2025 MTV VMAS recap: Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande win big at star-studded awards show with eye-popping performances

By RACHEL BOWMAN, US NEWS REPORTER

Updated: 23:43 EDT, 7 September 2025

The music industry’s hottest stars descended upon the USB Arena in New York for the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.

Rapper LL Cool J hosted the awards show that featured several major performances, including a tribute to the music legend Ozzy Osbourne.

Ariana Grande took home two of the night’s biggest awards, Best Pop and Video of the Year, after she was caught on camera awkwardly hugging Sabrina Carpenter.

The Espresso hitmaker received a mixed reaction for her performance featuring background dancers carrying signs that said ‘Dolls, Dolls, Dolls’ and ‘Protect Trans Rights.’

Music stars including Doja Cat, Tate McRae, Ricky Martin, Mariah Carry and more wowed with their performances.

Lady Gaga accepted the Moonman for Artist of the Year, then quickly rushed off stage to head to Madison Square Garden for her show.

Check out the Daily Mail’s coverage of the event, including the best and worst outfits, the most dramatic moments, the winners and more.

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Here is who won the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.

Ariana Grande wins Video of the Year

Ariana Grande received the Video of the Year award for her Brighter Days Ahead music video.

Ariana Grande wins Best Pop category

Ariana Grande won the Best Pop category at the VMAs for her song Brighter Days Ahead.

She thanked her father for his cameo in the music video as she accepted the award.

‘Thank you so much to my fans, I’m going to cry,’ Grande said. ‘Thank you, MTV, thank you, my dad, who acted in this video for the first time in his life, and he is the best scene partner and dad in the world.’

She also thanked her ‘therapist and gay people.’

Alix Earle blasted for ‘pillowcase’ dress

Alix Earle put on a daring display as she walked the red carpet at the star-studded MTV Video Music Awards in New York on Sunday evening.

The 24-year-old TikTok star, who is presenting at the awards show, modeled a mock-neck minidress that appeared conservative from the front but flashed major sideboob when she turned to the side.

Her Tom Ford dress featured an ultra-short hemline to showcase her long, toned legs in black, stiletto slingback heels.

Sabrina Carpenter wins Best Album

Sabrina Carpenter won the Moonman for Best Album for her album Short n’ Sweet.

The singer, 56, was presented with the Video Vanguard Award during the 2025 VMAs.

Dressed in a sparkly gold body suit, she performed a medley of her hits afterwards, including Sugar Sweet, Fantasy, Honey, Obsessed, and It’s Like That.

But the hitmaker was mocked on social media afterwards, as hordes of fans felt her performance was lackluster.

Many X users called her out for seeming ‘stiff’ and walking extremely slowly around the stage, while others accused her of lip syncing.

Ozzy Osbourne honored with tribute performance

Music legend Ozzy Osbourne was honored with a tribute performance by Yungblud, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry and Nuno Bettencourt.

Lady Gaga performs from Madison Square Garden

Lady Gaga delivered her VMA performance from Madison Square Garden, where she is doing shows for her Mayhem Ball.

It is unclear if the performance was live or pre-recorded.

Mariah Carey performs her greatest hits as she accepts Vanguard Award

Mariah Carey performed a medley of her greatest hits before accepting this year’s Video Vanguard Award.

She even brought out her alter ego, Biance Storm, from her 1999 hit Heartbreaker during the performance.

‘I can’t believe I’m getting my first VMA tonight,’ Carey said, although technically she won her first Moonman earlier in the night for the Best R&B category.

Sabrina Carpenter uses performance to protest for trans rights

Sabrina Carpenter performed her new single, Tears, at the MTV VMAs.

While she sang the raunchy song, her background dancers carried signs that said ‘Dolls, Dolls, Dolls’ and ‘Protect Trans Rights.’

The display prompted mixed reactions online, with some criticsing the move.

‘Tone deaf,’ one person said. ‘One reason many Americans did not watch the VMAs,’ said another.

‘Powerful statement but I wonder if these moments actually change minds or just preach to the choir,’ added a third.

‘If celebs actually cared, they’d be donating money and helping communities, not holding cardboard on stage,’ said a fourth.

