MTV VMAs 2025: The Moonman Is Still Standing
Article by NOS3 Magazine Team / All Images courtesy of MTV - Paramount - Viacom
The Moon Person night is officially over! On Sunday, September 7, the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, lit up for the 42nd edition of the MTV Video Music Awards, the show that honors the biggest music and video moments of the year.
This year’s ceremony was hosted by the legendary LL Cool J, joined on stage by a star-studded lineup of presenters including Lenny Kravitz, Paris Hilton, Ariana Grande, Ice Spice, Rosé, Megan Stalter, and many more.
It seems that this year’s inspiration was the 80s and 90s, starting with Doja Cat interrupting as Max Headroom, Sabrina Carpenter popping out of a sewer Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle–style to face a group of Drag Race alumni in a Jem and the Holograms-inspired look, and the special awards given to Ricky, Mimi, and Busta.
The stage also saw high-voltage performances from Doja Cat, J Balvin, Lady Gaga, Post Malone, Ricky Martin, and more. One of the highlights was a tribute to heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne, performed by YUNGBLUD and members of Aerosmith.
The big awards
Lady Gaga speaks onstage during the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, NY. Photo MIKE COPPOLA/GETTY IMAGES
The night’s top nominee was Lady Gaga, with 12 nods, followed by Bruno Mars (11) and Kendrick Lamar (10). Sabrina Carpenter also racked up nine, while Rosé, Ariana Grande, and The Weeknd rounded out the frontrunners.
The coveted Video of the Year went to Ariana Grande for “Brighter Days Ahead.” The Artist of the Year was Lady Gaga, beating out Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd. Sabrina Carpenter proved her meteoric rise is no fluke, picking up Album of the Year, while Gaga and Bruno Mars dominated collabs with their smash hit “Die With a Smile.”
Three generations of icons were crowned: Ricky Martin celebrated more than 40 years of career with the Latin Icon Award, Busta Rhymes received the Rock the Bells Visionary Award, and Mariah Carey lit up the arena with a medley of her greatest hits before being honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
Complete Winners List – MTV VMAs 2025
Video of the Year
Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead”
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”
Best Collaboration
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile”
Bailey Zimmerman & Luke Combs – “Backup Plan” (Stagecoach Official Music Video)
Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “Luther”
Post Malone Featuring Blake Shelton – “Pour Me a Drink”
Rosé & Bruno Mars – “Apt.”
Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco – “Sunset Blvd”
Best Pop
Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead”
Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire”
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile”
Rosé & Bruno Mars – “Apt.”
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
Best Album
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos
Kendrick Lamar – GNX
Lady Gaga – Mayhem
Morgan Wallen – I’m the Problem
The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow
MTV Push Performance of the Year
Katseye – “Touch”
Song of the Year
Rosé & Bruno Mars – “Apt.”
Best Afrobeats
Tyla – “Push 2 Start”
Best K-Pop
Lisa Featuring Doja Cat & Raye – “Born Again”
Best Country
Megan Moroney – “Am I Okay?”
Artist of the Year
Lady Gaga
Song of the Summer
Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching”
Best Alternative
Sombr – “Back to Friends”
Best R&B
Mariah Carey – “Type Dangerous”
Best New Artist
Alex Warren
Best Pop Artist
Ariana Grande
Best Hip-Hop
Doechii – “Anxiety”
Best Rock
Coldplay – “All My Love”
Best Latin
Bad Bunny – “Baile Inolvidable”
Best Long Form Video
Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead”
Video for Good
Burna Boy – “Higher”
Best Direction
Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead”
Best Art Direction
Charli XCX – “Guess” ft. Billie Eilish
Best Cinematography
Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead”
Best Editing
Charli XCX – “Guess” ft. Billie Eilish
Best Choreography
Doechii – “Anxiety”
Best Visual Effects
Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead”
Best Group
Aespa
Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award
Mariah Carey
Rock the Bells Visionary Award
Busta Rhymes
Latin Icon Award
Ricky Martin
A night that showed pop still reigns supreme, hip-hop keeps its grip on culture, and the VMAs remain a masterclass in delivering an unforgettable show.
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