The MTV Video Music Awards has long been one of pop culture’s biggest stages, where artists cement their legacy and chaos often steals the spotlight. Since its earliest years, the show has delivered both crowning achievements and unpredictable moments, from Britney Spears’ iconic live performances throughout the 2000s to Kanye West’s interruption of Taylor Swift in 2009. On Sunday, September 7, the 2025 VMAs returned to Long Island’s UBS Arena, continuing the tradition of spectacle, surprise, and star power.
Lady Gaga entered the night as the most-nominated artist, with 12 nods, and walked away with four Moon Person trophies, including the Artist of the Year award. It was enough to secure her spot as the night’s biggest winner, though she was edged out of the coveted Video of the Year award by Ariana Grande’s “Brighter Days Ahead.” Grande picked up two other wins, while Sabrina Carpenter took home three, including Best Pop Artist — a milestone many fans felt was overdue, given her steady climb in the industry over the past several years.
The show also spotlighted newer artists who rose through TikTok and other social platforms. Alex Warren won Best New Artist, outpacing fellow nominees sombr, Lola Young, and Spanish outfit The Marías. Doechii scored the Best Hip-Hop award with “Anxiety,” which samples Gotye’s 2011 hit “Somebody That I Used to Know.” The track’s win felt like a breakthrough moment, overtaking higher-profile contenders Drake and Kendrick Lamar, whose beef-fueled singles have already begun to go past their shelflife.
In the K-pop category, BLACKPINK’s Lisa claimed Best K-pop with “Born Again,” her collaboration with Doja Cat and Raye. The win meant edging out her fellow BLACKPINK sisters, such as Rosé, Jisoo, and Jennie, as well as Aespa, in one of the evening’s tightest races.
LL Cool J served as the host for this year’s VMAs, and performances from Doja Cat, Ricky Martin, and Gaga energized the crowd. The night also honored Mariah Carey with the Video Vanguard Award, celebrating her decades-long career as one of the most enduring figures in pop music.
More than three decades after its first shockwave moments in the early ‘90s, the VMAs remain a space where the culture converges. The show continues to crown pop’s reigning icons, introduce the next wave, and remind audiences why its stage still matters.