‘They turn concerts into campaign rallies, then wonder why people stop watching,’ a fifth person said.

Others praised her for the move, saying, ‘Sabrina just out here serving vocals and activism, someone give her a standing ovation AND a medal.’

‘This is how you use your platform in this political climate. We love you Sabrina thank you for representing us,’ added another.

Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter caught in awkward encounter

Ariana Grande has been blasted for ‘acting fake’ as she greeted Sabrina Carpenter at the VMAs.

The Wicked star, dressed in a strapless black and white polka dot frock, awkwardly hugged the Espresso hitmaker.

So people blamed Grande for the uncomfortable interaction.

‘Getting fake vibes from Ari no shade,’ one person said. ‘Ariana acting fake af. Not a genuine bone in her body,’ a second person said.

Others felt that Carpenter was at fault for the awkwardness.

‘To me it’s the opposite. I’m getting fake vibes from Sabrina,’ one person said.

Girl group KATSEYE wins Push Performance of the Year

The girl group KATSEYE won the Push Performance of the Year award for the January 2025 performance of Touch.

Doja Cat writhes on stage floor

Doja Cat took the stage after a planned interruption and kicked off the VMAs performances with an ’80s-inspired set.

Busta Rhymes receives first-ever MTV Rock the Bells Visionary Award

Busta Rhymes was honored with the first-ever MTV Rock the Bells Visionary Award.

The rapper was presented with the award after performing a mashup of his greatest hits.

Tate McRae stuns during her first VMA performance

Tate McRae wowed the audience in her all white Medusa themed performance.

After winning the Song of the Summer award, McRae teased that the myth of Medusa inspired her set.

She showcased her iconic dance movies while singing some of her hits, including Sports Car and Revolving Door.

Fans blast Yungblud for going shirtless on red carpet

Showcasing his edginess, he walked with attitude on the red carpet before turning to the cameras with both arms outstretched and his right knee bent forward as he shot his sultriest looks toward the photographers.

Many took to social media to express concern about the rising musician.

‘A literal mess…,’ one wrote on a Pop Crave Twitter post as another joked: ‘He’s obsessed with looking a damn mess.’

Another jokingly compared him to a vampire character from a highly popular 1990s series.

Jessica Simpson showed off a noticeably plumper pout and a wrinkle-free visage, the singer/actress looked much younger than her 45 years while posing for photos on the red carpet.

The blonde bombshell — who last attended the VMAs back in 2006 — brought the sex appeal in a goth glam dress with see-through fabric that teased her slim figure.

She present Ricky Martin with his Latin icon award.

Ricky Martin accepts Latin Icon Award

Ricky Martin accepted the first-ever Latin Icon Award at the VMAs.

‘This is for you all. Thank you so much for your applause. I am addicted to your applause, that’s why i keep coming back,’ Martin said.

‘It’s been 40 years. I started when I was a baby, working, and we’re still here.

‘I want to dedicate this award to my kids. Everything I do, I do it with you in my mind and in my heart.’

APT. by Rosé and Bruno Mars wins Song of the Year

Rosé and Bruno Mars won the VMA for Song of the Year with their hit APT.

Ricky Martin performs medley of greatest hits

Ricky Martin, who received the first-ever Latin Icon Award, performed a mashup of his greatest hits.

He sang Livin la Vida Loca, Shake Your Bon-Bon, Vente Pa’ Ca, María and La Copa de la Vida.

Lady Gaga wins Artist of the Year, then leaves VMAs for Mayhem Ball

Lady Gaga accepted the Moonman for Artist of the Year, then quickly rushed off stage to head to Madison Square Garden for her show tonight.

‘Being an artist is an attempt to connect the souls of people all over the world. Being an artist is a discipline, a craft meant for reaching into someone’s heart, where it grows its roots, and reminding them to dream,’ she said.

‘Being an artist is a responsibility to make the audience smile, dance, cry, release… It is a method of building understanding and celebrating community.

‘You very much deserve a stage to shine on, and I give you all my applause. I wish I could stay and watch all these amazing performance, but I have to go back to Madison Square Garden.’

