Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, and Rosé Shine Bright at MTV VMAs 2025: Full Winners List Unveiled
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The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards lit up the night on September 7 at UBS Arena, with LL Cool J returning as host. It was a milestone broadcast-the first to air simultaneously on CBS and MTV, and stream on Paramount-marking a new era for global VMA viewership. Lady Gaga led the field with an impressive 12 nominations, translating them into four trophy wins. Ariana Grande was a highlight as well, nabbing both Video of the Year and Best Pop Video for ‘Brighter Days Ahead’. Fresh faces made waves too: Alex Warren earned Best New Artist, while Sabrina Carpenter and Rosé landed major honors. Legacy acts weren’t left out-Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, and Ricky Martin received prestigious career awards. New fan-voted categories, Best Country and Best Pop Artist, debuted and immediately made their mark. Across genres and generations, the VMAs delivered a night balancing innovation, nostalgia, and boundary-pushing artistry.
Gaga Reigns Supreme, Four Moon Persons Deep
Lady Gaga dominated the 2025 VMAs, walking away with four awards, including the coveted Artist of the Year and Best Collaboration for ‘Die With a Smile’ with Bruno Mars. Her win in the top category placed her ahead of heavyweights like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Despite leaving UBS Arena early to perform her concert at Madison Square Garden, Gaga made a memorable impact and later dedicated her win to her fiancé, Michael Polansky, calling him her “partner in all things.”
Grande & Rosé Lead Creative Victories
Ariana Grande scored two of the night’s most significant wins: Video of the Year and Best Pop Video for ‘Brighter Days Ahead’. Meanwhile, Rosé made history as the first K‑Pop soloist to win Song of the Year alongside Bruno Mars for ‘APT’. The triumph highlighted music’s global reach and the shifting dynamics of pop dominance.
Rising Stars Shine Bright
Newcomer Alex Warren claimed Best New Artist, a clear signal that fresh talent is thriving on the VMA stage. Sabrina Carpenter shone as well, winning Best Pop Artist and snagging Best Visual Effects for her video ‘Manchild’. Tate McRae starred in technical categories, securing Song of Summer and Best Editing, proving that innovation behind the lens matters just as much as performance.
Honoring Legends: Icons Take the Stage
This year’s VMAs paid tribute to musical greats: Mariah Carey finally won her first VMA while accepting the Video Vanguard Award, delivering a medley of her hits in a standout moment. Busta Rhymes received the Rock the Bells Visionary Award, and Ricky Martin was named the Latin Icon, each celebrated for richly deserved legacies in music.
Genre Expansion & Global Representation
The 2025 VMAs expanded with new categories and broad representation: Best Country and Best Pop Artist debuted, with Megan Moroney winning Best Country for ‘Am I Okay?’, and global genres honored across the board. Additional winners included Lisa for Best K‑Pop, Tyla for Best Afrobeats, Shakira for Best Latin, Sombr for Best Alternative, Coldplay for Best Rock, and Doechii for both Best Hip‑Hop and Choreography. It was a colorful celebration of musical diversity on one stage.
Gaga Reigns Supreme, Four Moon Persons Deep
Lady Gaga dominated the 2025 VMAs, walking away with four awards, including the coveted Artist of the Year and Best Collaboration for ‘Die With a Smile’ with Bruno Mars. Her win in the top category placed her ahead of heavyweights like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Despite leaving UBS Arena early to perform her concert at Madison Square Garden, Gaga made a memorable impact and later dedicated her win to her fiancé, Michael Polansky, calling him her “partner in all things.”
Grande & Rosé Lead Creative Victories
Ariana Grande scored two of the night’s most significant wins: Video of the Year and Best Pop Video for ‘Brighter Days Ahead’. Meanwhile, Rosé made history as the first K‑Pop soloist to win Song of the Year alongside Bruno Mars for ‘APT’. The triumph highlighted music’s global reach and the shifting dynamics of pop dominance.
Rising Stars Shine Bright
Newcomer Alex Warren claimed Best New Artist, a clear signal that fresh talent is thriving on the VMA stage. Sabrina Carpenter shone as well, winning Best Pop Artist and snagging Best Visual Effects for her video ‘Manchild’. Tate McRae starred in technical categories, securing Song of Summer and Best Editing, proving that innovation behind the lens matters just as much as performance.
Honoring Legends: Icons Take the Stage
This year’s VMAs paid tribute to musical greats: Mariah Carey finally won her first VMA while accepting the Video Vanguard Award, delivering a medley of her hits in a standout moment. Busta Rhymes received the Rock the Bells Visionary Award, and Ricky Martin was named the Latin Icon, each celebrated for richly deserved legacies in music.
Genre Expansion & Global Representation
The 2025 VMAs expanded with new categories and broad representation: Best Country and Best Pop Artist debuted, with Megan Moroney winning Best Country for ‘Am I Okay?’, and global genres honored across the board. Additional winners included Lisa for Best K‑Pop, Tyla for Best Afrobeats, Shakira for Best Latin, Sombr for Best Alternative, Coldplay for Best Rock, and Doechii for both Best Hip‑Hop and Choreography. It was a colorful celebration of musical diversity on one stage.
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