The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards kicked off in fantastic form as Lady Gaga took home the first Moon Person of the night.
The 39- year-old performer earned the major win as they upset megastar Taylor Swift in the coveted Artist of the Year category at the star-studded award show on Sunday night.
In addition to Taylor, she triumphed over a very impressive list of music’s biggest stars including: Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Morgan Wallen, and The Weeknd.
The Mayhem artist got candid about what it meant to her to earn the award during her acceptance speech as she candidly talked about what being an artist means to her.
She said: ‘I thought about what it means to be rewarded for being an artist, being rewarded for something that is already so rewarding. Being an artist is an attempt to connect the souls of people all over the world.
‘Being an artist is a discipline, a craft meant for reaching into someone’s heart, where it grows its roots and reminding them to dream. Being an artist is responsibility to make the audience smile. Dance, cry, released at any turn. It’s a method of building understanding and celebrating community.
The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards kicked off in fantastic form as Lady Gaga took home the first Moon Person of the night
Gaga also stressed the importance of art in everyone’s life and reminded all of her fans to count on themselves and their skills.
She went on to thank her fans known as the ‘Little Monsters’ before thanking her fiance Michael Polansky.
Gaga concluded her acceptance speech: ‘I dedicate this award to the audience. You very much deserve a stage to shine on, and I give you all my applause.
‘Thank you, little monsters, my fans. For always supporting me and always supporting the monster in me. A partner in all things, Michael. Creating this year with you was a beautiful, beautiful dream. And you have been my partner every step of the way.
‘I dedicate this to you too, my love. I wish I could stay and enjoy all these performances but I have to go back to Madison square garden. Thank you.’
Ricky Martin was honored with the first ever Latin Icon Award as he performed a medley of his hits including Livin La Vida Loca and The Cup Of Life.
The 53-year-old singer was presented the honor by Jessica Simpson as he sweetly gave a sweet dedication to his four children: twins Matteo and Valentino, daughter Lucia and son Renn.
He said: ‘I wanted to dedicate this award to my kids. I want to dedicate this award to my kids. Everything I do I do it with you in my mind and my heart.’
The 39- year-old performer earned the major win as they upset megastar Taylor Swift in the coveted Artist of the Year category at the star-studded award show on Sunday night
. In addition to Taylor, she triumphed over a very impressive list of music’s biggest stars including: Bad Bunny , Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar , Morgan Wallen , and The Weeknd
The Mayhem artist got candid about what it meant to her to earn the award during her acceptance speech as she candidly talked about what being an artist means to her
Gaga also stressed the importance of art in everyone’s life and reminded all of her fans to count on themselves and their skills
She went on to thank her fans known as the ‘Little Monsters’ before thanking her fiance Michael Polansky
She was presented the award by rock legend Lenny Kravitz
Song of the Year was given to Rosé and Bruno Mars for their hit track Apt.
They beat out an impressive field including: 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, Tate McRae – Sports Car, and The Weeknd & Playboi Carti – Timeless.
The 28-year-old New Zealand-South Korean singer-songwriter Rosé was emotional as she teared up while accepting the honor as Bruno was not in attendance.
She said: ‘Someone asked me the other day what my fear in life was and I was quite shocked at my own response. I had no idea how deeply personal this journey has been for me.
‘I told them I feared that somewhere along the way, this journey of pursuing my dreams I might hit a wall and possibly disappoint my 16-year-old self who grew up always and oddball among society that wished some day she too could be herself and equally pursue her dreams just as well as anyone else I saw on television. 12 years later, I dedicate this award to my 16-year-old self who dreamed.’
Busta Rhymes was honored with the Rock The Bells Visionary Award after performing a medley of his hits including Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See and Break Ya Neck.
The 53-year-old rap icon made sure to acknowledge former MTV VJ Ananda Lewis who died at the age of 52 from breast cancer back in June.
Busta sweetly said: ‘I want to thank and I think we all need to acknowledge the incredible woman — that loved us when we came to mtv during the ’90s. An incredible woman that loved me and she loved us, she loved the culture. She lifted us up. I love her. Very much. I miss her very much.
