The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards became a showcase of influential female pop artists, featuring Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Rosé, and Mariah Carey in the spotlight in New York. LL Cool J hosted the event at UBS Arena, impressing the audience with performances by various artists including Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, J Balvin with DJ Snake, Post Malone, Jelly Roll, Conan Gray, and Tate McRae.
Lady Gaga secured the top award of Artist of the Year, while Rosé from BLACKPINK and Bruno Mars won Song of the Year for their hit “APT”. Ariana Grande also stood out, winning Video of the Year and Best Pop for “Brighter Days Ahead” and humorously acknowledging “my therapists and gay people” in her acceptance speech.
Mariah Carey, an iconic figure in pop music, received the prestigious Video Vanguard Award, solidifying her status as one of the genre’s most impactful voices. The event also paid tribute to Busta Rhymes with the Rock the Bells Visionary Award and honored Ricky Martin as the Latin Icon. With a lineup of notable winners, captivating live performances, and a global focus on artistry, the VMAs once again demonstrated their significance as a premier platform for music and culture.
The complete list of winners at the 2025 MTV VMAs, according to Rolling Stone, includes Ariana Grande for Video of the Year with “Brighter Days Ahead”, Lady Gaga for Artist of the Year, and Rosé & Bruno Mars for Song of the Year with “APT”, among other award recipients in various categories.