Complete Guide to the 2025 MTV VMAs: Who Won, Who Slayed, Who Stole the Show (highlights)

Written By Angela & Alana

If you missed the VMAs last night… don’t worry. I’ve got ALL the viral moments right here.

Lady Gaga dominated with 12 nominations and 4 wins, including Artist of the Year and Best Collaboration for her duet with Bruno Mars on “Die With a Smile.”

Then she ran off to Madison Square Garden after delaying the show to accept the award.

Her performance was also pretty iconic.

Lady Gaga is a music icon who went about her career correctly because I remember when she came back with Applause in 2013, she wasn’t taken seriously and therefore dipped from the music scene, only to progressively return strategically.

If we look at her peers like Nicki Minaj or Katy Perry, they weren’t able to have graceful returns, and I always found that interesting.

Sure enough their personal issues (Nicki hating on everyone and Katy being cringe and out of touch) played a role, but it’s interesting to compare huge artists from the 2010s and where they are now in the 2020s.

Video of the Year and Best Pop went to Ariana Grande who looked like she was having a meet & greet the whole night in that little corner at the VMAS.

Ariana is highly respected in the music industry, mainly because no one knows anything about her. Sure, we know she’s a homewrecker 🤭 but she’s always been someone who kept it classy in public and messy in private.

And in the music industry—especially with all these newbies who can’t help but fangirl over the oldies—absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Huge artists either disappearing from the public eye or dipping into the acting world or beauty world, automatically makes their demand stronger.

That’s why the homewrecking allegations didn’t berate Ariana’s brand long-term and neither does her divorce. She compartmentalizes in such a smart way.

Song of the Year went to Rosé & Bruno Mars for APT, which marked her first solo VMA win.

Alex Warren snagged Best New Artist, making him the first man to win the award since Khalid in 2017.

Tate McRae took home Song of the Summer for Just Keep Watching after performing a jaw-dropping number of Sports Car.

I’ve been obsessed with Sports Car all year btw. How do you guys feel about Tate? Is she here to stay?

Sabrina Carpenter put on one hell of a performance with Tears with powerful signs as her backdrop for this iconic photo.

She took home 3 VMAs and acknowledged the fact that she finally got recognition as someone who put out multiple albums (min 1:28):

She put on an amazing dance break which seemed like an ode to Britney

Sabrina is someone who has always desperately wanted to be this famous, and it’s a breath of fresh air because she’s so great at being famous.

She’s hilarious, a great singer, an amazing performer, and she puts out some bops. How do you guys feel about Sabrina?

Ariana presented Mariah Carey with the iconic Video Vanguard Award who ran through a medley of her classic hits.

Remember their feud from 2013-16? LMAOOOOOOO.

Demi catching a stray bc she couldn’t keep her mouth shut at the time sdkslkdjslkd

Mariah thought Ariana was stealing her style and Ariana lowkey didn’t have her own sound at the time, but over the years, Ariana proved herself and definitely earned Mariah’s respect.

Despite Mariah’s veteran status at these things, she seemed a bit confused or maybe overwhelmed as she left the stage very slowly with help from Ariana.

Doja Cat kicked off the night with the live debut of her single “Jealous Type” from her upcoming album Vie.

I haven’t heard any of Doja Cat’s new material, but I was obsessed with whatever album Demons was on. Thoughts on Doja and how she’s aging in the industry?

Ricky Martin accepted MTV's first-ever Latin Icon Award, breakout girl group Katseye also snagged their first win for Push Performance, Sombr won Best Alternative, Tyla got Best Afrobeats, Lisa took home Best K-Pop, and Megan Moroney earned her first VMA, becoming the first-ever winner of the brand-new Best Country category at the VMAs.

How did you guys feel about the 2025 VMAs?

I feel like they made more noise than usual. Maybe the new artists have finally stuck around for a bit? Or are you feeling nostalgic for the olides who seem to have quit on music?

Also… I can’t believe Demi Lovato didn’t attend. How are you starting a new era but not attending award shows?

Check out our new Demi video while you wait for the Demi post that’s taking me an unnaturally long time to finish.

Justin Bieber on the other hand, we know that man wants nothing to do with the industry so he’s just happy releasing music from his living room.

Anwyays, let me know what you guys think of the 2025 VMAs and what other posts you want to see!

Btw, I paid for a pro plan for the Disqus comment sections to turn them annoying ads off so let me know if it makes a difference. Make sure to also react above the comment section so it can give me more insight as to how you feel about the post.

Also, let me know if you got a chance to check out The Scandal Sheet!

I hope you guys enjoyed!

Where to find or contact us:

Angela & Alana

We are sisters who uncover the truth in Hollywood, one scandalous post at a time.

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