MTV VMAs: Full Winners List Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande, Rosé and Bruno Mars were among the winners at the 2025 ceremony.
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Lady Gaga kicked off the MTV Video Music Awards with a win for artist of the year, immediately setting the night’s tone.
The show’s top nominee promised a performance later and delivered, hitting the stage at Madison Square Garden after her acceptance speech, which sent the audience into a frenzy at the UBS Arena where the VMAs were being held.
In her earlier remarks, Gaga stressed the deeper meaning of artistry.
“Being an artist is an attempt to connect the souls of people all over the world,” said Gaga, who later performed “Abracadabra” and “The Dead Dance,” a single from the Netflix series “Wednesday.” “Being an artist is a discipline and craft into reaching someone’s heart where it grows its roots, reminding them to dream. Being an artist is a responsibility to smile, dance, and cry.”
She dedicated the award to her fans and paid homage to her fiancé, Michael Polansky, who co-executive produced her latest album, “Mayhem.”
“Creating with you has been a beautiful thing,” she said.
Mariah Carey basked in the love of her fans and reflected on her storied career as she accepted the Video Vanguard Award. Ariana Grande presented the honor with a heartfelt tribute, calling Carey “the soundtrack of our lives.”
Grande then added,“As a vocalist, there’s only one queen. And that’s Mariah.”
While taking the stage in a satin gold robe that gave way to a glittering bodysuit and matching heels, Carey delivered a career-spanning medley of hits from “Fantasy” to “We Belong Together” to “Obsessed.” The performance also spotlighted tracks from her landmark 10th album, “The Emancipation of Mimi,” which recently turned 20.
“I can’t believe I’m getting my first VMA tonight,” Carey said before she jokingly asked. “I have one question: What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for? I’m just kidding. Thank you. I love you.”
The l ate Ozzy Osbourne was celebrated in fitting fashion when some of rock’s biggest names took the stage in his honor. Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, British firebrand YUNGBLUD, and Nuno Bettencourt united to deliver a medley of Osbourne’s greatest hits, including “Crazy Train,” “Changes,” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home.”
Osbourne’s son, Jack and several of his children, shared a video message to viewers about the beloved musician.
“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.
“In the words of our papa, ‘Let’s go crazy,’” Ozzy Osbourne’s grandkids added, referring to his popular song “Crazy Train.”
Osbourne became a household name on MTV — also the home of the VMAs — with his family’s hit reality series “The Osbournes,” which ran from 2002 to 2005. That same year, the Prince of Darkness cemented his legacy with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
As the tribute ended, the performers yelled “Ozzy forever, man.!”
Ricky Martin received the first-ever Latin Icon Award following an electric performance on the main stage. He spoke about his 40-year career in music, dedicating the award to his four kids.
Martin’s set served as an anniversary tribute, coming 25 years after his breakout VMAs debut in 1999, when he made history as the first male Latin artist to win best pop video.
“I started when I was a baby working, and we’re still here,” he marveled, adding: “We just want to unite countries, we just want to break boundaries, and we just want to keep music alive.”
The VMAs, hosted by LL Cool J, kicked off with a freewheeling spirit. During Cool J’s opening monologue, a video of Doja Cat mimicking ’80s MTV personality Max Headroom interrupted him. Her message transitioned seamlessly into a performance that kicked off with a solo by Kenny G.
Doja Cat, who was seen casually chewing on her lipstick on the red carpet, pranced across the stage performing “Jealous Type” to raucous applause.
Going into the show, history was on the line with Taylor Swift and Beyoncé vying to become the most awarded artist in VMAs history. Each has 30 and were only nominated in the artist of the year category, so Gaga’s win will leave them tied for another year.
Busta Rhymes received the first ever MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award during the show and performed a medley of his hits.
Other performers included Conan Gray, Tate McRae, Jelly Roll, Post Malone, Alex Warren, J Balvin, Sabrina Carpenter, and sombr.
The 2025 MTV VMAs will be broadcast by CBS for the first time. It will also be simulcast on MTV and available for streaming on Paramount+ in the United States.
