The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, dubbed “Music’s Most Iconic Night,” took place on Sunday, September 7, live from New York’s UBS Arena. Hosted by LL COOL J, the event aired coast-to-coast at 8:00 p.m., ET/5:00 p.m., PT on CBS, marking the first time the VMAs were broadcast on the network. The show was also simulcast on MTV and streamed on Paramount+ in the U.S.

Ahead of the main ceremony, a one-hour pre-show was hosted by Nessa and Kevan Kenney, featuring a performance by KATSEYE, who showcased their latest singles “Gnarly” and “Gabriela.” This pre-show aired at 7:00 p.m., ET/4:00 p.m., PT across multiple MTV sister channels.

The VMAs stage welcomed an array of prominent artists. A special tribute honored the late Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away on July 22 at age 76. Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler & Joe Perry, YUNGBLUD, and Nuno Bettencourt joined forces to perform a medley of Osbourne’s greatest hits. Other major performers included Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, Tate McRae, Alex Warren, and Sabrina Carpenter, all of whom had topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 2025. Mariah Carey, in addition to performing a career-spanning medley, was also the recipient of this year’s prestigious Video Vanguard Award. The show also featured performances from Conan Gray, Doja Cat, J Balvin featuring DJ Snake, Jelly Roll, Post Malone, and sombr. For the first time, the VMAs Extended Play Stage moved in-show, highlighting first-time VMA nominees such as Bailey Zimmerman featuring The Kid LAROI, Lola Young, and Megan Moroney. Lola Young performed her hit “Messy,” while Megan Moroney performed “6 Months Later.”

Several other legends were honored during the ceremony. Busta Rhymes received the MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award, delivering a medley of his career-spanning songs. Ricky Martin was presented with the inaugural Latin Icon Award, also performing a medley of his megahits. Presenters included Ashlee Simpson Ross, Brittany Snow, Ciara, Drew Barrymore, Ice Spice, Jessica Simpson, Latto, Livvy Dunne, Malin Ackerman, Meg Stalter, Nikki Glaser, and Paris Hilton. The fictional KPop trio HUNTR/X, voiced by EJAE, Rei Ami, and Audrey Nuna, whose song “Golden” was the current No. 1 single on the Hot 100, also served as presenters.

Going into the night, 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), 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).

Lady Gaga proved to be the night’s biggest winner, adding multiple Moon Person trophies to her career total of 18 VMAs. She took home Artist of the Year, Best Art Direction, Best Direction for “Abracadabra,” and Best Collaboration for “Die With a Smile” with Bruno Mars. Ariana Grande also had a triumphant night, securing three victories: Video of the Year and Best Long-Form Video for “Brighter Days Ahead,” along with Best Pop. Sabrina Carpenter also earned three awards: Pop Artist, Album for “Short n’ Sweet,” and Best Visual Effects for “Manchild.” ROSÉ, in collaboration with Bruno Mars, won Song of the Year for their Billboard Hot 100 hit “APT.” Her BLACKPINK bandmate LISA, featuring Doja Cat and RAYE, won Best K-Pop for “Born Again.”

Other notable winners included Alex Warren for Best New Artist, Doechii for Best Hip-Hop with “Anxiety,” Mariah Carey for Best R&B with “Type Dangerous,” sombr for Best Alternative with “Back to Friends,” Coldplay for Best Rock with “All My Love,” Shakira for Best Latin with “Soltera,” Tyla for Best Afrobeats with “Push 2 Start,” and Megan Moroney for Best Country with “Am I Okay?” KATSEYE won MTV Push Performance of the Year for “Touch.” Tate McRae received Best Editing for “Just Keep Watching (From F1 The Movie)” and also won Song of the Summer for the same track. Doechii’s “Anxiety” also earned Best Choreography, and Charli xcx ft. Billie Eilish’s “Guess” was recognized with the Video for Good award. Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” won Best Cinematography.

The 2025 MTV VMAs were executive produced by Bruce Gillmer, Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic, and Barb Bialkowski, with Gunpowder & Sky CEO Van Toffler serving as producer, marking his return after a decade-long absence. Alicia Portugal was co-executive producer, Jackie Barba executive in charge of production, Wendy Plaut executive in charge of celebrity talent, and Lisa Lauricella executive in charge of music talent.