The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) turned into a celebration of powerhouse female talent, with Lady Gaga, Rosé, Ariana Grande, and Mariah Carey leading the winners’ list at the star-studded ceremony held at UBS Arena, New York.
Hosted by LL Cool J for the second consecutive year, the event brought together music’s biggest names for a night filled with bold performances, emotional speeches, and historic wins.
Lady Gaga Dominates
Lady Gaga took home Artist of the Year, cementing her reign as one of music’s most influential figures. She also won Best Collaboration, Best Direction, and Best Art Direction for Abracadabra and her duet with Bruno Mars, Die With a Smile.
“Music has saved me over and over, and I hope my art continues to save someone out there tonight,” Gaga said in her acceptance speech.
Ariana Grande’s Big Night
Ariana Grande had a spectacular showing, winning Video of the Year and Best Pop for her hit Brighter Days Ahead, in addition to the Best Long Form Video award. Her emotional acceptance speech thanked her therapists and LGBTQ+ fans, saying,
“Thank you to my therapists and gay people. I love you. This song was my way of finding light again.”
Rosé & Bruno Mars Win Song of the Year
K-pop star Rosé and Bruno Mars’ track APT was crowned Song of the Year, marking one of the biggest global collaborations of the year.
Mariah Carey Honored
Music legend Mariah Carey received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award for her iconic career and also bagged Best R&B for Type Dangerous.
Other Major Winners
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Best New Artist: Alex Warren
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Best Album: Short n’ Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter
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Song of the Summer: Just Keep Watching by Tate McRae
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Best Rock: Coldplay for All My Love
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Best Latin: Shakira for Soltera
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Best Hip-Hop: Doechii for Anxiety
The night also featured electrifying performances by Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Post Malone, Doja Cat, J Balvin & DJ Snake, Conan Gray, and BLACKPINK — who also won Best Group.
With female artists sweeping many of the top categories, the 2025 VMAs were widely hailed as a celebration of women redefining global pop culture.
