2025 MTV VMAs: Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Tyla shine — full list of winners

2025 MTV VMAs: Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Tyla shine — full list of winners
The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards delivered a night of surprises, powerhouse performances, and history-making wins on Sunday, live from UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
Pop superstar Ariana Grande scored one of the night’s biggest moments when her visual for “Brighter Days Ahead” claimed Video of the Year, adding to a trio of trophies she carried home by the end of the ceremony.
But it was Lady Gaga who topped the winners’ list with four Moon Person statues, including the coveted Artist of the Year title. Gaga’s victory came just 48 hours after she abruptly canceled a Miami concert due to vocal strain. In her speech, she thanked fans before rushing off to Madison Square Garden, where she had a show scheduled the same evening. Roughly 90 minutes later, the VMAs audience saw her electrifying MSG performance of “Abracadabra” and “The Dead Dance” broadcast into the telecast.
Sabrina Carpenter matched Grande with three wins of her own, securing Album of the Year for Short n’ Sweet.
Other standout moments included:
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Rosé taking home Song of the Year for her Bruno Mars collaboration “APT.”
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KATSEYE winning MTV Push Performance of the Year for “Touch.”
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Gaga and Bruno Mars sharing the stage as winners of Best Collaboration for “Die With a Smile.”
The VMAs also spotlighted icons across generations. Mariah Carey received the Video Vanguard Award, Busta Rhymes was honored with the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award, and Ricky Martin became the first-ever recipient of the Latin Icon Award. Each honoree celebrated with a live performance that brought the crowd to its feet.
This year’s edition introduced two brand-new categories: Best Pop Artist and Best Country Video, signaling MTV’s effort to broaden its recognition of genre diversity.
Hosted by LL Cool J, the ceremony aired simultaneously on CBS, MTV, and Paramount+ Premium, marking a milestone for the show’s reach. Behind the scenes, the 2025 VMAs were produced by former MTV chief Van Toffler’s Gunpowder & Sky in partnership with Den of Thieves.
It was an evening that celebrated both the future and the legacy of music, proving the VMAs remain one of pop culture’s most unforgettable stages.
Below is the full list of winners:
Video of the Year
Ariana Grande, “Brighter Days Ahead” (WINNER)
Billie Eilish, “Birds of a Feather”
Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us”
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars, “Die With A Smile”
Rosé & Bruno Mars, “APT.”
Sabrina Carpenter, “Manchild”
The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, “Timeless”
Artist of the Year
Bad Bunny
Beyoncé
Kendrick Lamar
Lady Gaga (WINNER)
Morgan Wallen
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Song of the Year
Alex Warren, “Ordinary”
Billie Eilish, “Birds of a Feather”
Doechii, “Anxiety”
Ed Sheeran, “Sapphire”
Gracie Abrams, “I Love You, I’m Sorry”
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars, “Die With A Smile”
Lorde, “What Was That”
Rosé & Bruno Mars, “APT.” (WINNER)
Tate McRae, “Sports Car”
The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, “Timeless”
Best New Artist
Alex Warren (WINNER)
Ella Langley
Gigi Perez
Lola Young
Sombr
The Marías
Best Pop Artist
Ariana Grande
Charli xcx
Justin Bieber
Lorde
Miley Cyrus
Sabrina Carpenter (WINNER)
Tate McRae
MTV Push Performance of the Year
September 2024: Ayra Starr, “Last Heartbreak Song”
October 2024: Mark Ambor, “Belong Together”
November 2024: Lay Bankz, “Graveyard”
December 2024: Dasha, “Bye Bye Bye”
January 2025: KATSEYE, “Touch” (WINNER)
February 2025: Jordan Adetunji, “Kehlani”
March 2025: Leon Thomas, “Yes It Is”
April 2025: Livingston, “Shadow”
May 2025: Damiano David, “Next Summer”
June 2025: Gigi Perez, “Sailor Song”
July 2025: Role Model, “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out”
Best Collaboration
Bailey Zimmerman with Luke Combs, “Backup Plan (Stagecoach Official Music Video)”
Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “luther”
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars, “Die With a Smile” (WINNER)
Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton, “Pour Me a Drink”
Rosé & Bruno Mars, “APT.”
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco, “Sunset Blvd”
Best Pop
Alex Warren, “Ordinary”
Ariana Grande, “Brighter Days Ahead” (WINNER)
Ed Sheeran, “Sapphire”
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars, “Die With A Smile”
Rosé & Bruno Mars, “APT.”
Sabrina Carpenter, “Manchild”
Best Hip-Hop
Doechii, “Anxiety” (WINNER)
Drake, “Nokia”
Eminem ft. Jelly Roll, “Somebody Save Me”
GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red, “Whatchu Kno About Me”
Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us”
LL Cool J ft. Eminem, “Murdergram Deux”
Travis Scott, “4X4”
Best R&B
Chris Brown, “Residuals”
Leon Thomas & Freddie Gibbs, “Mutt (Remix)”
Mariah Carey, “Type Dangerous” (WINNER)
Partynextdoor – “No Chill”
Summer Walker, “Heart Of A Woman”
SZA, “Drive”
The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, “Timeless”
Best Alternative
Gigi Perez, “Sailor Song”
Imagine Dragons, “Wake Up”
Lola Young, “Messy”
mgk & Jelly Roll, “Lonely Road”
Sombr, “Back to Friends” (WINNER)
The Marías, “Back To Me”