The vma winners were revealed at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, held on September 7 at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. The annual event, broadcast live in the United States on CBS and MTV, was hosted by LL Cool J and celebrated the biggest names in music with historic firsts, powerful performances, and unforgettable victories.
Lady Gaga took home the night’s biggest recognition, winning Artist of the Year. Nominated in 12 categories, Gaga reaffirmed her global dominance and delivered an emotional acceptance speech thanking fans and collaborators. She faced a stacked field of nominees that included Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, Morgan Wallen, and The Weeknd.
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Major Highlights of the Night
- Video of the Year went to Ariana Grande for her hit “Brighter Days Ahead”. The visually stunning video captured themes of hope and renewal, striking a chord with both fans and critics.
- Song of the Year was awarded to ROSÉ and Bruno Mars for “APT.” In a groundbreaking moment, ROSÉ became the first K-Pop artist to ever win Song of the Year at the VMAs, a milestone celebrated worldwide.
- Best New Artist was claimed by Alex Warren, who has quickly risen from online fame to mainstream success.
- Song of the Summer went to Tate McRae for “Just Keep Watching”, a track that dominated charts and social media trends.
- Best Alternative was awarded to sombr for “Back to Friends”, solidifying their place as one of the most exciting rising acts.
- Best Pop Artist went to Sabrina Carpenter, who also delivered one of the most talked-about performances of the evening.
- Best R&B was given to Mariah Carey for “Type Dangerous”. Carey also received the prestigious Video Vanguard Award, celebrating her decades-long career.
- Best K-Pop went to Lisa of BLACKPINK for “Born Again” featuring Doja Cat and Raye. Her win sparked debates online about genre boundaries, but it marked a huge achievement for solo K-Pop performers.
- Best Country was won by Megan Moroney with her heartfelt track “Am I Okay?”.
- Best Afrobeats went to Tyla for “Push 2 Start”, showcasing the growing global impact of the Afrobeats genre.
Special Honors
The ceremony also recognized industry legends with special awards:
- Video Vanguard Award: Mariah Carey, honoring her influence and trailblazing contributions to pop and R&B.
- Rock the Bells Visionary Award: Busta Rhymes, highlighting his impact on hip-hop’s sound and visuals.
- Latin Icon Award: Ricky Martin, celebrating his career-long role in bringing Latin music to a worldwide audience.
Unforgettable Performances
Beyond the list of vma winners, performances were a highlight of the night. Sabrina Carpenter’s set for her song “Tears” included drag performers and bold pro-LGBTQ+ visuals, making it one of the most politically powerful performances in VMA history.
Other standout acts included Doja Cat, Post Malone with Jelly Roll, Alex Warren, and Tate McRae, each bringing energy and creativity that had fans buzzing online long after the show ended.
Key VMA Winners at a Glance
| Award Category | Winner(s) |
|---|---|
| Artist of the Year | Lady Gaga |
| Video of the Year | Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead” |
| Song of the Year | ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” |
| Best New Artist | Alex Warren |
| Song of the Summer | Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching” |
| Best Alternative | sombr – “Back to Friends” |
| Best Pop Artist | Sabrina Carpenter |
| Best R&B | Mariah Carey – “Type Dangerous” |
| Best K-Pop | Lisa – “Born Again” |
| Best Country | Megan Moroney – “Am I Okay?” |
| Best Afrobeats | Tyla – “Push 2 Start” |
| Video Vanguard Award | Mariah Carey |
| Rock the Bells Visionary | Busta Rhymes |
| Latin Icon Award | Ricky Martin |
Why the 2025 VMAs Will Be Remembered
This year’s VMAs will be remembered for its balance of celebrating global superstars and elevating new voices. Lady Gaga’s sweep reinforced her as a generational icon, while ROSÉ’s historic Song of the Year win marked a cultural turning point for K-Pop in the United States.
The introduction of a Best Pop Artist category signaled the VMAs’ effort to keep pace with evolving music landscapes. Sabrina Carpenter’s recognition and performance reflected the rise of young pop artists who are redefining what mainstream music looks and sounds like.
Meanwhile, honoring legends like Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, and Ricky Martin highlighted the show’s commitment to acknowledging both past and present. The blend of classic influence with new innovation made this year’s event stand out from recent ceremonies.
This year’s vma winners proved how diverse, global, and transformative music continues to be. With emotional speeches, groundbreaking firsts, and performances that sparked conversation, the 2025 MTV VMAs delivered a celebration that fans will talk about for years to come.
Which winner or performance was your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments and keep the discussion going.