MTV’s Video Music Awards 2025 came and went.
But which artists came out on top during the live broadcast from New York’s UBS Arena on September 7?
Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Rapper Busta Rhymes and singer Ricky Martin had already been declared winners ahead of the show, being this year’s artists to claim the first-ever MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award and the inaugural MTV Latin Icon Award, respectively, for breaking boundaries in their music genres.
Mariah Carey earned the highest accolade of the night — the Vanguard Award, marking her first Moonman in her 35-year career.
Lady Gaga led the VMA 2025 nominations with a whopping 12, including major categories like Video of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Album. The show started with her accepting the Artist of the Year award ahead of her Madison Square Garden performance. Bruno Mars, who collaborated with Lady Gaga on their hit “Die With a Smile,” which won best collaboration, trailed right behind her with 11 nods.
Other front-running nominees were Kendrick Lamar with 10 noms, Sabrina Carpenter and BLACKPINK member Rosé with eight, Ariana Grande and The Weeknd with seven, and Billie Eilish with six. Charli xcx had five nominations stemming from her brat summer, while Bad Bunny, Doechii, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Miley Cyrus, and Tate McRae received four each.
LL Cool J served as host for the VMAs 2025, which aired on CBS and MTV and streamed on Paramount+.
Scroll to see the VMA winners!
Video of the Year
Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead”
Billie Eilish – “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die with a Smile”
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.”
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless”
WINNER: Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead”
Song of the Year
Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
Billie Eilish – “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”
Doechii – “Anxiety”
Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire”
Gracie Abrams – “I Love You, I’m Sorry”
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile”
Lorde – “What Was That”
Tate McRae – “Sports Car”
The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless”
WINNER: ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.”
