The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) unfolded on Sunday, September 7, from New York’s UBS Arena, celebrating music's biggest and most iconic talents. Hosted by LL COOL J, the event marked a significant milestone as it aired live coast-to-coast on CBS for the first time, simulcast on MTV, and streamed on Paramount+ in the U.S. The broadcast commenced at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT. Prior to the main event, a one-hour pre-show hosted by Nessa and Kevan Kenney aired live at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT on MTV and a multitude of other networks, featuring a performance by KATSEYE, who showcased their latest singles “Gnarly” and “Gabriela.”

Leading up to the show, excitement built with several performance and honor announcements. An all-star tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away on July 22 at age 76, was a significant highlight. Steven Tyler & Joe Perry of Aerosmith, YUNGBLUD, and Nuno Bettencourt joined forces to perform a medley of Osbourne's greatest hits. Mariah Carey, fresh off topping the Billboard Hot 100 in 2025, was honored with the prestigious Video Vanguard Award, performing a career-spanning medley of her hits. Busta Rhymes received the MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award, while Ricky Martin was presented with the inaugural Latin Icon Award, both delivering medleys of their own celebrated songs.

The VMAs also saw the Extended Play Stage move in-show for the first time, featuring performances from first-time VMA nominees Bailey Zimmerman (with The Kid LAROI), Lola Young who performed her smash-hit “Messy,” and Megan Moroney who delivered her track “6 Months Later.” Other announced performers included Lady Gaga, Tate McRae, Alex Warren, Sabrina Carpenter, Conan Gray, Doja Cat, J Balvin featuring DJ Snake, Jelly Roll, Post Malone, and sombr. Presenters for the evening included Ashlee Simpson Ross, Brittany Snow, Ciara, Drew Barrymore, Ice Spice, Jessica Simpson, Latto, Livvy Dunne, Malin Ackerman, Meg Stalter, Nikki Glaser, Paris Hilton, and the fictional trio from KPop Demon Hunters, HUNTR/X (voiced by EJAE, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna), whose track “Golden” was the current No. 1 single on the Hot 100.

Lady Gaga led the nominations with an impressive 12 nods, followed closely by her “Die With a Smile” collaborator Bruno Mars with 11. Other top contenders included Kendrick Lamar (10 nominations), Sabrina Carpenter (nine), ROSÉ (eight), Ariana Grande and The Weeknd (seven each), Billie Eilish and Tate McRae (six each), Charli xcx (five), and Alex Warren, Bad Bunny, Doechii, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Miley Cyrus, and Morgan Wallen (four each). The show’s executive production team included Bruce Gillmer, Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic, and Barb Bialkowski, with Gunpowder & Sky CEO Van Toffler returning as producer after a decade, alongside co-executive producer Alicia Portugal, and executive in charge roles for Jackie Barba (production), Wendy Plaut (celebrity talent), and Lisa Lauricella (music talent).

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