The MTV VMA 2025 lit up New York’s UBS Arena on Sunday night with a celebration of music’s biggest names and brightest talents. Hosted by LL Cool J, the night combined unforgettable performances with emotional tributes and fierce competition across dozens of categories. Lady Gaga walked away with Artist of the Year, Ariana Grande captured Video of the Year for brighter days ahead, and Sabrina Carpenter claimed both Best Pop Artist and Best Album.
From genre-defining legends to breakthrough newcomers, the MTV VMA 2025 reaffirmed its reputation as one of the industry’s most important global stages.
Major Winners at MTV VMA 2025
- 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
- Best Collaboration – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile
Genre Category Winners
- 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?
Creative & Visual Winners
- Best Album – Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
- Best Long Form Video – Ariana Grande – brighter days ahead
- 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
- Best Choreography – Doechii – Anxiety
- Best Visual Effects – Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
- Best Group – BLACKPINK
- Song of the Summer – Tate McRae – Just Keep Watching
MTV VMA 2025: A Night of Global Music Highlights
With Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Shakira, Coldplay, and BLACKPINK winning big, the MTV VMA 2025 cemented its global impact. Taylor Swift may have left without a trophy, but her nominations and upcoming album The Life of a Showgirl, due in October, highlight her enduring dominance.