The MTV Video Music Awards have always been a spectacle—equal parts musical celebration and fashion runway, with a dash of pop culture history thrown in for good measure. This year’s 41st annual ceremony, held on September 7, 2025, at New York’s UBS Arena, was no exception. The 2025 VMAs delivered a night brimming with career-defining performances, emotional tributes, and boundary-pushing style, securing its place as one of the most memorable editions in recent memory.
From the moment LL Cool J kicked off the show—his charisma setting the tone for the evening—it was clear that the VMAs would be full of surprises. According to CBS, which broadcast the ceremony for the first time, the night’s biggest winner was Lady Gaga, who took home four Moon Person trophies, including the coveted Artist of the Year. Gaga, ever the showstopper, later electrified the UBS Arena with performances of “Abracadabra” and “The Dead Dance,” the latter tied to the Netflix series “Wednesday.” Her acceptance speech struck a chord with viewers and artists alike. “Being an artist is an attempt to connect the souls of people all over the world,” Gaga said, dedicating her win to her fans and her fiancé, Michael Polansky, who co-executive produced her latest album, “Mayhem.” She added, “Creating with you has been a beautiful thing.”
But Gaga wasn’t the only star shining bright. Ariana Grande had the audience buzzing, nabbing both Video of the Year and Best Pop Video. She didn’t shy away from heartfelt gratitude during her acceptance speech, thanking “my therapists and gay people,” a moment that quickly went viral. Grande, who attended the event in a polka-dot Fendi dress, also stood out for her warmth and candor—reminding everyone why she’s become such a beloved figure in pop music.
Sabrina Carpenter proved she’s a force to be reckoned with, matching Grande’s three Moon Person wins. Carpenter entered the night with eight nominations for her hit “Manchild” and her album “Short n Sweet,” and her fashion choices were as bold as her music. On the red carpet, she dazzled in a custom red lace Valentina gown with a lavender fur stole, before changing into a sparkling mini dress for her performance. As reported by NBC News, Carpenter’s look—alongside Grande’s—brought to mind “two high-school BFFs posing in their finery at a big school dance.”
The night wasn’t just about new faces and current chart-toppers. Mariah Carey, a true icon, was honored with the Video Vanguard Award for her outstanding contributions to music videos and popular culture. Grande introduced Carey with a heartfelt tribute, calling her “the soundtrack of our lives” and declaring, “As a vocalist, there’s only one queen. And that’s Mariah.” Carey’s performance was a showstopper, featuring a medley of hits from “Fantasy” to “We Belong Together” and “Obsessed.” She even joked about her first-ever VMA win, quipping, “I have one question: What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for? I’m just kidding. Thank you. I love you.” The performance also celebrated the 20th anniversary of her landmark album “The Emancipation of Mimi.”
Another emotional highlight came with the tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne. Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, alongside YUNGBLUD and Nuno Bettencourt, delivered a raucous medley of Osbourne’s classics, including “Crazy Train,” “Changes,” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” Osbourne’s son Jack and his children appeared in a video message, reflecting on the legendary rocker’s impact. “I know for sure it would make him incredibly happy to see these great musicians carry on his legacy and help inspire the next generation of rockers,” Jack Osbourne said. The tribute ended with Osbourne’s grandkids invoking his signature rallying cry: “Let’s go crazy.”
The VMAs also recognized those who’ve shaped music in unexpected ways. Busta Rhymes received the first-ever MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award, performing a medley of his hits with help from Joyner Lucas, Papoose, and GloRilla. During his speech, Rhymes paid an emotional tribute to the late Ananda Lewis, the beloved MTV and BET host who passed away in June after a battle with breast cancer. “An incredible woman that loved me and she loved us,” Rhymes said. “She loved the culture very much. I miss her very much. The late, great, incredible Royal Empress, Ananda Lewis.”
Ricky Martin, meanwhile, was honored as the first-ever recipient of the Latin Icon Award. His performance marked 26 years since his groundbreaking VMAs debut, when he became the first male Latin artist to win Best Pop Video. Martin dedicated the award to his four children, reflecting on his journey: “I started when I was a baby working and we’re still here. We just want to unite countries, we just want to break boundaries, and we just want to keep music alive.”
Doja Cat, never one to shy away from spectacle, kicked off the show with a performance of “Jealous Type” that had the crowd roaring. Her red carpet look—a harlequin-print mini dress by Balmain—was a nod to both the 1980s and Dolly Parton, as she told The New York Times. The night’s fashion, as always, was a conversation starter. From feathered boas and bedazzled coffee cups to bold, lacy gowns and puffer coats, the VMAs red carpet was a playground for self-expression. Audrey Nuna’s poofy coat and bowlike braids, Sombr’s embroidered Valentino jacket, and Rosé’s white dress with safety pin detailing all turned heads. Even a Labubu doll dressed as a Moon Person statuette made an appearance, courtesy of designer Marko Monroe.
The VMAs have long been a launchpad for rising stars, and this year was no different. Newcomers like Alex Warren, who won Best New Artist, and established names like Bruno Mars and Tate McRae—each taking home two awards—shared the stage in a testament to the show’s enduring influence. As The New York Times noted, “Their nature as a showcase for rising talent makes the V.M.A.s a reliable venue for fresh faces—and for the types of fun and freaky fashion risks that people young and old might avoid at more traditional award shows.”
As the night wore on, the celebration spilled over into after-parties, with attendees like Tate McRae, Olandria Carthen, The Kid Laroi, and FKA Twigs continuing the festivities in style. The 2025 MTV VMAs proved that while the way we watch music videos may have changed—more online than on TV these days—the power of music, performance, and self-expression remains as vital as ever. And, as always, the VMAs offered a night where anything could happen—and often did.
In a year filled with both nostalgia and fresh energy, the 2025 VMAs reminded everyone why this event still matters: it’s where legends are honored, new stars are born, and the boundaries of music and fashion are pushed just a little further.
