The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards brought a night of star power, historic wins, and unforgettable performances on September 7 at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. The show, hosted by LL Cool J, aired live on CBS for the first time, with simulcasts on MTV and streaming through Paramount+.
Before the main ceremony, Nessa and Kevan Kenney led the red carpet pre-show, airing across multiple Paramount Global networks.
Lady Gaga emerged as the evening’s biggest winner, taking home Best Direction, Best Collaboration, and Artist of the Year while leading with 12 nominations. ROSÉ and Bruno Mars scored Song of the Year for their hit collaboration “APT,” a track that has dominated global charts. Just like last year, Lisa took home the Best K-pop award for her collaboration with Raye and Doja Cat, “Born Again,” her third win in this category.
Ariana Grande took home three awards, while BLACKPINK secured the coveted Best Group trophy after an intense competition with Stray Kids.
Another major highlight came when Mariah Carey received the prestigious Video Vanguard Award. The legendary singer celebrated the honor with a medley of career-defining hits, including “We Belong Together” and “Always Be My Baby,” earning one of the night’s loudest ovations.
2025 MTV VMAs also paid tribute to icons across genres. Busta Rhymes was presented with the Rock the Bells Visionary Award in recognition of his impact on hip-hop, while Ricky Martin was celebrated as the first recipient of the Latin Icon Award.
Performances throughout the night kept the energy high. Alongside Carey’s emotional set, Busta Rhymes delivered a high-powered tribute to hip-hop’s legacy. Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae, and Post Malone also hit the stage with standout acts. The night took a reflective turn with a tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne, featuring Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, YUNGBLUD, and Nuno Bettencourt.
The evening also featured a star-studded lineup of presenters, including Ciara, Drew Barrymore, Ice Spice, Paris Hilton, and the fictional K-pop group HUNTR/X.
For fans who missed the live broadcast, the full ceremony is now available to stream on Paramount+, with highlights and performances posted across MTV’s official platforms.
MTV VMAs 2025 Winners
Below is the full list of 2025 MTV VMAs winners.
Song of the Year
- Rosé and Bruno Mars (“APT.”)
Artist of the Year
- Lady Gaga
Video of the Year
- Ariana Grande (“brighter days ahead”)
Song of the Summer
- Tate McRae (“Just Keep Watching” from “F1 The Movie”)
Best Album
- Sabrina Carpenter (“Short n’ Sweet”)
Best Pop
- Ariana Grande (“brighter days ahead”)
Best New Artist
- Alex Warren
Best Collaboration
- Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga (“Die With a Smile”)
Best Group
- BLACKPINK
Push Performance of the Year
- KATSEYE (“Touch”)
Best Afrobeats
- Tyla (“PUSH 2 START”)
Best K-Pop
- Lisa (“Born Again” ft. Raye and Doja Cat)
Best County
- Megan Moroney (“Am I Okay”)
Best Alternative Winner
- sombr (“Back to Friends”)
Best R&B
- Mariah Carey (“Type Dangerous”)
Best Pop Artist
- Sabrina Carpenter
Best Hip-Hop
- Doechii (“Anxiety”)
Best Rock
- Coldplay (“All My Love”)
Best Latin
- Shakira (“Soltera”)
Best Long Form Video
- Ariana Grande (“brighter days ahead”)
Video for Good
- Charli XCX “(Guess ft. Billie Eilish”)
Best Direction
- Lady Gaga (“Abracadabra”)
Best Cinematography
- Kendrick Lamar (“Not Like Us”)
Best Visual Effects
- Sabrina Carpenter (“Manchild”)
Best Editing
- Tate McRae (“Just Keep Watching”)
Video Vanguard
- Mariah carey
Latin Icon
- Ricky Martin
The Bells Visionary
- Busta Rhymes
Congratulations to the MTV Video Music Awards 2025 winners!
