MTV VMAs 2025: Lady Gaga wins Artist of the Year as Moroney, Warren take early awards
— At UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards opened under host LL Cool J, with early Moon Person trophies awarded in the preshow and main ceremony. Lady Gaga accepted Artist of the Year, while Alex Warren won Best New Artist and Megan Moroney took Best Country for “Am I Okay?” as the show prepared for headline performances and career honors.
Key Takeaways
- Host: LL Cool J opened the VMAs at UBS Arena at 8:00 p.m. ET.
- Artist of the Year: Lady Gaga accepted the prize onstage.
- Early winners included Alex Warren (Best New Artist) and Megan Moroney (Best Country, “Am I Okay?”).
- Mariah Carey received the Video Vanguard honor and won Best R&B for “Type Dangerous.”
- Special career awards: Ricky Martin (Latin Icon) and Busta Rhymes (Rock the Bells Visionary).
- Performances featured Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae, Doja Cat, Post Malone, Conan Gray and others.
- A tribute to Ozzy Osbourne included Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, YUNGBLUD and Nuno Bettencourt.
Verified Facts
The 2025 VMAs were held at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, with LL Cool J serving as solo host. The program began with MTV’s preshow, where several categories were decided before the main broadcast; among those early winners were Alex Warren for Best New Artist and Megan Moroney for Best Country for her song “Am I Okay?.”
Lady Gaga accepted the Artist of the Year award on the main stage. Her appearance came while she is headlining the Mayhem Ball tour; she made a brief onstage speech noting art’s role in community and resilience and dedicating the honor to her fans.
Mariah Carey was presented with the Video Vanguard Award in recognition of her catalog of music videos and was also credited with winning Best R&B for “Type Dangerous,” marking her first Moon Person award. MTV also announced career honors for Ricky Martin (Latin Icon) and Busta Rhymes (MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award).
Performance highlights across the night included Doja Cat (who opened with “Jealous Type” alongside musician Kenny G on stage), rising artists on the Extended Play Stage such as Lola Young, and scheduled sets from Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae, Post Malone, Jelly Roll, Conan Gray and others. A set honoring Ozzy Osbourne featured contributions from Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, YUNGBLUD and Nuno Bettencourt.
Context & Impact
Gaga’s Artist of the Year win reinforces her continued mainstream presence and touring momentum; appearing at the VMAs during an active arena tour underscores how awards shows and live touring intersect for major acts.
Mariah Carey’s Video Vanguard recognition is notable both as a celebration of music-video history and as part of an awards season pattern that spotlights legacy artists alongside today’s breakout stars. Her Best R&B win for “Type Dangerous” further highlights cross-generational chart and critical recognition.
The evening also reflected genre diversity: from Afrobeats (Tyla won Best Afrobeats for “PUSH 2 START”) and K-pop recognition (Lisa’s “Born Again,” featuring Doja Cat and Raye, won Best K-pop) to alternative and country categories won by newer artists such as sombr and Megan Moroney. The mix of established headliners and viral-era breakout acts speaks to the VMAs’ role as both a cultural barometer and a promotional platform for artists across formats.
Red Carpet and Performance Notes
- Fashion highlights included Sabrina Carpenter in red lace and Ariana Grande in a polka-dot gown.
- Lola Young performed “Messy” on the Extended Play Stage after the song’s viral rise on TikTok.
- YUNGBLUD, tasked with the Ozzy tribute, posted on social media about honoring Osbourne ahead of the show.
“The way you move through your life is iconic and rare,”
Lady Gaga, accepting Artist of the Year
“I couldn’t have done it without you guys,”
Lisa (recorded message), Best K-pop acceptance
Unconfirmed
- Claims circulating on social platforms about surprise guest appearances late in the broadcast were not confirmed by MTV at publication time.
- Some setlist details shared by attendees on social media have not been verified against official show releases.
Bottom Line
The 2025 VMAs balanced legacy recognition and contemporary trends: career honors to icons like Mariah Carey and Ricky Martin sat alongside breakthrough wins for Alex Warren and Megan Moroney, while headline performances and tributes kept the program focused on both spectacle and industry acknowledgment. Expect continued ripple effects across streaming, ticket sales and awards-season narratives in the days after the broadcast.