VMAs 2025 Celebrate Pop Powerhouses, Honor Music Icons | News Glare

Lead The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at New York’s UBS Arena crowned Lady Gaga Artist of the Year, awarded Ariana Grande Video of the Year, and honored Mariah Carey with the Video Vanguard Award on September 7.

Nut Graf Marking MTV’s return to a live, in-person spectacle, this year’s ceremony introduced two new categories-Best Pop Artist and Best Country Artist-and featured high-octane performances alongside historic recognitions, underscoring the awards’ enduring relevance in shaping music culture.

Key Winners and Honors

Artist of the Year: Lady Gaga departed just 15 minutes into the show to headline her Mayhem Ball concert but secured the evening’s top prize, dedicating it to the connective power of artistry.
Video of the Year: Ariana Grande won for “Brighter Days Ahead,” besting contenders including Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish and Lady Gaga with Bruno Mars.
Song of the Year: ROSÉ & Bruno Mars, “APT.” captured the Moon Person for crafting one of 2025’s defining tracks.
Video Vanguard Award: Mariah Carey received MTV’s highest honor, opening her acceptance with a medley of hits from “Sugar Sweet” to “We Belong Together” and reflecting on a career of boundary-breaking visuals and vocals.
Best New Artist: Alex Warren took home his first Moon Person for “Ordinary,” spotlighting rising talent on the global stage.

Performances and Highlights

Opening Act: Doja Cat rocked the stage with “Jealous Type” alongside Kenny G, setting a celebratory tone.
Tribute: Aerosmith’s Tyler and Perry and Nuno Bettencourt paid homage to Ozzy Osbourne with a rousing medley.
Surprise Appearance: Lady Gaga, en route to Madison Square Garden, appeared to accept her award and praised the communal spirit of music before rushing off.
Rising Stars: Lola Young stunned with her viral hit “Messy,” and Tyla secured Best Afrobeats for “PUSH 2 START.”

Ceremony Details Hosted by LL Cool J, the show embraced concise staging and dynamic energy, with winners revealed in a rapid-fire format. Short paragraphs and bold announcements ensured viewers could effortlessly scan highlights online.

Bullet-Point Breakdown

New Categories Debut: Best Pop Artist; Best Country Artist
Total Moon Persons Awarded: over 20 across genres
Streaming Platform: Broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+ from 8 p.m. ET
Audience Engagement: Real-time voting extended to social media

The 2025 VMAs fused traditional honors with fresh talent, delivering a night where legends like Mariah Carey and emergent stars such as Alex Warren shared the spotlight, reinforcing MTV’s role as a curator of music’s past, present and future.