Sabrina Carpenter and Zara Larsson lead celebrities embracing ‘visible underwear’ trend at the VMAs as A-listers opt for nearly naked looks – despite awards show prohibiting stars from wearing anything ‘raunchy’

As the stars descended on the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at the UBS Arena on Long Island in New York – it seemed that the fashionable approach was to opt for ‘less is more’. 

Last night, glamorous A-listers including the likes of Jessica Simpson, Zara Larsson and Sabrina Carpenter all embraced the new ‘visible underwear’ trend, taking to the red carpet in nearly naked looks. 

The visible pantyline was once firmly a no-go, with even a hint of underwear being seen through the trousers considered a cardinal sin in the world of fashion. 

The awards show itself is no stranger to considerably risque displays – with Britney Spears‘ rendition of I’m A Slave 4 U seeing her bring a live python on stage in 2001.  

A slew of stars have also raised eyebrows by hitting the VMAs red carpet wearing nearly nude looks in past years, including Doja Cat, Rose MacGowan, and Megan Fox, amongst others.

But this year’s considerably raunchy looks came despite a warning from the awards show prior to the event airing, according to The Sun. 

Singer Zara Larsson, for example, left little to imagination with her VMAs outfit. She donned a completely see-through mini dress and blue undies, only covered by dazzling tassels and flowers. 

Tate McRae meanwhile opted for two monochrome looks – both of which showed her underwear. 

The songstress, 22, wore a custom Ludovic de Saint Sernin white gown on the red carpet, before making her outfit change. 

Jessica Simpson meanwhile looked unrecognizable as she arrived at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards – marking her first appearance at the event in nearly 20 years.

She too opted for a goth glam dress from Christian Siriano with see-through fabric that teased her slim figure, and with her hair styled in a high ponytail. 

However, award-winning style expert Lisa Talbot told the Daily Mail that this year’s VMA looks are ‘more artistic’ than ‘risqué’, as they are backed up with ‘structure and styling’. 

She said: ‘The visible underwear trend at this year’s VMAs is really an evolution of what we’ve been seeing all year, lingerie and sheer fabrics moving firmly into eveningwear. It’s underwear as outerwear, but styled with purpose, which is why it feels fashion-forward rather than purely provocative.

‘Celebrities like Zara Larsson, Tate McRae and Sabrina Carpenter are tapping into the Y2K revival and the ongoing appetite for “nearly naked” dressing, but what’s new is how mainstream it’s become. We’ve seen visible bras and corsetry on the runway, and now it’s dominating red carpets.

‘What this says about fashion’s direction is that confidence and self-expression are driving style choices. It’s about owning your body and making bold statements, rather than playing it safe.

‘And although the VMAs asked for ‘no raunchy’ looks, this year’s red carpet was more artistic than risqué. The sheerness and lingerie details were balanced with structure and styling, so it came across as sensual but polished, not shocking.’

Other celebrities also getting on board with the ‘nearly naked’ look included Olandria Carthen, who stunned in a red sheer design from Cheney Chan, Taylor Momsen and Gabby Windey. 

FKA Twigs had just a single piece of red fabric that went across her top, some sleeves, and a matching skirt. 

Sabrina Carpenter also opted for a bright red look with a lacy design – and had appeared to have forsaken underwear entirely. 

Meanwhile Nikki Glaser put her spin on the classic little black sheer dress from Ludovic de Saint Sernin, also by flashing a hint of lingerie. 

YouTuber Mai Pham opted for a mermaid-silhouette gown, which was also sheer along the legs. She added chunky earrings and bracelets, as well as a statement circular bodice. 

This year, the awards ceremony switched to CBS after 20 years with MTV. 

‘CBS and MTV have significantly different rules and guidelines that they each have to abide by,’ an insider told the Sun. 

‘The content and language on MTV is much more lenient, making this an interesting year for the VMAs.

‘Their airing rules and various content standards are completely different due to CBS being a broadcast network and MTV being classified as a cable channel.

‘Because of this, CBS has much stricter guidelines of what is considered inappropriate and is not allowed to air anything that is considered indecent or profane.’

The source explained that ‘revealing outfits’ and ‘unplanned profanity’ are strictly prohibited.

They added that the rules have been set by the Federal Communications Commission so there’s ‘no way around it.’

Elsewhere last night, Ariana Grande shocked as she triumphed over Lady Gaga who had the most nominations at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards on night where the Abracadabra hitmaker upset Taylor Swift.

The 32-year-old hitmaker ended the night by earning top honor for Video of the Year for Brighter Days Ahead.

It was quite the surprise result as she faced stiff competition including: 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, and The Weeknd & Playboi Carti – Timeless.

Ariana concluded her acceptance speech with a sweet message about optimism.

She said: ‘This project is about the hard work that is healing all different kinds of drama and coming home to our young selves including safety and our own lives which is a lifelong process on a daily exercise. 

‘If you’re on their journey please continue because I promise there are brighter days ahead. This is ridiculous.’ 

The top honor was the second award Ariana earned as earlier in the evening she took home Best Pop also for Brighter Days Ahead.

The 32-year-old hitmaker triumphed over Alex Warren – Ordinary, Ed Sheeran – Sapphire, Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile, Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt., and Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild.

She was emotional during her acceptance speech as she said: ‘Thank you so much. Oh, my god. This is so kind. Thank you so much. I was so nervous. I have to start by saying thank you so much to my fans. I’m going to cry.

‘I think I broke this. I think I broke it. I have to say thank you first and foremost my fans. I love you with every fiber of my being.’

Ariana made sure to acknowledge the entire team behind her music video as she named several members of the cast and crew which no one else did the entire night.

She concluded her speech by saying: ‘I love making this record with you more than anything in the entire world. It was life-changing, thank you for championing me as a songwriter and producer. I love you so much. Thank you to my therapist. And gay people, I love you.’

The award show 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.