Doja Cat interrupts host LL Cool J for first performance of the night

Doja Cat interrupted host LL Cool J in a pre-planned clip to kick off the night’s first musical performance.

Following her lipstick stunt on the red carpet, the Say So singer took the stage with saxophonist Kenny G.

She put on a busty display while she sang her hit track Jealous Type.

LL Cool J kicks off the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards

The awards show is officially underway.

Morgan Wallen and Tate McRae win Song of the Summer

Morgan Wallen and Tate McRae won the VMA for the Song of the Summer with their hit What I Want.

Paris and Nicky Hilton pose in a fire-and-ice getup

Paris Hilton showed up in a black leather dress shaped like a flame, which she paired with tights, leather gloves, a choker and pumps.

Her sister, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, wore an icy blue dress with bedazzled cutouts on the side.

Sabrina Carpenter stuns in skintight dress

Sabrina Carpenter, 26, sizzled in a skintight glittery red lace gown paired with a lavender feather boa as she arrived at the bash, ahead of her performance.

The Espresso hitmaker — who is nominated for a number of awards, including video of the year, best pop artist, and best album — looked every inch like Jessica Rabbit in her floor-length dress, and wore her blonde tresses in voluminous curls.

Best K-pop and Best Alternative winners announced

In the K-pop category, Thai rapper Lisa won for her song Born Again featuring Doja Cat & Raye.

Performer Sombr won the alternative category with his song Back to Friends.

Mariah Carey wins Best R&B

Mariah Carey won the Best R&B category with her song Type Dangerous.

She has not been seen on the red carpet yet, but is expected to perform late this evening.

Ariana Grande earns spot on worst dressed list

Ariana Grande joined the worst dressed list in a strapless black and white polka dot frock that had a strange puffy ruffle in the center and hung awkwardly on her frame.

Megan Moroney wins Best Country category

Country signer Megan Moroney won the Moonman for the best country category.

Doja Cat show stealing moment revealed by body language expert

According to Casino.ca‘s body language expert Judi James, Doja Cat just ‘stole’ the red carpet with one small act that left her interviewer speechless, yelling ‘did you get that?’ at the cameras.

Dressed in a Dolly Parton ‘9 to 5’ big hairstyle and a red tinsel-trimmed demure mini dress, she performed a ‘hold my mic’ gesture, giving her mic to the interviewer while she brandished a tube of vivid red lipstick to apply to her lips.

Instead of applying it, though, she pushed it into her mouth and, with her lips pulled back in what looked like distaste, she bit through the actual lipstick, chewed it, and literally ate it.

This gesture is something of a horror for most women who would see it as a ‘bad dream’ moment.

There was a polite smile from the interviewer that masked some jaw-dropping shock. Doja took it further, bizarrely dabbing the end of her lipstick on her tongue and saying ‘delicious’.

The interviewer stared, gawping and marveling that ‘you don’t have any on your tongue’.

Doja polished off this mini-‘miracle’ by baring her teeth at the camera and patting her stomach, claiming ‘I’m very full’.On a night of attention-seeking outfits and red carpet poses, she managed to win in terms of shocking her audience.

Alex Warren wins Best New Artist Award

Singer-song writter Alex Warren won the Best New Artist Award, which was the first award of the night handed out during the pre-show.

KATSEYE performs during VMAs pre-show

Girl group KATSEYE took the stage for the VMAs pre-show.

Fans blasted Doja Cat for eating her own lipstick on the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards red carpet.

The Say So singer applied her bright red lipstick as she posed for photos, then took a bite of the product.

When asked by a reporter how it tasted, she replied, ‘Oh, it was delicious.’

‘She thought she ate,’ one person said. ‘No, she didn’t just do that,’ added another.

‘Why, though?’ a third person asked. When intrusive thoughts (or hunger) win,’ said a fourth.

The Paint the Town Red singer led the worst dressed in a colorful purple and yellow plaid mini dress that had a very low-cut neckline and dramatic sparkling red embellishments along the edges.

She completed the exaggerated ensemble with enormous, platform heels, eye-popping earrings, and a wild blonde wig.

