MTV VMAs 2025: A Night of Milestone Achievements, Tributes, and Groundbreaking Performances
Star-Studded Evening at UBS Arena
The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards aired live from Long Island’s UBS Arena on September 7, with the ceremony being broadcast on CBS and simulcast on MTV, while also streaming on Paramount+. The night’s biggest winners were Lady Gaga, who dominated with four awards, followed by Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter, who each secured three awards.
Major Awards and Achievements
Ariana Grande claimed the night’s most prestigious award – Video of the Year, while Lady Gaga secured Artist of the Year, and Sabrina Carpenter won Best Album. In a historic moment, Mariah Carey, the 2025 Video Vanguard Award recipient, performed her hits including ‘Obsessed’ and ‘It’s Like That,’ while also accepting her first-ever VMA for Best R&B for ‘Type Dangerous’.
Memorable Performances and Tributes
A touching tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away at 76 on July 22, was presented by his son Jack and grandchildren. The tribute featured Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, alongside Yungblud and Nuno Bettencourt, who performed a medley of Osbourne’s greatest hits from both his solo career and Black Sabbath, including ‘Crazy Train,’ ‘Mama, I’m Coming Home’ and ‘Changes’.
Historic Firsts and New Categories
Grammy winner and former Video Vanguard recipient LL Cool J made history as the show’s first solo host, having previously co-hosted in 2022. The awards show welcomed first-time nominees including Rosé, Warren, Lola Young, the Marias, Gigi Perez, and Damiano David, while Mac Miller earned his first posthumous nomination. The ceremony also introduced two new categories: Best Country and Best Pop Artist.
