2025 MTV Video Music Awards
| 2025 MTV Video Music Awards | |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, September 7, 2025 8:00—11:03 p.m. EDT |
| Venue | UBS Arena, Elmont, New York |
| Country | United States |
| Hosted by | LL Cool J |
| Most awards | Lady Gaga (4) |
| Most nominations | Lady Gaga (12) |
| Website | mtv |
| Television/radio coverage | |
| Network | |
| Viewership | 5.5 million |
| Produced by | Bruce Gillmer Jesse Ignjatovic Barb Bialkowski Van Toffler[1] |
| Directed by | Joe DeMaio |
The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards were held at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on September 7, 2025. It was broadcast for the first time on CBS and available to stream on Paramount+ with a simulcast on MTV.[2][3] The show was hosted by rapper and actor LL Cool J.[4] The pre-show was aired on MTV and select sister cable networks with hosts Nessa and Kevan Kenney.[5]
The ceremony recognized outstanding music videos and songs released between June 20, 2024, and June 18, 2025. Best Country—carried over from the CMT Music Awards' Video of the Year category—and the newly introduced Best Pop Artist were both determined by fan voting.[6] Lady Gaga led all nominees with twelve nominations and won four awards, making her the night's most awarded artist. Ariana Grande's Brighter Days Ahead won Video of the Year, while Rosé's "APT." received Song of the Year honors. Mariah Carey was presented with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award by Grande. Two additional special honors were introduced: Busta Rhymes received the Rock the Bells Visionary Award, and Ricky Martin was named Latin Icon. The broadcast achieved a 42% increase in viewership over the previous year, marking its highest ratings in six years.[7]
Performances
Pre-show
Katseye was announced as a performer for the pre-show on September 2, 2025.[8]
| Artist(s) | Song(s) |
|---|---|
| Katseye | "Gnarly" "Gabriela" |
Main show
The first round of performers were announced on August 18, 2025.[9] Mariah Carey was announced on August 21.[10] The second round was announced on August 26.[11] Lady Gaga was announced on August 30.[12] On September 5, performers for the Ozzy Osbourne tribute were announced.[13]
Extended Play stage
Extended Play stage performers were announced on September 2, 2025.
| Artist(s) | Song(s) |
|---|---|
| Lola Young | "Messy" |
| Bailey Zimmerman The Kid Laroi |
"Lost" |
| Megan Moroney | "6 Months Later" |
Presenters
Presenters were announced on September 2, 2025.[14]
Pre-show
- Nessa – presented Best New Artist and Song of Summer
- Kevan Kenney – presented Best R&B and Best Alternative
Main show
- Lenny Kravitz – presented Artist of the Year
- Livvy Dunne – introduced Lola Young and the Extended Play Stage
- J Balvin – introduced Ricky Martin
- Jessica Simpson – presented the Latin Icon Award
- Nikki Glaser – introduced Tate McRae
- Paris Hilton – presented Song of the Year
- LL Cool J – introduced Busta Rhymes and presented the Rock the Bells Visionary Award
- Ice Spice and Latto – presented Push Performance of the Year
- Luke Grimes – introduced Post Malone and Jelly Roll
- Jon Jones – introduced Bailey Zimmerman and The Kid Laroi
- Ariana Grande – introduced Mariah Carey and presented the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award
- Rosé – introduced Lady Gaga
- Brittany Snow and Malin Akerman – introduced Alex Warren
- Jack Osbourne – introduced the Ozzy Osbourne tribute
- GloRilla – introduced J Balvin, Justin Quiles, Lenny Tavárez and DJ Snake
- Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami – presented Best Album
- Alix Earle – introduced Megan Moroney
- Megan Stalter – introduced Sombr
- Ciara – presented Best Pop
- Ashlee Simpson Ross and Jessica Simpson – presented Best Collaboration
- Katseye – introduced Conan Gray
- LL Cool J – presented Video of the Year
Winners and nominees
The nominees were announced on August 5, 2025, with two new award categories–Best Country and Best Pop Artist.[15][16] The nominees in the social categories–Best Group and Song of Summer–were announced on August 29.[17] Lady Gaga led with twelve nominations. She is followed by Bruno Mars with eleven, Kendrick Lamar with ten, Sabrina Carpenter with nine, Rosé with eight, Ariana Grande with seven, Billie Eilish, Tate McRae and The Weeknd with six each, Charli XCX with five, and Alex Warren, Bad Bunny, Doechii, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Miley Cyrus and Morgan Wallen with four each.[17] Gaga was the night's biggest winner, receiving four awards, followed by Grande and Carpenter with three award each, while Mars, McRae, Doechii and Mariah Carey received two each.[18]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.[19][20]
Voted categories
The winners of the following categories are chosen by fan votes.[21] The first round of voting, known as the "General Voting Period", began on August 5 at 12:00 p.m. ET for the categories which nominees were announced on the same day, and concluded on September 5 at 6 p.m. ET.[22] Voting for Best New Artist continues until the end of the ceremony.[22]
Professional categories
The winners of the following categories were chosen by industry professionals.[21]
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Special awards
The recipients of the Rock the Bells Visionary and Latin Icon awards were announced on August 18, 2025.[23] The recipient of the Video Vanguard was announced on August 21.[10]
- Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award: Mariah Carey
- Rock the Bells Visionary Award: Busta Rhymes
