The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) took place on Sunday at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. Hosted by rapper and actor LL Cool J in his second year as emcee.
The ceremony marked several historic firsts: it aired live on CBS for the first time (alongside MTV and streaming on Paramount+), introduced two new fan-voted categories (Best Country and Best Pop Artist), and honored music legends with special awards. The event celebrated music videos and songs released between June 20, 2024, and June 18, 2025, blending high-energy performances, nostalgic tributes, and fan-driven voting.
Special honorees Mariah Carey (Video Vanguard Award, her first VMA ever), Busta Rhymes (inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award), and Ricky Martin (inaugural Latin Icon Award) delivered career-spanning medleys. A poignant tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne included Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, YUNGBLUD, and Nuno Bettencourt performing Black Sabbath hits.
Lady Gaga emerged as the night's top winner with four Moon Person trophies, building on her 18 prior VMAs wins and solidifying her pop dominance. She won Artist of the Year (dedicated to her fiancé Michael Polansky), Best Direction and Best Art Direction for "Abracadabra," and Best Collaboration for "Die with a Smile" with Bruno Mars.