The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards took place on Sunday, September 8, at the UBS Arena in New York. The ceremony was hosted by rapper LL Cool J, celebrating the biggest names and moments in music.
Ariana Grande was crowned Video of the Year for her song “Brighter Days Ahead”, taking home one of the night’s top honors. She earned a total of three awards during the show.
Lady Gaga emerged as the night’s biggest winner, winning four awards, including Artist of the Year, showcasing her dominance in the music scene.
Sabrina Carpenter also had a successful evening, winning three Moon Person trophies, including Album of the Year for Short n’ Sweet.
Other notable winners included Rosé, who earned Song of the Year with her collaboration with Bruno Mars on “APT.”, and KATSEYE, who won MTV Push Performance of the Year for “Touch.” Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars also took home Best Collaboration for “Die With a Smile.”
Special awards were handed out as well: Mariah Carey received the Video Vanguard Award, Busta Rhymes got the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award, and Ricky Martin was honored with the first-ever Latin Icon Award.
Here’s the complete list of winners from the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards:
Video of the Year: Ariana Grande, Brighter Days Ahead
Artist of the Year: Lady Gaga
Song of the Year: Rosé & Bruno Mars, APT.
Best New Artist: Alex Warren
Best Pop Artist: Sabrina Carpenter
MTV Push Performance of the Year: KATSEYE, Touch
Best Collaboration: Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars, Die With a Smile
Best Pop: Ariana Grande, Brighter Days Ahead
Best Hip-Hop: Doechii, Anxiety
Best R&B: Mariah Carey, Type Dangerous
Best Alternative: Sombr, Back to Friends
Best Rock: Coldplay, All My Love
Best Latin: Shakira, Soltera
Best K-pop: Lisa ft. Doja Cat & Raye, Born Again
Best Afrobeats: Tyla, Push 2 Start
Best Country: Megan Moroney, Am I Okay?
Best Album: Sabrina Carpenter, Short n’ Sweet
Best Longform Video: Ariana Grande, Brighter Days Ahead
Best Group: BLACKPINK
Song of the Summer: Tate McRae, Just Keep Watching (From F1: The Movie)
Video for Good: Charli XCX, Guess featuring Billie Eilish
Best Direction: Lady Gaga, Abracadabra
Best Art Direction: Lady Gaga, Abracadabra
Best Cinematography: Kendrick Lamar, Not Like Us
Best Editing: Tate McRae, Just Keep Watching (From F1: The Movie)
Best Choreography: Doechii, Anxiety
Best Visual Effects: Sabrina Carpenter, Manchild