- Latin Icon Award: Ricky Martin
Artists with multiple wins and nominations
| Wins | Artist |
|---|---|
| 4 | Lady Gaga |
| 3 | Ariana Grande |
| Sabrina Carpenter | |
| 2 | Bruno Mars |
| Doechii | |
| Mariah Carey | |
| Tate McRae |
| Nominations | Artist |
|---|---|
| 12 | Lady Gaga |
| 11 | Bruno Mars |
| 10 | Kendrick Lamar |
| 9 | Sabrina Carpenter |
| 8 | Rosé |
| 7 | Ariana Grande |
| 6 | Billie Eilish |
| Tate McRae | |
| The Weeknd | |
| 5 | Charli XCX |
| 4 | Alex Warren |
| Bad Bunny | |
| Doechii | |
| Ed Sheeran | |
| Jelly Roll | |
| Miley Cyrus | |
| Morgan Wallen | |
| 3 | Eminem |
| Gigi Perez | |
| Lorde | |
| Playboi Carti | |
| Sombr | |
| The Marías | |
| Travis Scott | |
| 2 | Aespa |
| Asake | |
| Bailey Zimmerman | |
| Benny Blanco | |
| Burna Boy | |
| Coldplay | |
| Damiano David | |
| Doja Cat | |
| Evanescence | |
| Imagine Dragons | |
| Justin Bieber | |
| Katseye | |
| Leon Thomas | |
| Lola Young | |
| Moliy | |
| Selena Gomez | |
| Shenseea | |
| Silent Addy | |
| Skillibeng | |
| Stray Kids | |
| SZA | |
| Twenty One Pilots | |
| Tyla |
References
- ^ White, Peter (June 24, 2025). "After 28 Years At MTV, Van Toffler Returns To Produce The Video Music Awards". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 25, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ Petski, Denise (April 3, 2025). "2025 MTV Video Music Awards To Air On CBS For First Time; Will Simulcast On MTV". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 3, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ Willman, Chris (April 3, 2025). "MTV Video Music Awards to Air on CBS for the First Time in 2025". Variety. Archived from the original on July 30, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ Chuba, Kirsten (August 14, 2025). "LL Cool J Set to Host 2025 MTV VMAs". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
- ^ Sims, Brittany (August 26, 2025). "Jelly Roll, Post Malone, Tate mcRae, & More Added to VMAs 2025 Performer Lineup". TV Insider. Archived from the original on September 2, 2025. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
- ^ Grein, Paul (August 5, 2025). "MTV VMAs Finally Add a Country Category for 2025: Here's When Other Genres Got Their Own Categories". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 5, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 8, 2025. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Grein, Paul (September 2, 2025). "Here Are the Performers and Presenters for the 2025 VMAs: Full List". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 4, 2025. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
- ^ Harrison, Scoop (August 18, 2025). "Sabrina Carpenter to Perform at 2025 VMAs". Consequence. Archived from the original on August 19, 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ^ a b "Mariah Carey to perform, be honored at MTV Video Music Awards". United Press International. August 21, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ Aswad, Jem (August 26, 2025). "Doja Cat, Post Malone, Tate McRae, More to Perform at MTV VMAs". Variety. Archived from the original on August 26, 2025. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
- ^ Luna, Itzel (August 30, 2025). "Lady Gaga will perform during the MTV Video Music Awards. Here's everything to know about the show". Associated Press. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
- ^ Knapp, J. D. (September 5, 2025). "Ozzy Osbourne Tribute Set for 2025 VMAs With Steven Tyler and Yungblud". TheWrap. Archived from the original on September 5, 2025. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
- ^ Lewis, Hilary (September 2, 2025). "VMAs Set Preshow Details and Presenters Including Jessica Simpson, 'Hunting Wives' and 'KPop Demon Hunters' Stars, Paris Hilton". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 2, 2025. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
- ^ Willman, Chris (August 5, 2025). "Lady Gaga Leads MTV VMAs Nominations With 12, Followed by Bruno Mars and Kendrick Lamar". Variety. Archived from the original on August 5, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (August 5, 2025). "MTV VMA Nominations: Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars & Kendrick Lamar Lead Field". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ a b Grein, Paul (August 29, 2025). "Tate McRae, Sabrina Carpenter & More Nominated in Social Categories at 2025 VMAs: Full List". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 29, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
- ^ Grein, Paul (September 8, 2025). "Women Artists, Led by Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande, Own 2025 VMAs". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
- ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (September 7, 2025). "MTV VMAs: Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 7, 2025. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
- ^ Green, Walden (September 7, 2025). "MTV VMAs 2025 Winners: See the Full List Here". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ a b "Vote Now – Nominees for 2025 MTV Video Music Awards". vma.votenow.tv. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ a b Grein, Paul (August 5, 2025). "Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars Are 1-2 in Nominations for 2025 MTV VMAs (Full List)". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 5, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ Inman, DeMicia (August 18, 2025). "Busta Rhymes To Receive Inaugural MTV VMA Rock The Bells Visionary Award". Vibe. Retrieved August 18, 2025.