The 2025 VMA’s lit up the UBS Arena in New York on Sunday, September 7, with unforgettable performances, emotional tributes, and a star-studded list of winners. Hosted by LL Cool J, the night celebrated artists across every genre, with Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, and ROSÉ among the evening’s biggest names.
The 2025 VMA’s: Big Wins for Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga
One of the night’s top honors, Video of the Year, went to Ariana Grande for her inspiring track “Brighter Days Ahead.” Grande also scored Best Pop, marking a triumphant comeback.
Lady Gaga, who entered the show with a leading 12 nominations, walked away with Artist of the Year and Best Collaboration with Bruno Mars for “Die With A Smile.”
See the full list of winners below.
2025 VMA’s: Video of the Year
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Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead” – WINNER
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ROSÉ and Bruno Mars – “APT.”
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Billie Eilish – “Birds of a Feather”
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Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
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Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
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The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless”
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Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile”
Artist of the Year
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Lady Gaga – WINNER
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Bad Bunny
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Beyoncé
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Kendrick Lamar
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Morgan Wallen
Best New Artist
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Alex Warren – WINNER
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Ella Langley
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Gigi Perez
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Lola Young
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sombr
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The Marías
Latin Icon Award
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Ricky Martin – WINNER
Best Country
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Megan Moroney – “Am I Okay?” – WINNER
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Chris Stapleton – “Think I’m In Love With You”
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Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood – “I’m Gonna Love You”
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Jelly Roll – “Liar”
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Lainey Wilson – “4x4xU”
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Morgan Wallen – “Smile”
Song of the Year
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ROSÉ and Bruno Mars – “APT.” – WINNER
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Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
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Billie Eilish – “Birds of a Feather”
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Doechii – “Anxiety”
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Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire”
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Gracie Abrams – “I Love You, I’m Sorry”
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Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile”
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Lorde – “What Was That”
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Tate McRae – “Sports Car”
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The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless”
2025 VMA’s: Best R&B
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Mariah Carey – “Type Dangerous” – WINNER
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Chris Brown – “Residuals”
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Leon Thomas and Freddie Gibbs – “MUTT (Remix)”
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PARTYNEXTDOOR – “N o C h i l l”
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Summer Walker – “Heart of a Woman”
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SZA – “Drive”
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The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless”
Video Vanguard Award
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Mariah Carey – WINNER
Best Alternative
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Sombr – “Back to Friends” – WINNER
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Gigi Perez – “Sailor Song”
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Imagine Dragons – “Wake Up”
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Lola Young – “Messy”
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MGK and Jelly Roll – “Lonely Road”
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The Marías – “Back to Me”
2025 VMA’s: Song of Summer
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Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching” – WINNER
(full nominee list included 15+ artists such as Addison Rae, Chappell Roan, Justin Bieber, Doja Cat, Sabrina Carpenter, and more)
Rock the Bells Visionary Award
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Busta Rhymes – WINNER
PUSH Performance of the Year
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Katseye – “Touch” – WINNER
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Shaboozey – “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
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Ayra Starr – “Last Heartbreak Song”
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Mark Ambor – “Belong Together”
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Lay Bankz – “Graveyard”
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and more
Best K-pop
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LISA ft. Doja Cat and RAYE – “Born Again” – WINNER
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aespa – “Whiplash”
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JENNIE – “like JENNIE”
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Jimin – “Who”
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JISOO – “earthquake”
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ROSÉ – “toxic till the end”
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Stray Kids – “Chk Chk Boom”
Best Afrobeats
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Tyla – “PUSH 2 START” – WINNER
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Asake and Travis Scott – “Active”
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Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott – “TaTaTa”
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Rema – “Baby (Is It A Crime)”
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Tems ft. Asake – “Get It Right”
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Wizkid ft. Brent Faiyaz – “Piece of My Heart”
Best Album
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Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet – WINNER
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Bad Bunny – DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
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Kendrick Lamar – GNX
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Lady Gaga – Mayhem
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Morgan Wallen – I’m The Problem
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The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow
2025 VMA’s: Best Collaboration
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Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile” – WINNER
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Bailey Zimmerman with Luke Combs – “Backup Plan”
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Kendrick Lamar and SZA – “Luther”
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Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton – “Pour Me A Drink”
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ROSÉ and Bruno Mars – “APT.”
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Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco – “Sunset Blvd”
Best Pop
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Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead” – WINNER
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Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
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Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire”
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Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile”
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ROSÉ and Bruno Mars – “APT.”
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Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
Best Hip-Hop
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Doechii – “Anxiety” – WINNER
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Drake – “NOKIA”
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Eminem ft. Jelly Roll – “Somebody Save Me”
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GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red – “Whatchu Kno About Me”
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Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
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LL COOL J ft. Eminem – “Murdergram Deux”
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Travis Scott – “4X4”
Best Pop Artist
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Sabrina Carpenter – WINNER
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Ariana Grande
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Tate McRae
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Charli XCX
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Justin Bieber
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Lorde
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Miley Cyrus
Best Latin
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Shakira – “Soltera” – WINNER
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Bad Bunny – “Baile Inolvidable”
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J Balvin – “Rio”
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KAROL G – “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”
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Peso Pluma and Netón Vega – “La Patrulla”
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Rauw Alejandro and Romeo Santos – “Khé?”
2025 VMA’s: Best Group
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Blackpink – WINNER
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aespa
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Backstreet Boys
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Coldplay
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Imagine Dragons
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Jonas Brothers
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Seventeen
(and more nominees across rock, K-pop, and Latin groups)
Best Rock
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Coldplay – “ALL MY LOVE” – WINNER
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Evanescence – “Afterlife”
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Green Day – “One Eyed Bastard”
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Lenny Kravitz – “Honey”
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Linkin Park – “The Emptiness Machine”
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Twenty One Pilots – “The Contract”
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