Gaga Grabs Artist of the Year at VMAs, Races Back to MSG

Lead: Pop icon Lady Gaga stormed the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards in Elmont, N.Y., on Sept. 7 to accept the Artist of the Year trophy before hastily returning to Madison Square Garden for her own concert.

Nut Graf: Gaga’s dual-venue feat underscored her commanding presence in music and live performance, blending awards-show glamour with a sell-out tour stop on the same night.

Surprise VMAs Appearance

Lady Gaga arrived unannounced at UBS Arena to accept the night’s first accolade, Artist of the Year, donning a dramatic black Marc Jacobs gown with floral lace and a red headpiece. She dedicated the award to her audience and fiancé Michael Polansky, calling him her “partner in all things”.

Award Speech and Dedication

In a heartfelt address, Gaga celebrated artistry as a force that “connects spirits across the globe,” and pledged the honor to her global fan base. She praised creative dedication and the power of music to inspire joy, tears and unity.

Sprint to Madison Square Garden

Moments after her speech, Gaga revealed she needed to depart within 15 minutes to headline her Mayhem Ball concert just 18 miles away at Madison Square Garden. Despite overlapping schedules, she ensured fans that her show would begin slightly later than usual, promising a full performance once she returned.

Tour and Awards Context

Gaga is currently on her Mayhem Ball tour in support of her March album Mayhem. The album’s third single, “The Dead Dance,” debuted Sept. 3 on the Wednesday soundtrack. Swiftly juggling tour dates and live television, Gaga leads the VMAs with 12 nominations this year, including Best Direction and Video of the Year for “Abracadabra” and “Die with a Smile” with Bruno Mars.