NEW YORK (BN24) — The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards took center stage Sunday night at UBS Arena in New York, celebrating a year of musical milestones with a high-energy ceremony hosted by hip-hop legend LL Cool J. With performances, tributes, and a wide-ranging winners list, the night honored the brightest stars in pop, hip-hop, rock, K-pop, and more.
Ariana Grande earned one of the evening’s top honors, winning Video of the Year for her hopeful and visually stunning single, “Brighter Days Ahead.” The track also brought her wins in two additional categories, underscoring her continued reign in pop music and visual storytelling.
Lady Gaga, however, emerged as the biggest winner of the night with four Moon Person trophies, including the prestigious Artist of the Year award. Her emotional duet with Bruno Mars, “Die With a Smile,” won Best Collaboration, further highlighting Gaga’s enduring versatility and creative evolution.
Another standout was Sabrina Carpenter, who added three VMAs to her growing collection. She won Album of the Year for Short n’ Sweet, Best Pop Artist, and Best Visual Effects for her emotionally charged video “Manchild.” Carpenter’s success highlighted her expanding influence across both visual and musical artistry.
Rosé, best known as a member of BLACKPINK, took home Song of the Year for “APT.”, a powerful duet with Bruno Mars. Meanwhile, girl group KATSEYE claimed MTV Push Performance of the Year for “Touch,” capping off a breakout year.
The ceremony also recognized legacy contributions. Mariah Carey was honored with the Video Vanguard Award, celebrating her decades of influence on the music video format. Busta Rhymes received the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award, while Ricky Martin was presented with the first-ever Latin Icon Award, commemorating his global impact.
Among genre-specific wins, Alex Warren was named Best New Artist, and BLACKPINK secured Best Group, continuing K-pop’s global dominance. Tate McRae captured Song of the Summer for “Just Keep Watching” from F1: The Movie, which also earned her Best Editing.
Mariah Carey also won Best R&B Video for “Type Dangerous”, adding another Moon Person to her decorated career. Doechii earned both Best Hip-Hop Video for “Anxiety” and Best Choreography, solidifying her place as one of the most innovative voices in contemporary hip-hop.
Other major wins included:
- Coldplay for Best Rock Video (“All My Love”)
- Shakira for Best Latin Video (“Soltera”)
- Tyla for Best Afrobeats (“Push 2 Start”)
- Megan Moroney for Best Country Video (“Am I Okay?”)
- Lisa of BLACKPINK for Best K-pop Video (“Born Again” with Doja Cat and Raye)
On the technical side, Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” took home both Best Direction and Best Art Direction, while Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” earned Best Cinematography, adding to his impressive visual repertoire.
Charli xcx, alongside Billie Eilish, won Video for Good for their collaboration “Guess”, which tackled social themes with bold visuals and lyrical depth.
The 2025 MTV VMAs successfully balanced honoring music legends with uplifting emerging talent. From emotional acceptance speeches to unforgettable performances, the night served as a vivid reminder of music’s unifying power. As the industry continues to evolve, the VMAs remain a vital pulse point for creativity, diversity, and cultural impact.