Yungblud goes shirtless on red carpet

Yungblud, who is set to honor the late Ozzy Osbourne with a special tribute at the VMAs, went shirtless as he arrived at the awards show.

VMAs host LL Cool J has arrived

Rapper LL Cool J, who is hosting this year’s VMAs, arrived wearing brown pants, a long plaid jacket with a white shirt underneath and a hat.

The Hunting Wives stars walk the VMAs red carpet

Stars of the Netflix hit show The Hunting Wives, Malin Akerman and Brittany Snow, posed together on the red carpet.

Rockstar Lenny Kravitz poses on the red carpet

Lenny Kravitz wore plaid brown suit at the VMAs.

Actress Megan Stalter poses with unique purse

Actress and comedian Megan Stalter opted for a white gown that had a large round piece of fabric at the end of the skirt.

She paired the strange ensemble with a bedazzled Dunkin bag.

Tate McRae arrives in sheer white gown

Tate McRae, who is nominated for four awards and expected to perform tonight, arrived on the red carpet in a sheer white dress.

Jersey Shore cast takes the VMAs red carpet

Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino and his wife Lauren, DJ Pauly D and his girlfriend Nikki Hall, as well as Ronnie Ortiz-Magro walked the VMAs red carpet.

Ashlee Simpson, 40, kicked off the red carpet in style, wearing a sexy black gown that laced up on the sides.

She paired the sizzling dress with open-toe black heels, and wore her auburn tresses in mermaid waves.

Her husband Evan Ross, 37, joined her on the red carpet, looking dapper in a dark suit.

Will Taylor Swift be at the VMAs?

Swifties will be left disappointed to know that the pop superstar is not expected to attend the 2025 VMAs.

Sources told USA TODAY that the Karma singer will not appear at the ceremony where she is nominated for one of the biggest awards of the night – Artist of the Year.

Ricky Martin arrives at the VMAs

Ricky Martin will receive the first-ever Latin Icon Award at the VMAs tonight.

A slew of A-listers dressed in over-the-top looks descended upon UBS Arena in New York for the 2024 MTV Music Video Awards.

The Daily Mail has revealed which of these celebs failed to impress with their bizarre outfit choices.

Love Island stars attend the VMAs

Love Island USA stars Nic Vansteenberghe and Ace Greene have arrived at the 2025 VMAs.

Zara Larsson, Dasha and Rebecca Black arrive at the VMAs

The singer-song writers took the VMAs red carpet.

Yungblud to honor the late Ozzy Osbourne with special tribute at VMAs

Yungblud is set to honor the late Ozzy Osbourne with a special tribute at the VMAs.

The English singer-songwriter, 28, shared the news on Instagram on Friday, posting several sweet black-and-white photos of himself with the Black Sabbath legend.

Yungblud, whose real name is Dominic Harrison, had a very strong relationship with Ozzy after meeting him in 2022, and it appeared that their relationship grew into an almost father-son type bond.

Ozzy tragically passed away aged 76 on July 22, and Yungblud reportedly gave a moving reading at his funeral.

KATSEYE takes the red carpet

Girl group KATSEYE has arrived at the VMAs and is set to perform during the pre-show.

The six-member global girl group was formed through the reality show The Debut: Dream Academy.

They’ve charted two Hot 100 hits so far with ‘Gnarly’ peaking at No. 90 and ‘Gabriella’ reaching No. 63.

KATSEYE recently sold-out their first American tour, with resale tickets now going for as high as $2,000 and more.

The group is currently fronting a denim campaign for Gap, which has gone viral in the wake of Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle scandal.

A clip of KATSEYE dancing to Kelis’ ‘Milkshake’ in Gap jeans has racked up over 400 million views online.

VMAs sets STRICT dress code and issues stark warning to stars about on-air behavior

CBS has set strict rules for attendees at this year’s VMAs, according to The Sun.

The publication claimed that the stars have been warned that they cannot wear anything ‘raunchy.’

In addition, cursing and any other unbecoming behavior will not fly.

‘CBS and MTV have significantly different rules and guidelines that they each have to abide by,’ an insider told the outlet.

‘The content and language on MTV is much more lenient, making this an interesting year for the VMAs.

