At the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York on Sept. 7–8, LL Cool J hosted a star-studded show that crowned Lady Gaga Artist of the Year, honored Mariah Carey with the Video Vanguard Award and featured a high-profile tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne alongside performances and key wins across pop, country and Latin categories.
Key Takeaways
- Lady Gaga won Artist of the Year and briefly appeared live from Madison Square Garden.
- Mariah Carey received the Video Vanguard Award and performed a nostalgic medley.
- A tribute to Ozzy Osbourne featured Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, YUNGBLUD and Nuno Bettencourt.
- Bruno Mars and Rosé won Song of the Year for “APT.”
- Alex Warren was named Best New Artist and performed on the main stage.
- Ricky Martin received the inaugural Latin Icon Award; Busta Rhymes accepted the Rock the Bells Visionary Award.
- Doja Cat opened the ceremony; other performers included Sabrina Carpenter, Conan Gray and Tate McRae.
Verified Facts
The VMAs aired from UBS Arena, with LL Cool J serving as host. The ceremony followed an MTV pre-show that handed out early Moon Person awards, including Best New Artist and genre-specific categories. Alex Warren performed “Eternity” and “Ordinary” after winning Best New Artist; “Ordinary” spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Mariah Carey delivered a medley of signature tracks before accepting the Video Vanguard Award, presented by Ariana Grande. Carey’s set included “Sugar Sweet,” “Fantasy,” “Heartbreaker,” “Obsessed” and “We Belong Together,” and she used her acceptance remarks to reflect on music videos as an essential part of her artistic identity.
Organizers staged a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who died July 22 at age 76. Jack Osbourne opened the segment with a recorded message; Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith joined YUNGBLUD and Nuno Bettencourt for a medley including “Crazy Train,” “Mama, I’m Coming Home” and “Changes.”
Major awards of the night included Lady Gaga for Artist of the Year; Bruno Mars and Rosé for Song of the Year with “APT.”; Megan Moroney won Best Country for “Am I Okay?”; Tyla took Best Afrobeats for “PUSH 2 START.” Busta Rhymes received the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award and performed a hits medley.
Context & Impact
Mariah Carey’s Video Vanguard recognition reaffirms her long-running influence on pop visuals and commercial pop music; the honor often boosts catalog attention and streaming. Gaga’s Artist of the Year trophy arrives amid a busy touring calendar and new releases tied to film and TV projects, which can expand her mainstream visibility further.
The Ozzy Osbourne tribute highlighted cross-generational rock links and underscored the VMAs’ role as an industry showcase where legacy and contemporary artists intersect. Ricky Martin’s Latin Icon Award and the visibility of Latin and Afrobeats winners reflect ongoing diversification of mainstream award recognition.
For winners like Alex Warren and Megan Moroney, VMA exposure can translate to increased radio play, streaming spikes and larger touring draws. Collaborative wins — such as Bruno Mars and Rosé’s Song of the Year — also tend to fuel playlist placements and sync opportunities.
Official Statements
“I wish we could be there with you all tonight as you celebrate my dad’s amazing musical journey. I know for sure it would make him incredibly happy to see these great musicians carry on his legacy.”
Jack Osbourne
“She knows no limits with her iconic five-octave range… Thank you for providing us with a soundtrack of our lives.”
Ariana Grande (introducing Mariah Carey)
Explainer
Unconfirmed
- No official attendance figure for the UBS Arena ceremony has been released publicly.
- Further set details and full credited personnel for some live segments (backing musicians and choreographers) are not yet available in official show notes.
Bottom Line
The 2025 VMAs balanced nostalgia and contemporary pop momentum: legacy artists were honored while newer stars scored major career milestones. Expect the night’s performances and high-profile awards to influence streaming patterns and headline-building opportunities in the weeks ahead.