Ricky Martin was honored with the first ever Latin Icon Award as he performed a medley of his hits including Livin La Vida Loca and The Cup Of Life
The 53-year-old singer was presented the honor by Jessica Simpson
He sweetly gave a sweet dedication to his four children: twins Matteo and Valentino, daughter Lucia and son Renn
He said: ‘I wanted to dedicate this award to my kids. I want to dedicate this award to my kids. Everything I do I do it with you in my mind and my heart’
Song of the Year was given to Rosé and Bruno Mars for their hit track Apt
They beat out an impressive field including: 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, Tate McRae – Sports Car, and The Weeknd & Playboi Carti – Timeless
The 28-year-old New Zealand-South Korean singer-songwriter Rosé was emotional as she teared up while accepting the honor as Bruno was not in attendance
‘The late, great, incredible royal empress Ananda Lewis. Thank you all so much. The blessings don’t stop, so we don’t stop, baby.’
The night kicked off with host LL Cool J talking about the magnitude of the event as they are live and airing on national channel CBS coast-to-coast for the very first time.
He was then interrupted by Doja Cat who performed a new song with iconic saxophonist Kenny G.
The biggest night for the MTV networks are being held at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
No doubt all eyes will be on Lady Gaga as she is making her long-awaited return to the award show after a five-year absence.
The 39-year-old music superstar is up for the most awards of the night as she was nominated for 12 including top honor Video Of The Year for her duet with Bruno Mars titled Dying With A Smile.
Gaga already has 18 VMA wins under her belt and her fans are anticipating her to add even more accolades this year.
This year also marks the third time that Gaga led MTV’s list of VMA nominees.
Busta Rhymes was honored with the Rock The Bells Visionary Award after performing a medley of his hits including Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See and Break Ya Neck
The 53-year-old rap icon made sure to acknowledge former MTV VJ Ananda Lewis
Ananda Lewis died at the age of 52 on Wednesday, June 11 after losing her nearly seven-year battle with breast cancer; the star seen in 2019
Busta sweetly said: ‘I want to thank and I think we all need to acknowledge the incredible woman — that loved us when we came to mtv during the ’90s. An incredible woman that loved me and she loved us, she loved the culture. She lifted us up. I love her. Very much. I miss her very much’
She previously topped the list with 13 nods in 2010 and again in 2020 tying for first with nine total nominations.
The Bad Romance hitmaker is followed by her collaborator Bruno Mars who has 11 nominations and Kendrick Lamar has the third most nominations with ten.
Taylor Swift did not release a single or album in the last year so she is only up for one award in the Artist Of The Year category.
Last week, Gaga – born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta – announced that she would also be returning to the stage for a performance.
No doubt all eyes will be on Lady Gaga as she is making her long-awaited return to the award show after a five-year absence
The last time Gaga performed at the VMAs, she took the stage with Ariana Grande to perform their chart-topping dance-pop collaboration, Rain On Me, in 2020
Sabrina Carpenter is also set to perform at the event as she will compete against Gaga for top honor Video of the Year for Manchild
She will be joining the highly anticipated lineup including Doja Cat, Mariah Carey, Jelly Roll, Sabrina Carpenter, Post Malone, Tate McRae and J Balvin among many more.
The last time Gaga performed at the VMAs, she took the stage with Ariana Grande to perform their chart-topping dance-pop collaboration, Rain On Me, in 2020.
Presenters for the event include the likes of Ciara, Ashlee Simpson Ross, Drew Barrymore, Jessica Simpson, Nikki Glaser, Paris Hilton, Livvy Dunne, and Ice Spice.
Rapper and actor LL Cool J is host of the event which will air for the first time on major network CBS as it will also stream on the premium tier of Paramount+ and simulcast on MTV.
