Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga Win Big at 2025 VMAs/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga headlined a dazzling 2025 MTV Video Music Awards with standout wins and show-stopping performances. The night featured tributes to Mariah Carey and Ozzy Osbourne, alongside honors for Busta Rhymes and Ricky Martin. Hosted by LL Cool J, the event celebrated music legends and emerging icons alike.
2025 MTV VMAs Highlights: Quick Looks
- Ariana Grande wins Video of the Year and Best Pop Video
- Lady Gaga named Artist of the Year, delivers dramatic performance
- Mariah Carey honored with Video Vanguard Award
- Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne features Aerosmith, YUNGBLUD, and others
- Busta Rhymes receives first Rock the Bells Visionary Award
- Ricky Martin named inaugural Latin Icon Award recipient
- Doja Cat opens show with retro-themed performance
- Taylor Swift and Beyoncé remain tied for all-time VMA wins
- 2025 VMAs broadcast on CBS for the first time
- Hosted by LL Cool J at UBS Arena
Deep Look
Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga Dominate the 2025 MTV VMAs with Unforgettable Performances and Wins
The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards lit up the UBS Arena with a star-studded celebration of music, creativity, and cultural impact. Two global pop powerhouses — Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga — emerged as the evening’s biggest names, taking home major awards and delivering high-energy, emotional performances.
Grande captured the coveted Video of the Year award and also won Best Pop Video, continuing her reign as a fan and critic favorite. Her acceptance speech was both heartfelt and humorous, thanking her “therapists and gay people,” a moment that quickly trended across social platforms.
Meanwhile, Lady Gaga, the night’s top nominee, opened the show with a poignant acceptance speech for Artist of the Year, emphasizing the spiritual and emotional power of artistry. She followed with a visually rich performance of “Abracadabra” and “The Dead Dance” — the latter a haunting track from the Netflix series Wednesday — performed live at Madison Square Garden and streamed to the audience at UBS Arena.
“Being an artist is a responsibility to smile, dance, cry,” Gaga said before dedicating her award to fans and fiancé Michael Polansky, who co-executive produced her album Mayhem.
Mariah Carey Honored with Video Vanguard Award
In a moment long awaited, Mariah Carey was awarded her first-ever VMA — the Video Vanguard Award — celebrating her legendary career. Presented by Ariana Grande, who called Carey “the soundtrack of our lives,” the tribute was both emotional and fitting.
Clad in a gold satin robe that revealed a glittering bodysuit, Carey delivered a sweeping medley including “Fantasy,” “We Belong Together,” and “Obsessed,” alongside hits from her groundbreaking album The Emancipation of Mimi.
“What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?” Carey joked about the long-overdue honor.
Rock Royalty Pays Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne
The late Ozzy Osbourne, an MTV legend and rock icon, received a thunderous tribute featuring Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, YUNGBLUD, and Nuno Bettencourt. Together, they performed Osbourne’s anthems “Crazy Train,” “Changes,” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home.”
Osbourne’s son Jack and grandchildren appeared in a heartfelt video message, expressing gratitude and encouraging young musicians to carry forward his legacy.
“Ozzy forever, man!” shouted the performers as the set ended.
Busta Rhymes and Ricky Martin Receive Historic Awards
Hip-hop icon Busta Rhymes was honored with the first-ever Rock the Bells Visionary Award. He tore through a medley of classics — “Gimme Some More,” “Scenario,” and “Pass the Courvoisier, Part II” — with guest appearances from Joyner Lucas, Papoose, and GloRilla.
In his speech, Rhymes paid tribute to Ananda Lewis, a beloved 1990s MTV and BET host who passed away in June.
“She loved the culture very much. I miss her very much,” he said.
Ricky Martin made history as the inaugural recipient of the Latin Icon Award. Celebrating a 40-year career, Martin delivered a sizzling performance and spoke about unity, cultural pride, and family — dedicating the award to his four children.
“We just want to unite countries, break boundaries, and keep music alive,” Martin said.
Doja Cat Brings the Unexpected in Opening Performance
The night began with a surreal, retro-styled interruption of LL Cool J’s opening monologue by Doja Cat, appearing in a digital spoof of ’80s MTV icon Max Headroom. Her eccentric entrance segued into a bold performance of “Jealous Type,” introduced by saxophonist Kenny G.
Doja’s offbeat energy — from chewing lipstick on the red carpet to her theatrical performance — added a dose of unpredictability to an otherwise polished production.
Ties, Surprises, and Firsts
While Lady Gaga’s Artist of the Year win stole the spotlight, it left Taylor Swift and Beyoncé tied once again at 30 career VMAs each, as neither secured additional wins this year.
Other notable performers included Conan Gray, Tate McRae, Jelly Roll, Post Malone, J Balvin, Sabrina Carpenter, Alex Warren, and newcomer sombr.
For the first time, the MTV VMAs were broadcast live on CBS, marking a significant expansion in the show’s reach.
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