country

• Megan Moroney – “Am I Okay?” (Winner)
• Chris Stapleton – “Think I’m in Love With You”
• Cody Johnson & Carrie Underwood – “I’m Gonna Love You”
• Jelly Roll – “Liar”
• Lainey Wilson – “4x4xU”
• Morgan Wallen – “Smile”

Best Album

• Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet (Winner)
• Bad Bunny – DeBí Tirar Más Fotos
• Kendrick Lamar – GNX
• Lady Gaga – Mayhem
• Morgan Wallen – I’m the Problem
• The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow

Best Long Form Video

• Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead” (Short film) (Winner)
• Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos (Short Film)
• Damian David – FUNNY little STORIES
• Mac Miller – Balloonerism
• Miley Cyrus – Something Beautiful
• The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow

Video for Good

• Charli XCX ft. Billie Eilish – “Guess” (Winner)
• 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”

Best Direction

• Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” (Winner)
• Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead”
• Charli XCX ft. Billie Eilish – “Guess”
• Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
• ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.”
• Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”

Best Art Direction

• Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – (Winner)
• Charli XCX ft. Billie Eilish – “Guess”
• Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
• Lorde – “Man of the Year”
• Miley Cyrus – “End of the World”
• ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.”

Best Cinematography

• Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” (Winner)
• 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)” (Winner)
• Charli XCX ft. Billie Eilish – “Guess”
• Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire”
• Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
• Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
• Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”

Best Choreography

• Doechii – “Anxiety” (Winner)
• 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” (Winner)
• Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead”
• Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
• ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.”
• Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching (from F1® The Movie)”
• The Weeknd – “Hurry Up Tomorrow”

Special Awards

• Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award – Mariah Carey (Lifetime Achievement)
• Rock the Bells Visionary Award – Busta Rhymes
• Latin Icon Award – Ricky Martin