The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards lit up Sunday night with a mix of nostalgia, powerhouse performances, and big wins.
Doja Cat kicked things off in true retro style, channeling the 1980s cult character Max Headroom on a giant screen before sax legend Kenny G escorted her on stage for a synth-heavy performance of “Jealous Type” — complete with a keytar straight out of MTV’s early days.
Heading into the night, Lady Gaga led the pack with 12 nominations, followed closely by Bruno Mars (11), Kendrick Lamar (10), and ROSÉ and Sabrina Carpenter (eight each). It’s the third time Gaga has topped the nominee list, a feat she also achieved in 2010 and 2020.
And she didn’t just lead in nominations — Gaga snagged the first Moon Person of the night, Artist of the Year, presented by rock icon Lenny Kravitz.
“I hope as you navigate through the mayhem of daily life, you are reminded of the importance of the art of your life,” Gaga told the crowd. “You deserve a stage to shine on, and I give you all my applause. Thank you, Little Monsters.”
Other big names in the running included Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, Bad Bunny, and Doechii. Performances from Doja Cat, Post Malone, and Jelly Roll kept the energy high.
For the first time ever, the VMAs aired live on CBS, with LL Cool J hosting and Paramount+ streaming the event.
🏆 Key Categories & 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”
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Bad Bunny
- Beyoncé
- Kendrick Lamar
- Lady Gaga — WINNER
- Morgan Wallen
- Taylor Swift
- The Weeknd
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.” — WINNER
- Tate McRae – “Sports Car”
- The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless”
BEST NEW ARTIST
- Alex Warren
- Ella Langley
- Gigi Perez
- Lola Young
- sombr
- The Marías
BEST POP ARTIST
- Ariana Grande
- Charli XCX
- Justin Bieber
- Lorde
- Miley Cyrus
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Tate McRae
BEST ALBUM
- 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”
BEST COLLABORATION
- Bailey Zimmerman & Luke Combs – “Backup Plan”
- Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “luther”
- Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile”
- Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton – “Pour Me A Drink”
- ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.”
- Selena Gomez & benny blanco – “Sunset Blvd”
BEST POP
- 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”
BEST HIP-HOP
- Doechii – “Anxiety”
- Drake – “NOKIA”
- Eminem ft. Jelly Roll – “Somebody Save Me”
- GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red – “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME”
- Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
- LL COOL J ft. Eminem – “Murdergram Deux”
- Travis Scott – “4X4”
BEST R&B
- Chris Brown – “Residuals”
- Leon Thomas & Freddie Gibbs – “MUTT (REMIX)”
- Mariah Carey – “Type Dangerous”
- PARTYNEXTDOOR – “N o C h i l l”
- Summer Walker – “Heart Of A Woman”
- SZA – “Drive”
- The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless”
