2025 MTV VMAs
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MTV VMAs 2025 Live Recap & Highlights

The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards are here!

Top musicians from all over will be honored on this incredible night. Here are the nominees, the presenters, and the performers, and here’s how to watch.

Follow along for live updates throughout the night as awards are handed out!


Video of the Year

LL Cool J announces the Video of the Year award.

Here is who is nominated:

  • 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”


Conan Gray Performs


Best Collaboration

Jessica and Ashlee Simpson announce the Best Collaboration Award.

Here is who is nominated:

  • Bailey Zimmerman with Luke Combs — “Backup Plan (Stagecoach Official Music Video)”
  • Kendrick Lamar & SZA — “luther”
  • Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars — “Die with a Smile”
  • Post Malone featuring Blake Shelton — “Pour Me a Drink”
  • ROSÉ & Bruno Mars — “APT.”
  • Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco — “Sunset Blvd”

Winner: Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars — “Die with a Smile”


Best Pop

Ciara announces the Best Pop Award.

Here is who is nominated:

  • Alex Warren — “Ordinary”
  • Ariana Grande — “brighter days ahead”
  • Ed Sheeran — “Sapphire”
  • Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars — “Die with a Smile”
  • ROSÉ & Bruno Mars — “APT.”
  • Sabrina Carpenter — “Manchild”

Winner: Ariana Grande — “brighter days ahead”


sombr Performs


Megan Moroney Performs

Alix Earle announces Megan Moroney performs, which takes place on the Extended Play Stage to spotlights emerging artists


Best Album

Here is who is nominated:

  • Bad Bunny — “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS”
  • Kendrick Lamar — “GNX”
  • Lady Gaga — “Mayhem”
  • Morgan Wallen — “I’m the Problem”
  • Sabrina Carpenter — “Short n’ Sweet”
  • The Weeknd — “Hurry Up Tomorrow”

Winner: Sabrina Carpenter — “Short n’ Sweet”


J Balvin and DJ Snake Perform


Ozzy Osbourne Tribute

Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, along with YUNGBLUD and Nuno Bettencourt, perform a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away in July. Ozzy’s tribute was introduced by his son Jack and his grandchildren.


Alex Warren Performs

Brittany Snow and Malin Akerman announces a performance from Alex Warren.


Lady Gaga Performs

Lady Gaga, who received the Artist of the Year award earlier in the night, immediately left the show and went to Madison Square Garden for her concert. And while she was there, her performance was shown at the VMAs.


Mariah Carey Performs and Receives The Video Vanguard Award

Mariah Carey performed and then received the 2025 Video Vanguard Award, which was presented to her by Ariana Grande.


Bailey Zimmerman and The Kid LAROI Perform

UFC legend Jon Jones announces a performance from Bailey Zimmerman and The Kid LAROI


Post Malone and Jelly Roll Perform

Post Malone and Jelly Roll perform in Germany as the two are on their “BIG ASS Stadium Tour.” They sang their hit song “Losers.”


MTV Push Performance of the Year

Ice Spice and Latto announce the MTV Push Performance of the Year Award.

Here is who is nominated:

  • August 2024 — Shaboozey — “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
  • September 2024 — Ayra Starr — “Last Heartbreak Song”
  • October 2024 — Mark Ambor — “Belong Together”
  • November 2024 — Lay Bankz — “Graveyard”
  • December 2024 — Dasha — “Bye Bye Bye”
  • January 2025 — KATSEYE — “Touch”
  • February 2025 — Jordan Adetunji — “KEHLANI”
  • March 2025 — Leon Thomas — “YES IT IS”
  • April 2025 — Livingston — “Shadow”
  • May 2025 — Damiano David — “Next Summer”
  • June 2025 — Gigi Perez — “Sailor Song”
  • July 2025 — ROLE MODEL — “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out”

Winner: KATSEYE — “Touch”


Sabrina Carpenter Performs

Sabrina Carpenter performs “Tears” for the first time.


Busta Rhymes Performs and Receives Rock The Bells Visionary Award

LL Cool J introduced Busta Rhymes, who took the stage to perform. He then received the Rock The Bells Visionary Award.


Song of the Year

Paris Hilton announces the award for the 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”), ROSÉ & Bruno Mars (“APT.”), Tate McRae (“Sports Car”), and The Weeknd, Playboi Carti (“Timeless”) were all nominated.

Winner: ROSÉ & Bruno Mars


Tate McRae Performs

Nikki Glaser announces a performance by Tate McRae.


Ricky Martin Performs and Receives Latin Icon Award


Performance by Lola Young

Livvy Dunne introduces Lola Young, who performs on the Extended Play Stage, which spotlights emerging artists.


Artist of the Year

Lenny Kravitz announced the first award for the artist of the year.

Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd were nominated.

Winner: Lady Gaga


Performance By Doja Cat and Kenny G

VMAs host LL Cool J took the stage and after a brief opening, he was interrupted by Doja Cat, who kicked things off with a performance of “Jealous Type.”

Ricky Martin took the stage to perform, and then Jessica Simpson came out to give him the first-ever Latin Icon Award.

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