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
Bad Bunny Beyoncé Kendrick Lamar Lady Gaga (WINNER) Morgan Wallen Taylor Swift The Weeknd
Song of the Year
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” Rosé & Bruno Mars, “APT.” (WINNER) 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
Ariana Grande Charli xcx Justin Bieber Lorde Miley Cyrus Sabrina Carpenter (WINNER) Tate McRae
MTV Push Performance of the Year
August 2024: Shaboozey, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” September 2024: Ayra Starr, “Last Heartbreak Song” October 2024: Mark Ambor, “Belong Together” November 2024: Lay Bankz, “Graveyard” December 2024: Dasha, “Bye Bye Bye” January 2025: KATSEYE, “Touch” (WINNER) February 2025: Jordan Adetunji, “Kehlani” March 2025: Leon Thomas, “Yes It Is” April 2025: Livingston, “Shadow” May 2025: Damiano David, “Next Summer” June 2025: Gigi Perez, “Sailor Song” July 2025: Role Model, “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out”
Best Collaboration
Bailey Zimmerman with Luke Combs, “Backup Plan (Stagecoach Official Music Video)” Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “luther” Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars, “Die With a Smile” (WINNER) Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton, “Pour Me a Drink” Rosé & Bruno Mars, “APT.” Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco, “Sunset Blvd”
Best Pop
Alex Warren, “Ordinary” Ariana Grande, “Brighter Days Ahead” (WINNER) 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. Sexyy Red, “Whatchu Kno About Me” Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us” LL Cool J ft. Eminem, “Murdergram Deux” Travis Scott, “4X4”
Best R&B
Chris Brown, “Residuals” Leon Thomas & Freddie Gibbs, “Mutt (Remix)” Mariah Carey, “Type Dangerous” (WINNER) Partynextdoor – “No Chill” Summer Walker, “Heart Of A Woman” SZA, “Drive” The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, “Timeless”
Best Alternative
Gigi Perez, “Sailor Song” Imagine Dragons, “Wake Up” Lola Young, “Messy” mgk & Jelly Roll, “Lonely Road” Sombr, “Back to Friends” (WINNER) 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
Bad Bunny, “Baile Inolvidable” J Balvin, “Rio” Karol G, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” Peso Pluma, “La Patrulla” Rauw Alejandro & Romeo Santos, “Khé?” Shakira, “Soltera“ (WINNER)
Best K-pop
Aespa, “Whiplash” Jennie, “Like Jennie” Jimin, “Who” Jisoo, “Earthquake” Lisa ft. Doja Cat & Raye, “Born Again” (WINNER) Stray Kids, “Chk Chk Boom” Rosé, “Toxic Till the End”
Best Afrobeats
Asake & Travis Scott, “Active” Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott, “TaTaTa” Moliy, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea, “Shake It To The Max (Fly) (Remix)” Rema, “Baby (Is It a Crime)” Tems ft. Asake, “Get It Right” Tyla, “Push 2 Start” (WINNER) Wizkid ft. Brent Faiyaz, “Piece Of My Heart”
Best Country
Chris Stapleton, “Think I’m In Love With You” Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood, “I’m Gonna Love You” Jelly Roll, “Liar” Lainey Wilson, “4x4xU” Megan Moroney, “Am I Okay?” (WINNER) Morgan Wallen, “Smile”
Best Album
Bad Bunny, Debí Tirar Más Fotos Kendrick Lamar, GNX Lady Gaga, Mayhem Morgan Wallen, I’m the Problem Sabrina Carpenter, Short n’ Sweet (WINNER) The Weeknd, Hurry Up Tomorrow
Best Longform Video
Ariana Grande, “Brighter Days Ahead” (WINNER) Bad Bunny – “Debí Tirar Más Fotos (Short Film)” Damiano David, “Funny Little Stories” Mac Miller, “Balloonerism” Miley Cyrus, “Something Beautiful” The Weeknd, “Hurry Up Tomorrow”
Best Group
aespa All Time Low Backstreet Boys BLACKPINK (WINNER) Coldplay Evanescence Fuerza Regida Grupo Frontera Imagine Dragons Jonas Brothers KATSEYE My Chemical Romance SEVENTEEN Stray Kids The Marías twenty one pilots
Song of the Summer
Addison Rae, “Headphones On” Alex Warren, “Ordinary” Benson Boone, “Mystical Magical” BigXthaPlug ft. Bailey Zimmerman, “All The Way” Chappell Roan, “The Subway” Demi Lovato, “Fast” Doja Cat, “Jealous Type” HUNTRIX: EJAE, Audrey Nuna & REI AMI, “Golden” Jessie Murph, “Blue Strips” Justin Bieber, “Daisies” MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea, “Shake It to the Max (FLY) (Remix)” Morgan Wallen ft. Tate McRae, “What I Want” Ravyn Lenae ft. Rex Orange County, “Love Me Not” Sabrina Carpenter, “Manchild” sombr, “12 to 12” Tate McRae, “Just Keep Watching (From F1 The Movie)” (WINNER)
Video for Good
Burna Boy, “Higher” Charli xcx – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” (WINNER) 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
Ariana Grande, “Brighter Days Ahead” Charli xcx, “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us” Lady Gaga, “Abracadabra” (WINNER) Rosé & Bruno Mars, “APT.” Sabrina Carpenter, “Manchild”
Best Art Direction
Charli xcx, “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us” Lady Gaga, “Abracadabra” (WINNER) Lorde, “Man of the Year” Miley Cyrus, “End of the World” Rosé & Bruno Mars, “APT.”
Best Cinematography
Ariana Grande, “Brighter Days Ahead” Ed Sheeran, “Sapphire” Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us” (WINNER) Lady Gaga, “Abracadabra” Miley Cyrus, “Easy Lover” Sabrina Carpenter, “Manchild”
Best Editing
Charli xcx, “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” Ed Sheeran, “Sapphire” Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us” Lady Gaga, “Abracadabra” Sabrina Carpenter, “Manchild” Tate McRae, “Just Keep Watching (From F1: The Movie)” (WINNER)
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
Ariana Grande, “Brighter Days Ahead” Lady Gaga, “Abracadabra” Rosé & Bruno Mars, “APT.” Sabrina Carpenter, “Manchild” (WINNER) Tate McRae, “Just Keep Watching (From F1: The Movie)“ The Weeknd, “Hurry Up Tomorrow”