25 awards, over 20 performers and one show-stopping night. The MTV Video Music Awards brings together stars across genres in a celebration of music, cinematography and entertainment. The 2025 VMAs built upon the traditional awards, adding new honors and paying respect to the legends of the music industry.
The entire night had an air of nostalgia with icons such as Paris Hilton and the Simpson sisters presenting awards, and many of the performers embracing the 80s and 90s aesthetic on stage.
Here are the highlights of the stage from the 41st VMAs.
Starting at 8 p.m., award-winning rapper and host LL Cool J welcomed viewers live from New York City, the birthplace of MTV.
“We’re all here for one reason — music… No matter what you’re bumping on your playlists these days, pop, country, Latin, hip-hop, K-pop, straight up rock, it’s all here,” LL Cool J told the audience.
With an on-purpose interruption, Doja Cat took the stage with Kenny G on the saxophone, opening with an 80s rendition of her single “Jealous Type.” Doja Cat embraced the 80s era, decked in a black-and-white ensemble as she performed mesmerizing choreography on a set of retro neon and checkered floors. Starting off strong, Doja Cat was one of my favorite performers of the night, paying homage to the classic 80s and early 90s era of MTV.
The first award of the night was Artist of the Year, and it was highly anticipated after a competitive year with Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen, Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé all in the running.
Lady Gaga took home Artist of the Year, dedicating her award to the audience and speaking to the importance of art, passion and creativity.
“Being an artist is a discipline, a craft meant for reaching into someone’s heart, where it grows its roots and reminds them to dream. Being an artist is a responsibility to make the audience smile, dance, cry and release at any turn. It is a method of building understanding and celebrating community,” Lady Gaga told the audience.
She also dedicated the award to her partner, Michael Polansky, who helped her create her most recent album, “Mayhem,” which achieved the largest first-week sales of the year for a female album in 2025.
Later in the evening, Lady Gaga performed live from Madison Square Garden. “Mother Monster” started strong with a more haunting edition of “Abracadabra,” and then had a quick costume change for the new single “The Dead Dance,” which is featured on the soundtrack for “Wednesday” season two.
The first VMA debut artist of the night, Lola Young, sang her viral single “Messy.” The performer stayed true to her authentic and minimalistic style, focusing on the vocals and music.
The VMAs recognized a legend of Latin music, awarding Ricky Martin with the first-ever Latin Icon Award, honoring how he brought Latin music mainstream. With enthusiasm and gratitude, Martin accepted the award after an invigorating performance of hits such as “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” His return to the VMAs stage marks 25 years since he was the first male Latin artist to win Best Pop Video.
Moving along to the pop star known for her sultry voice and “hair-ography,” Tate McRae started singing “Revolving Door” to the camera, walking around the posed male dancers mimicking statues. Then, everyone leapt into motion for “Sports Car” choreography with flashing lights, pyrotechnics and a pit of sand featured in the show for added movement. McRae later won Song of the Summer for “Just Keep Watching.”
The 2025 song of the year was ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” Song of the Year was highly contested after a whirlwind year of top songs, including Alex Warren’s “Ordinary,” Gracie Abram’s “I Love You, I’m Sorry,” and Billie Eilish’s “BIRDS OF A FEATHER.” ROSÉ is previously known for singing with the K-pop group BLACKPINK. The New Zealand native accepted the award, thanking Bruno for his mentorship along with family members, friends, fans and herself for not giving up on her dream.
The first-ever MTV Rock the Bells Visionary Award was awarded to hip-hop icon and rapper Busta Rhymes for his mind-bending and status quo-shattering music and artistry. Starting in the 1980s and gaining fame in the early 1990s, the award recognizes his legacy both for his lyrical and visual contributions to hip-hop.
Emerging from a sewer drain in a dazzling dress, Sabrina Carpenter performed her new song “Tears” for the first time live, channeling Britney Spears with a dance break in the rain. The set, filled with an ensemble of drag performers and trans women, featured a clear call to action to “Protect the Dolls,” a phrase associated with protecting the rights and lives of trans women.
Carpenter’s performance was the perfect blend of drama, dancing, comedy and activism. She combined her lighthearted lyrics with a powerful message and Broadway-worthy costumes and choreography. Later, Carpenter was back on stage to accept Best Album for “Short n’ Sweet.”
Next up, the Push Performance of the Year celebrated breakout global girl group, KATSEYE, and their hit song “Touch.” The six-member group debuted last year and has recently made headlines for appearing in Gap’s “Better in Denim” campaign.
Tuning in all the way from Germany, Post Malone and Jelly Roll joined the VMAs from their tour. The duo performed “Losers,” featuring Malone’s shift into a country sound.
Back in New York, Bailey Zimmerman and The Kid LAROI continued the country sound, singing “Lost.” It was both Zimmerman and The Kid LAROI’s first time performing at the VMAs.
Taking the spotlight, Mariah Carey stunned with her signature whistle notes while singing “Sugar Sweet.” Shifting from a luxurious robe to a glittering bodysuit, her vocals took center stage even as dancers, including some on roller skates, surrounded her.
Carey performed classics such as “Heartbreaker” and “Obsessed” while clips from the respective viral music videos played on the big screen behind her, recognizing both her iconic voice and visuals. It wasn’t until I was watching Carey and seeing the clips from years of famous music videos that I realized how much of an impact she has had in music video history. From extravagant vacations to alter egos, Carey has created intricate other realities on screen.
This year, Carey accepted her first VMA award, but it was none other than the Video Vanguard Award, given to musicians and music video directors since 1984 for outstanding contribution and impact on music videos and pop culture.
“Music videos are my way of life, of bringing music to my own life,” Carey told the audience. “And let’s be honest, sometimes there’s just an excuse to bring the drama and do things I wouldn’t do in real life.”
After winning Best New Artist, Alex Warren took to the stage to sing “Ordinary” and “Eternity” among an ethereal set and dozens of backup singers and dancers. The songs put Warren on the map with “Ordinary” ranking number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 for 10 weeks.
Continuing to honor music legends, the VMAs paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away in July. In a video, Osbourne’s son and four of his grandchildren welcomed Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, YUNGBLUD and Nuno Bettencourt onto the stage. They rocked the house with a medley of hits from the “Prince of Darkness.” Fans of heavy metal and first time listeners were jamming out in the audience, and it was a true head-banging performance.
Traveling back in time, J Balvin performed 90s-reggaeton-inspired songs “Zun Zun” as well as “Como en los 90s” with DJ Snake.
Receiving the Best Alternative award earlier in the night, Sombr performed the award-winning track “Back to Friends” followed by “12 to 12” from his recently released debut album. It feels like Sombr is just entering the spotlight, and I foresee his popularity only increasing after tonight.
The VMAs introduced two new awards this year, Best Country and Best Pop Artist. Megan Moroney won the former and also performed her newest single, “6 Months Later.” As a listener of Moroney since her “Hair Salon” days, I loved seeing her with her sparkly guitar and bubbly dress on the VMAs stage.
Ariana Grande took home Best Pop. Other notable award-winners include Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars for Best Collaboration on “Die With A Smile,” Lisa featuring Doja Cat and Raye for Best K-pop for “Born Again,” and Tyla for Best Acrobats featured in “Push 2 Start.”
For the final performance of the night, Conan Gray put a spin on his single “Vodka Cranberry,” reimagining “Romeo and Juliet” on set.
After three hours, the VMAs came to a close, and the final ”Moon Person” for Video of the Year was given to Ariana Grande for “Brighter Days Ahead.”
