2025 MTV Video Music Awards

42nd edition of the MTV Video Music Awards held in 2025

4 min read

The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards were held at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on September 7, 2025. It was broadcast for the first time on CBS and available to stream on Paramount+ with a simulcast on MTV. The show was hosted by rapper and actor LL Cool J. The pre-show was aired on MTV and select sister cable networks with hosts Nessa and Kevan Kenney.

The ceremony recognized outstanding music videos and songs released between June 20, 2024, and June 18, 2025. Best Country—carried over from the CMT Music Awards' Video of the Year category—and the newly introduced Best Pop Artist were both determined by fan voting. Lady Gaga led all nominees with twelve nominations and won four awards, making her the night's most awarded artist. Ariana Grande's Brighter Days Ahead won Video of the Year, while Rosé's "APT." received Song of the Year honors. Mariah Carey was presented with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award by Grande. Two additional special honors were introduced: Busta Rhymes received the Rock the Bells Visionary Award, and Ricky Martin was named Latin Icon. The broadcast achieved a 42% increase in viewership over the previous year, marking its highest ratings in six years.

Performances

Pre-show

Katseye was announced as a performer for the pre-show on September 2, 2025.

Main show

The first round of performers were announced on August 18, 2025. Mariah Carey was announced on August 21. The second round was announced on August 26. Lady Gaga was announced on August 30. On September 5, performers for the Ozzy Osbourne tribute were announced.

Extended Play stage

Extended Play stage performers were announced on September 2, 2025.

Presenters

Presenters were announced on September 2, 2025.

Pre-show

Nessa – presented Best New Artist and Song of Summer
Kevan Kenney – presented Best R&B and Best Alternative

Main show

Lenny Kravitz – presented Artist of the Year
Livvy Dunne – introduced Lola Young and the Extended Play Stage
J Balvin – introduced Ricky Martin
Jessica Simpson – presented the Latin Icon Award
Nikki Glaser – introduced Tate McRae
Paris Hilton – presented Song of the Year
LL Cool J – introduced Busta Rhymes and presented the Rock the Bells Visionary Award
Ice Spice and Latto – presented Push Performance of the Year
Luke Grimes – introduced Post Malone and Jelly Roll
Jon Jones – introduced Bailey Zimmerman and The Kid Laroi
Ariana Grande – introduced Mariah Carey and presented the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award
Rosé – introduced Lady Gaga
Brittany Snow and Malin Akerman – introduced Alex Warren
Jack Osbourne – introduced the Ozzy Osbourne tribute
GloRilla – introduced J Balvin, Justin Quiles, Lenny Tavárez and DJ Snake
Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami – presented Best Album
Alix Earle – introduced Megan Moroney
Megan Stalter – introduced Sombr
Ciara – presented Best Pop
Ashlee Simpson Ross and Jessica Simpson – presented Best Collaboration
Katseye – introduced Conan Gray
LL Cool J – presented Video of the Year

Winners and nominees

The nominees were announced on August 5, 2025, with two new award categories–Best Country and Best Pop Artist. The nominees in the social categories–Best Group and Song of Summer–were announced on August 29. Lady Gaga led with twelve nominations. She is followed by Bruno Mars with eleven, Kendrick Lamar with ten, Sabrina Carpenter with nine, Rosé with eight, Ariana Grande with seven, Billie Eilish, Tate McRae and The Weeknd with six each, Charli XCX with five, and Alex Warren, Bad Bunny, Doechii, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Miley Cyrus and Morgan Wallen with four each. Gaga was the night's biggest winner, receiving four awards, followed by Grande and Carpenter with three award each, while Mars, McRae, Doechii and Mariah Carey received two each.

Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

Voted categories

The winners of the following categories are chosen by fan votes. The first round of voting, known as the "General Voting Period", began on August 5 at 12:00 p.m. ET for the categories which nominees were announced on the same day, and concluded on September 5 at 6 p.m. ET. Voting for Best New Artist continues until the end of the ceremony.

Professional categories

The winners of the following categories were chosen by industry professionals.

Special awards

The recipients of the Rock the Bells Visionary and Latin Icon awards were announced on August 18, 2025. The recipient of the Video Vanguard was announced on August 21.