2025 MTV VMAs Recap: Back to Pop Culture Glory, Almost

Top Winners

Lady Gaga took home four Moon Person trophies, including the coveted Artist of the Year. Gaga also won Best Collaboration for her hit duet “Die With a Smile” with Bruno Mars, and two technical awards for her mesmerizing video “Abracadabra.” During her acceptance speech, she turned her focus to her fans: “You deserve a stage to shine on, and I give you all my applause,” she said through tears before literally running off to perform a sold-out Madison Square Garden show that same night. Gaga’s unmatched creative consistency is why she remains such a cultural force and a musical icon.

Ariana Grande wasn’t far behind, winning Video of the Year and Best Pop Video for her cinematic short film Brighter Days Ahead, a 26-minute exploration of healing and memory packed with personal Easter eggs, including a cameo from her father. Her speech was one of the night’s emotional peaks: “Art has been a safe space for me since I was a kid. I promise there are brighter days ahead,” she told fans, aligning perfectly with her album’s theme and resonating deeply with the crowd. 

Sabrina Carpenter cemented her breakout year with a win for Best Album for Short n’ Sweet, a best-selling album that garnered several other awards, including a Grammy. Other key awards included Rosé and Bruno Mars winning Song of the Year, KATSEYE getting the Best Push Performance Moon Person, Doechii taking home Best Hip-Hop, Tyla winning Best Afrobeats, Lisa receiving Best K-Pop, and Shakira earning Best Latin, giving the show a wide range of genre representation.

These winners perfectly reflected the current pop landscape: established icons continued dominating, while newer voices proved they belonged on stage.

Most Talked-About Performances

The performances this year were as diverse as the winners, but some clearly rose above the rest.

1. Doja Cat

Doja Cat delivered what I’d call the best performance of the night, singing her new single “Jealous Type”. She leaned into an unapologetically retro 80s theme, complete with neon lights, vintage fashion, and a surprise appearance from Kenny G on saxophone. The true highlight came when she incorporated breakdancing into her set for the first time, fully embracing her roots as a breakdancer before fame. Watching her glide between rapping, singing, and spinning on the floor felt like watching a complete artist take command of every element of her craft. It wasn’t just a performance—it was a statement of artistic versatility.

2. Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga didn’t physically appear in the arena, yet her pre-taped performance from Madison Square Garden’s Mayhem Ball Tour was spectacular enough to make it feel live. She opened with “Abracadabra,” standing atop a massive crimson gown, before transitioning into “The Dead Dance,” a horror-tinged number created for the Netflix series Wednesday. Gaga’s ability to deliver a flawless show, whether live or taped, is greatly admirable. This performance was proof of why her longevity is unmatched. She continues to raise the bar for theatrical pop artistry as the queen of this form of pop.

3. Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter brought visual storytelling to life with her performance of “Tears” from her new album. Her rain-soaked city street set was breathtaking, and she was flanked by drag performers holding signs reading “Protect Trans Rights” and “Love Each Other.” It was a bold display of allyship and inclusivity, though the connection between the song’s lyrics and the message felt off. Even with that disconnect, Sabrina’s heart was in the right place, and her vocal strength and stage command were undeniable, making her one of the evening’s most memorable performers.

4. Tate McRae

Tate McRae turned her main-stage debut into a showcase of physicality. Her medley of hits featured intricate, acrobatic choreography on a black sand stage beneath serpent-like projections. Her dancing was undeniably impressive, but it also highlighted her vocal limitations. McRae needs to balance the spectacle with live singing to fully connect with audiences and deliver a well-rounded performance. Additionally, the comparisons to Britney Spears are inevitable as her style is very similar, and instead of distancing herself, embracing that influence could help her define her pop identity while honoring the icon who clearly inspires her.

5. Ozzy Osbourne tribute

The Ozzy Osbourne tribute shifted the night’s tone from pop spectacle to rock legacy. Yungblud opened with a fiery “Crazy Train,” followed by an emotional rendition of “Changes” that brought him to tears. Aerosmith legends Steven Tyler and Joe Perry joined him for a rousing “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” closing out the medley. Yungblud’s energy and raw emotion stood out most, turning what could have been a somber farewell into a celebration of Ozzy’s enduring influence.

Legacy Awards: Honoring Legends

The 2025 VMAs weren’t just about the present—they honored artists whose careers shaped the music landscape.

Mariah Carey received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, finally earning her first Moon Person trophy after decades of influence. Ariana Grande introduced her with a heartfelt tribute, calling Mariah “the queen whose voice knows no limits.” Mariah then delivered a dazzling medley of hits, including “Dreamlover,” “Heartbreaker,” “Obsessed,” and “We Belong Together.” Her speech was classic Mariah: witty and heartfelt. “I don’t know why it took so long. Just kidding,” she joked, before reflecting on how music videos allowed her to “bring drama and magic to life.” It was a well-earned, long-overdue celebration of one of music’s most enduring voices.

Busta Rhymes was honored with the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award for his groundbreaking contributions to hip-hop. His performance was pure adrenaline, tearing through hits like “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See” with his signature rapid-fire delivery. His acceptance speech was deeply personal, as he dedicated the award to the late MTV VJ Ananda Lewis, praising her for uplifting hip-hop during the network’s golden era.

The night’s final tribute went to Ricky Martin, who became the first recipient of the Latin Icon Award. His medley was pure joy, blending Spanish-language classics like “Pégate” with crossover hits like “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” The crowd—including Ariana Grande, visibly dancing along—was electric. In his speech, Ricky spoke about breaking boundaries and uniting cultures through music, dedicating the award to his four children and ending with the line, “I am addicted to your applause. That’s why I keep coming back.” It was the perfect closing note to a night that honored the past while celebrating the future.

The 2025 VMAs felt like a long-awaited return to form. After years of uneven shows and forgettable moments, this year finally brought the right balance of star power, artistry, and genuine surprises. With icons like Mariah Carey and Lady Gaga sharing the spotlight with rising names like Sabrina Carpenter and Tate McRae, and performances that will be replayed for months to come, the show reminded viewers why the VMAs were once pop culture’s biggest stage. It wasn’t perfect, but compared to recent years, 2025 proved that the VMAs can still matter when the music, the artists, and the moments all align.

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