‘Their airing rules and various content standards are completely different due to CBS being a broadcast network and MTV being classified as a cable channel.

‘Because of this, CBS has much stricter guidelines of what is considered inappropriate and is not allowed to air anything that is considered indecent or profane.’

Lady Gaga, who has been busy touring the world amid her sold-out Mayhem Ball Tour, is set to join the VMAs star-studded lineup.

The official Instagram page for the awards ceremony announced that ‘there will be magic in the air’ as Mother Monster will be taking her latest hits to the VMAs stage.

The last time Gaga performed at the VMAs, she took the stage with Ariana Grande to perform their chart-topping dance-pop collaboration, Rain On Me, in 2020.

In addition to her highly anticipated performance, Gaga is also expected to take home multiple awards at this year’s ceremony.

The singer-songwriter leads this year’s list with 12 nominations, including nods in major categories like Video of the Year, Artist of the Year and Best Album.

Gaga already has 18 VMA wins under her belt and her fans are anticipating her to add even more accolades this year.

Gossip Girl star Taylor Momsen shows off her abs

The Pretty Reckless frontwoman, Taylor Momsen, 32, walked the red carpet in a tiny black crop top that showed off her toned abs.

LL Cool J is hosting this year’s VMAs

Rapper LL Cool J is hosting the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.

He recently told People that hosting the ceremony is like being a middle school ‘crossing guard.’

‘I’m giving people a night off from all the madness in the world… so they can have a good time and enjoy music and enjoy everything about music, all the different genres, all the different generations,’ he said.

‘I’m not going to try to make it about LL COOL J… Just have fun and usher people in and out. I’m like the crossing guard at the junior high.’

Doja Cat arrives at the VMAs in plunging dress

Doja Cat took to the red carpet in a plunging, long-sleeved blue and yellow diamond print dress.

The Say So singer is set to perform at the show later this evening, along with a star-studded lineup of musicians, which premieres at 8pm ET on CBS.

Stars are beginning to take the red carpet at the USB Arena in Elmont, New York.

Who is performing at the VMAs?

A high caliber lineup of the best in music are set to perform at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards.

Lady Gaga, Post Malone, Sabrina Carpenter, Jelly Roll, Doja Cat and Tate McRae will be taking the stage during the ceremony.

Alex Warren, Conan Gray, DJ Snake, J Balvin, Joe Perry & Steven Tyler, Nuno Bettencourt, Sombr and Yungblud will also perform.

Girl group KATSEYE will perform during the pre-show.

Bailey Zimmerman, Lola Young, Megan Moroney, The Kid LAROI will perform on the extended play stage.

Bachelorette and Traitors star Gabby Windey takes the red carpet

Bachelorette alum Gabby Windey arrived at the VMAs in a risqué black lace dress.

MrBeast arrives at the VMAs

YouTube star MrBeast and his fiancée, Thea Booysen, have arrived on the VMAs red carpet.

Who are VMAs nominees?

Here are the nominess for some of the biggest awards of the night.

• Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead
• Billie Eilish – Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
• Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
• Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – Die with a Smile
• Rosé and Bruno Mars – Apt.
• Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
• The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – Timeless

• Bad Bunny
• Beyoncé
• Kendrick Lamar
• Lady Gaga
• Morgan Wallen
• Taylor Swift
• The Weeknd

• Alex Warren – Ordinary
• Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
• Doechii – Anxiety
• Ed Sheeran – Sapphire
• Gracie Abrams – I Love You, I’m Sorry
• Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – Die with a Smile
• Lorde – What Was That
• Rosé and Bruno Mars – Apt.
• Tate McRae – Sports Car
• The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – Timeless

• Alex Warren
• Ella Langley
• Gigi Perez
• Lola Young
• Sombr
• The Marías

How to watch the VMAs

The MTV Video Music Awards premieres tonight at 8pm ET/7pm CT on CBS.

For the first time, CBS will simulcast the awards live alongside MTV, while Paramount+ will also stream the show for viewers around the world.

Celebs will hit the red carpet at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, an hour before.

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2025 MTV VMAS recap: Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande win big at star-studded awards show with eye-popping performances