VMAs: Fashion, Power & Unforgettable Moments
The MTV Video Music Awards are never just about music, they’re about spectacle, self-expression, and those moments that instantly live rent-free in pop culture. On Sunday night, the UBS Arena in New York lit up with bold red-carpet statements, powerful performances, and a historic celebration of women at the center of it all.
Gaga made history with four wins, surpassing Madonna on the all-time | Photo: Christopher Polk - Getty Images
Fashion brought pure drama. FKA Twigs showed up with braids sculpted into headphones, Tate McRae floated in a sheer chiffon dream, and Doja Cat stole the spotlight with ‘80s glam — only to bite into a lipstick-shaped clutch that turned out to be edible chocolate. Sabrina Carpenter mixed elegance with a lilac showgirl boa, while Tyla reworked archival Chanel into a minidress with Gen Z confidence. Every look seemed designed to remind us: the VMAs are fashion’s wildest playground.
A triple win + a showgirl twist: Sabrina Carpenter owned the stage and the red carpet. | Photo Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV
Beyond style, women dominated the awards. Lady Gaga claimed four trophies, including Artist of the Year, surpassing Madonna in total wins and cementing her legacy as one of the show’s all-time greats. Ariana Grande walked away with the biggest honor of the night, Video of the Year for Brighter Days Ahead, while Carpenter scored Album of the Year with Short n’ Sweet. Doechii, Mariah Carey, Tyla, Shakira, Megan Moroney and more made the night one of the most female-driven in VMAs history, with women taking home 22 of 30 awards.
When fashion becomes performance art: Doja Cat’s viral chocolate lipstick moment. | Photo Jamie McCarthy/WireImage
And then there was Sabrina Carpenter’s defining moment on stage. Performing her hit Tears in the rain alongside drag queens and trans performers, Carpenter used the spotlight to advocate for trans rights. Accepting her Best Album award, she addressed the crowd: “This world, as we all know, can be so full of criticism and discrimination and negativity. So to get to be part of something that can bring light, make you smile, make you dance, and make you feel like the world is your f***ing oyster… I’m so grateful to do that.” It was a speech that turned her win into something larger — a statement of inclusion and joy.
KA Twigs close-up con las trenzas-auriculares.
Caption: Avant-garde or wearable art? FKA Twigs made the red carpet her own runway.
Avant-garde or wearable art? FKA Twigs made the red carpet her own runway | Photo Catherine Powell / Getty Images for MTV
By the time the confetti fell, it was clear: the 2025 VMAs weren’t just another award show. They were a reminder that pop culture thrives on fearless fashion, boundary-pushing performances, and the power of women who aren’t afraid to own the spotlight.