MTV VMAs 2025 Full Winners List | Complete Recap

• Sep 08, 2025
• zetta news

The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) took place on September 7, 2025, at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. The event celebrated the biggest names and emerging talents in music, showcasing incredible performances, unforgettable moments, and notable award wins. This year’s ceremony, hosted by LL Cool J, brought together an array of artists from different genres, highlighting both international and American music scenes. Broadcast live on CBS and MTV, the 2025 VMAs marked one of the most anticipated award shows of the year.

Major Winners of the Night

Artist of the Year

Lady Gaga was the standout winner of the night, taking home the coveted Artist of the Year award. With 12 nominations, she also earned recognition for Best Collaboration with Bruno Mars for their song “Die With a Smile”, and Best Direction for her music video “Abracadabra”. Lady Gaga’s success this year reaffirmed her status as one of the most influential artists in contemporary music.

Video of the Year

Ariana Grande won Video of the Year for her emotionally charged and visually captivating music video “Brighter Days Ahead”. The video addressed themes of resilience, hope, and personal growth, earning both critical acclaim and widespread fan appreciation.

Song of the Year

In a historic moment, ROSÉ of BLACKPINK won Song of the Year for her collaboration with Bruno Mars, titled “APT.”. This achievement marked ROSÉ as the first K-pop soloist to win this prestigious category, highlighting the increasing global influence of K-pop on the international music scene.

Best New Artist

The Best New Artist award went to Alex Warren, who rose to fame through viral hits on TikTok. His rapid ascent illustrates how social media platforms continue to shape the careers of emerging musicians and redefine pathways to stardom.

Best Album

Sabrina Carpenter claimed the award for Best Album with her work “Short n' Sweet”. The album blends pop and indie influences with introspective lyrics, cementing Carpenter’s reputation as a versatile and innovative artist.

Genre-Specific Awards

The 2025 VMAs also celebrated excellence across various musical genres:

• Best Pop Artist: Sabrina Carpenter, recognized for her consistent impact in contemporary pop music.

• Best Hip-Hop: Doechii won for “Anxiety”, demonstrating a fresh approach to introspective hip-hop music.

• Best R&B: Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” dominated this category, reflecting his ongoing influence and artistry.

• Best Country: Megan Moroney’s heartfelt track “Am I Okay?” captured the essence of modern country storytelling.

Global Representation

The VMAs 2025 emphasized diversity and international appeal:

• Best K-Pop: LISA’s collaboration with Doja Cat & RAYE earned recognition, showing K-pop’s growing reach.

• Best Afrobeats: Tyla’s “Water” highlighted the genre’s increasing presence on the global music stage.

Lifetime Achievement and Special Awards

Several artists were honored for their contributions to music over the years:

• Video Vanguard Award: Mariah Carey, acknowledging her decades-long impact on music videos and pop culture.

• Rock the Bells Visionary Award: Busta Rhymes, honoring his influence in hip-hop and innovation in the genre.

• Latin Icon Award: Ricky Martin, celebrating his role in bringing Latin music to worldwide audiences.

Memorable Performances

The performances at the 2025 VMAs were as much a highlight as the awards themselves:

• Lady Gaga delivered a theatrical rendition of “Die With a Smile”, combining high-energy choreography with powerful vocals.

• Ariana Grande captivated viewers with “Brighter Days Ahead”, offering a visually stunning and emotionally resonant performance.

• Doja Cat brought her signature energy, blending versatility with memorable stage presence.

• Sabrina Carpenter performed “Manchild”, combining artistry with compelling visual storytelling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Who won the most awards at the 2025 VMAs?
Lady Gaga was the biggest winner, taking home four awards, including Artist of the Year and Best Collaboration.

Q2: What was historic about ROSÉ’s win?
ROSÉ became the first K-pop soloist to win Song of the Year for her collaboration with Bruno Mars on “APT.”.

Q3: Where was the 2025 VMAs held?
The ceremony took place at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.

Q4: Which artists received lifetime achievement or special recognition awards?
Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes