The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards will feature significant returns and new recognitions for music legends. Lady Gaga tops the nominee list with 12 nods and will perform for the first time since 2020. Mariah Carey receives the Video Vanguard Award after a 20-year absence from the event. The show introduces new categories and awards, reflecting the evolving music landscape. Hosted by LL COOL J, the ceremony airs live on September 7 from New York’s UBS Arena.
Lady Gaga Dominates with 12 Nominations and Performance
Lady Gaga leads the 2025 MTV VMAs with 12 nominations. This includes categories like Video of the Year and Artist of the Year. Her collaboration with Bruno Mars on “Die With a Smile” earned multiple nods. Gaga’s own tracks “Abracadabra” and songs from her album “Mayhem” also received recognition. This is the third time she has been the top nominee in VMA history, showing her lasting impact.
Gaga will perform at the event, marking her first VMA stage appearance in five years. Her previous performances, like “Paparazzi” in 2009 and “Rain on Me” in 2020, are well remembered. This year, she is expected to showcase her new single “The Dead Dance,” set for release on September 3. The song will also feature in the Netflix series “Wednesday,” where Gaga has a cameo role. Her performance promises to blend her theatrical style with new music.
Gaga expressed her excitement at a Netflix event, saying, “I’m thrilled to release this song alongside Wednesday. I’m a huge fan of the show and had so much fun appearing in it to support ‘The Dead Dance.’”
Gaga’s current Mayhem Ball Tour adds to her busy schedule. The tour visits cities like Miami, New York, and London. Her return to the VMAs is a highlight of her successful year.
Mariah Carey Receives Video Vanguard Award After 20 Years
Mariah Carey is being honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2025 VMAs. This award recognizes her outstanding contributions to music video artistry. Carey has not appeared at the VMAs for two decades, making this a special return. She will also perform a medley of her greatest hits during the show.
Carey’s history with the VMAs includes memorable moments. In 1991, she performed “Emotions” with her famous five-octave range. In 1998, she shared the stage with Whitney Houston in a memorable fashion moment. Her last VMA performance was in 2005, featuring “We Belong Together.” This year’s appearance coincides with the 20th anniversary of her album “The Emancipation of Mimi.”
Carey’s influence includes iconic music videos for songs like “Honey” and “We Belong Together.” She has sold over 220 million albums worldwide and achieved 19 Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. Her new album “Here For It All” releases on September 26, with the single “Type Dangerous” nominated for Best R&B at the VMAs.
New Awards and Categories Debut at the Ceremony
The 2025 VMAs introduce new awards and categories. Busta Rhymes will receive the MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award. He will also perform during the event. Ricky Martin is the first recipient of the Latin Icon Award, highlighting Latin music’s global impact.
A new Best Country category acknowledges the genre’s growing influence. Nominees include Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, and Morgan Wallen. This addition follows other genre-specific categories like Best K-Pop and Best Afrobeats.
The Extended Play Stage will feature within the main show for the first time. It showcases first-time nominees Bailey Zimmerman with The Kid LAROI, Lola Young, and Megan Moroney. This platform offers visibility to emerging artists.
Star-Studded Performers and Presenters Lineup
The performers list includes major stars like Doja Cat, Sabrina Carpenter, and Post Malone. Tate McRae, Alex Warren, and J Balvin with DJ Snake will also take the stage. KATSEYE, a K-pop girl group, will perform during the pre-show. They are nominated for Best Group and MTV Push Performance of the Year.
Presenters include well-known names from music and entertainment. Jessica Simpson, Ashlee Simpson Ross, and Paris Hilton will present awards. The fictional K-pop trio HUNTR/X, voiced by EJAE, Rei Ami, and Audrey Nuna, will also appear. Their song “Golden” currently tops the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
LL COOL J hosts the VMAs for the first time. He is a Grammy-winning artist and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. His role as host adds to the event’s excitement.
Performers
- Alex Warren
- Bailey Zimmerman feat. The Kid LAROI (Extended Play Stage)
- Busta Rhymes (VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award)
- Conan Gray
- Doja Cat
- J Balvin featuring DJ Snake
- Jelly Roll
- KATSEYE (Pre-Show)
- Lady Gaga
- Lola Young (Extended Play Stage)
- Mariah Carey (MTV Video Vanguard Award)
- Megan Moroney (Extended Play Stage)
- Post Malone
- Tate McRae
- Ricky Martin (Latin Icon Award)
- Sabrina Carpenter
- sombr
Presenters
- Ashlee Simpson Ross
- Brittany Snow
- Ciara
- Drew Barrymore
- KPop Demon Hunter’s EJAE, REI AMI + Audrey Nuna (HUNTR/X)
- Ice Spice
- Jessica Simpson
- Latto
- Livvy Dunne
- Malin Ackerman
- Meg Stalter
- Nikki Glaser
- Paris Hilton
Fan Voting and How to Watch the Show
Fans decide the winners by voting in 19 gender-neutral categories. Voting is open online until September 5 at 6 p.m. ET. The Song of the Year category has a two-round process, narrowing from 10 to six nominees based on votes.
The VMAs air live on September 7 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. This year, CBS broadcasts the event for the first time, alongside MTV. Viewers can also stream it on Paramount+. The one-hour pre-show starts at 7 p.m. ET on MTV and other Paramount networks.
The 2025 VMAs celebrate music’s diversity and iconic artists. With major comebacks, new awards, and a packed performance lineup, the show promises memorable moments for fans worldwide.
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Credits: mtv.com
