Summary
The 2025 MTV VMAs complete winners list showcased a night of triumph, diversity, and iconic performances. With Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, and Rosé taking home top honors, alongside special awards for Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, and Ricky Martin, the ceremony struck a balance between celebrating fresh talent and honoring legends. The addition of new categories like Country and Afrobeats confirmed that the VMAs are evolving with the times—cementing their legacy as music’s most electrifying award show.
The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) brought together the world’s biggest stars on September 7 at the UBS Arena in New York. Hosted by LL Cool J, the event celebrated the best in music, visuals, and performance. With powerful live shows, emotional speeches, and iconic wins, the VMAs once again proved why they remain a cultural phenomenon.
This article provides the 2025 MTV VMAs complete winners list, highlights from the ceremony, and an analysis of the biggest moments that shaped the night.
Video of the Year
One of the most prestigious honors at the VMAs, the Video of the Year award, went to Ariana Grande for “brighter days ahead”.
Her heartfelt track and visually stunning video beat tough competition, including Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, and Rosé. Ariana’s emotional acceptance speech touched on gratitude, mental health, and her journey as an artist.
Artist of the Year
Lady Gaga was crowned Artist of the Year, proving her ability to reinvent herself while maintaining global dominance. Gaga accepted the award virtually on her way to a concert, highlighting her relentless work ethic and dedication to fans.
Song of the Year
The infectious collaboration between Rosé and Bruno Mars, “APT.”, won Song of the Year. Their duet not only topped global charts but also showed how cross-genre collaborations are reshaping the music industry.
Best New Artist
Rising star Alex Warren earned the Best New Artist award. Known for his raw storytelling and relatable lyrics, Warren’s win marked his official arrival on the global stage.
Best Pop Artist
The fan-voted category Best Pop Artist went to Sabrina Carpenter. With a breakout year of chart-topping hits and viral moments, Sabrina solidified herself as one of pop music’s brightest new icons.
Best Pop
For Best Pop Video, Ariana Grande added another Moon Person to her collection for “brighter days ahead”.
Best R&B
The queen of R&B herself, Mariah Carey, won Best R&B for “Type Dangerous”. This category win was a prelude to her special recognition later in the evening.
Best Alternative
sombr took home Best Alternative for their powerful anthem “Back to Friends”. Their unique sound resonated with both critics and fans, proving that alternative music continues to thrive.
Best K-Pop
The global influence of K-Pop remained strong with LISA ft. Doja Cat & RAYE winning Best K-Pop for “Born Again”. This collaboration was a true cultural crossover moment.
Best Afrobeats
The rise of Afrobeats was celebrated with Tyla winning Best Afrobeats for “PUSH 2 START”. Her win highlighted the genre’s growing impact worldwide.
Best Country
In a brand-new category, Megan Moroney won Best Country for “Am I Okay?”. This win marked a historic moment for country music at the VMAs, reflecting the industry’s evolving inclusivity.
Special Honors
Video Vanguard Award
After decades in the spotlight, Mariah Carey finally received her long-deserved Vanguard Award. Known for her unmatched vocals and iconic music videos, Carey’s acceptance speech was both emotional and inspirational, paying tribute to her fans who supported her across generations.
Rock the Bells Visionary Award
Busta Rhymes was honored with the Rock the Bells Visionary Award, recognizing his trailblazing contributions to hip-hop culture.
Latin Icon Award
Ricky Martin was celebrated with the Latin Icon Award, highlighting his global influence and groundbreaking career in Latin music.
Most Memorable Moments
- Ariana Grande’s Emotional Speech: Her words on healing, therapy, and resilience made headlines worldwide.
- Sabrina Carpenter’s Bold Acceptance: After winning for Best Album, Sabrina used her speech to celebrate inclusivity and dropped an unfiltered, passionate message to her fans.
- Lady Gaga’s On-the-Go Acceptance: Accepting Artist of the Year while en route to her show at Madison Square Garden showcased her unstoppable commitment.
- Mariah Carey’s Emotional Vanguard Win: A truly historic moment for one of music’s greatest icons.
Cultural Impact of the 2025 MTV VMAs
This year’s VMAs highlighted several key trends shaping the future of music:
- Female Pop Powerhouses: Artists like Ariana, Gaga, and Sabrina dominated the night, proving the strength of women in global music.
- Genre Expansion: Categories like Afrobeats and Country showed that the VMAs are adapting to global trends.
- Legacy Meets New Talent: From Mariah Carey’s Vanguard honor to Alex Warren’s breakthrough, the awards bridged generations of music lovers.
Complete Winners List – 2025 MTV VMAs
- Video of the Year: Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead”
- Artist of the Year: Lady Gaga
- Song of the Year: Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.”
- Best New Artist: Alex Warren
- Best Pop Artist: Sabrina Carpenter
- Best Pop Video: Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead”
- Best R&B: Mariah Carey – “Type Dangerous”
- Best Alternative: sombr – “Back to Friends”
- Best K-Pop: LISA ft. Doja Cat & RAYE – “Born Again”
- Best Afrobeats: Tyla – “PUSH 2 START”
- Best Country: Megan Moroney – “Am I Okay?”
- Vanguard Award: Mariah Carey
- Rock the Bells Visionary Award: Busta Rhymes
- Latin Icon Award: Ricky Martin
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Who won Video of the Year at the 2025 MTV VMAs?
Ariana Grande won Video of the Year for “brighter days ahead”.
Q2: Which artists dominated the 2025 VMAs?
Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, and Rosé & Bruno Mars were among the biggest winners.
Q3: What new categories were introduced this year?
The VMAs added Best Country and Best Pop Artist as fan-voted categories.
Q4: Who received the Vanguard Award?
Mariah Carey received the Vanguard Award, marking her first-ever VMA win.
Q5: Where were the 2025 MTV VMAs held?
The ceremony took place at the UBS Arena in New York.
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