MTV Video Music Awards 2025 winners in full
Video of the Year, Presented by Burger King®
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
Artist of the Year
Beyoncé
Kendrick Lamar
Lady Gaga – WINNER
Morgan Wallen
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Taylor Swift’s lone nomination was in the Artist of the Year category
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
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt. – WINNER
Tate McRae – Sports Car
The Weeknd & Playboi Carti – Timeless
Best New Artist
Alex Warren
Ella Langley
Gigi Perez
Lola Young
Sombr
The Marías
Best Pop Artist
Ariana Grande
Charli XCX
Justin Bieber
Lorde
Miley Cyrus
Tate McRae
Justin Bieber is one of the names in star-studded category Best Pop Artist
MTV Push Performance of the Year, Presented by Bacardí® Rum
Ayra Starr – Last Heartbreak Song
Damiano David – Next Summer
Dasha – Bye Bye Bye
Gigi Perez – Sailor Song
Jordan Adetunji – Kehlani
Katseye – Touch
Lay Bankz – Graveyard
Leon Thomas – Yes It Is
Livingston – Shadow
Mark Ambor – Belong Together
Role Model – Sally, When the Wine Runs Out
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)
Best Collaboration, Presented by Under Armour
Bailey Zimmerman & Luke Combs – Backup Plan (Stagecoach Official Music Video)
Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile
Post Malone Featuring 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
Ed Sheeran – Sapphire
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt.
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
Sabrina Carpenter is up for Best Pop for her music video for Manchild
Best Hip-Hop
Doechii – Anxiety
Drake – Nokia
Eminem Featuring Jelly Roll – Somebody Save Me
Glorilla Featuring Sexyy Red – Whatchu Kno About Me
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
LL Cool J Featuring Eminem – Murdergram Deux
Travis Scott – 4×4
Best R&B
Chris Brown – Residuals
Leon Thomas & Freddie Gibbs – Mutt (Remix)
Mariah Carey – Type Dangerous
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
The Marías – Back to Me
Best Rock
Coldplay – All My Love
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
Karol G will be facing off against Bad Bunny in the Best Latin category
Best K-Pop
Aespa – Whiplash
Jennie – Like Jennie
Jimin – Who
Jisoo – Earthquake
Lisa Featuring Doja Cat & Raye – Born Again
Stray Kids – Chk Chk Boom
Rosé – Toxic Till the End
Best Afrobeats
Asake & Travis Scott – Active
Burna Boy Featuring Travis Scott – TaTaTa
Moliy, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea – Shake It to the Max (Fly) (Remix)
Rema – Baby (Is It A Crime)
Tems Featuring Asake – Get It Right
Tyla – Push 2 Start
Wizkid Featuring Brent Faiyaz – Piece of My Heart
Tyla is up for Best Afrobeats
Best Country
Chris Stapleton – Think I’m in Love With You
Cody Johnson & Carrie Underwood – I’m Gonna Love You
Jelly Roll – Liar
Lainey Wilson – 4x4xU
Megan Moroney – Am I Okay?
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
The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow
Lady Gaga’s Mayhem is up for Best Album a she has the most nominations with 12
Best Long Form Video
Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead
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
Video for Good
Burna Boy – Higher
Charli XCX – Guess Featuring Billie Eilish
Doechii – Anxiety
Eminem Featuring Jelly Roll – Somebody Save Me
Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco – Younger and Hotter Than Me
Zach Hood Featuring 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
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt.
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
Best Art Direction
Charli XCX – Guess Featuring Billie Eilish
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Lady Gaga – Abracadabra
Lorde – Man of the Year
Miley Cyrus – End of the World
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt.
Charli xcx and Billie Eilish are up for three awards for their Guess (Remix) video
Best Cinematography
Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead
Ed Sheeran – Sapphire
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
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)
Best Choreography
Doechii – Anxiety
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
Tate McRae – Just Keep Watching (From F1® the Movie)
The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow
Best Group
Aespa
All Time Low
Backstreet Boys
Blackpink
Coldplay
Evanescence
Fuerza Regida
Grupo Frontera
Imagine Dragons
Jonas Brothers
Katseye
The Marías
My Chemical Romance
Seventeen
Stray Kids
Twenty One Pilots
Katseye face heavy competition for Best Group
Song of the Summer
Addison Rae – Headphones On
Alex Warren – Ordinary
Benson Boone – Mystical Magical
BigXthaPlug & Bailey Zimmerman – All the Way
Chappell Roan – The Subway
Demi Lovato – Fast
Doja Cat – Jealous Type
Huntr/x – Golden
Jessie Murph – Blue Strips
Justin Bieber – Daisies
Moliy, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea – Shake It to the Max (Fly) (Remix)
Morgan Wallen & Tate McRae – What I Want
Ravyn Lenae Featuring Rex Orange County – Love Me Not
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
Sombr – 12 to 12
Tate McRae – Just Keep Watching (From F1® the Movie)
