VMAs 2025! A Night of Moonmen, Mayhem, and Mariah Magic!

Hey! It's your girl Shalena here , dishing the hottest takes on the music scene that's got everyone buzzing. Every year, the MTV Video Music Awards remind us that pop culture isn’t just about music—it’s about the moments that stop time. From Madonna rolling around in a wedding dress, to Britney with her python, to Kanye interrupting Taylor, the VMAs have always been the stage where history, chaos, and glitter collide.

So when the 2025 VMAs rolled into New York’s UBS Arena last night, we already knew it was going to be a ride. Hosted by none other than LL Cool J, stepping out solo for the first time, this year’s show felt like the VMAs growing up without losing its spark. CBS may have cut down on the wardrobe malfunctions and F-bombs, but trust me—the drama, fashion, and music still gave us plenty to talk about.

And y’all know me—I grew up glued to this show, dreaming of red carpets and replaying the performances until the VHS tape broke LOL. So when I say this year had me hollering, clutching my pearls, and refreshing X for the memes, I mean it.

From Lady Gaga sweeping the night to Mariah Carey finally getting her Vanguard flowers, and of course the messy little moments that had the internet in flames, the VMAs delivered a night of moonmen, mayhem, and pure magic. Let’s get into it…

The Big Winners: Who Took Home the Moonmen?

Lady Gaga reigned supreme with 4 wins out of 12 nominations, solidifying her Mayhem era. Ariana Grande grabbed three, including the coveted Video of the Year, while Sabrina Carpenter also snatched three. Here’s a breakdown of the key categories:

Category	Winner(s)
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 Collaboration	Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile”
Best Pop	Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead”
Best Album	Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Best Hip-Hop	Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
Best R&B	LISA ft. Doja Cat & RAYE – “Born Again”
Best K-Pop	LISA – “Born Again”
Best Alternative	Sombr – “Back to Friends”
Best Country	Megan Moroney
MTV Push Performance	KATSEYE – “Touch”

Special Honors

• Mariah Carey – Video Vanguard Award (her first-ever VMA!)

• Busta Rhymes – Rock the Bells Visionary Award

• Ricky Martin – Latin Icon Award

• Tyla – History-maker with the Best Afrobeats win

Standout Performances

The VMAs stage gave everything.

• Sabrina Carpenter opened with a retro “Tears” medley, joined by RuPaul’s Drag Race queens and ballroom legends holding signs for trans rights. Powerful and polarizing.

• Tate McRae turned the arena upside down with “Revolving Door” and “Sports Car.” Billboard called it the night’s best performance—and they weren’t lying.

• Doja Cat dropped her new single “Jealous Type” in full-on ’80s glam realness.

• Post Malone & Jelly Roll checked in from Germany with “Losers.”

• Mariah Carey’s Vanguard medley (“Fantasy,” “Obsessed,” “It’s Like That”) was nostalgic—but X had jokes about lip-syncing.

The emotional high point? A tribute to Ozzy Osbourne led by Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler & Joe Perry, Yungblud, and Nuno Bettencourt. The rock heads ate that up.

Other standouts

• Conan Gray’s Romeo & Juliet-inspired “Vodka Cranberry” that had fans gagging (“Chef’s kiss!”).

• Ricky Martin shook the room with “Livin’ la Vida Loca.”

• Busta Rhymes brought the house down with GloRilla, finally earning his first Moonman in 35 years.

• Lady Gaga went remote from Madison Square Garden with “Abracadabra” and “The Dead Dance.” Still chaotic, still Gaga.

  

The Buzz & The Shade?

This year was CBS clean, but the tea still flowed:

• Ariana vs. Sabrina? Their reunion felt frosty. Ariana clapped, but chile… the vibe was icy.

• Doja Cat applying lipstick and eating it on the red carpet = instant meme factory.

• Sabrina’s trans rights moment had supporters cheering, while others in the LGBTQ+ community called it performative.

• LISA broke records with her third Best K-Pop solo win—fans crowned her “Queen of the VMAs.”

• Rosé’s win with Bruno Mars had global Twitter trending: “APT. is the collab we deserved.”

  
  

Fashion-wise? Cute but tame. Ariana’s polka-dot Fendi, Gaga’s dramatic ruffles, and FKA Twigs’ sleek look stood out, but fans weren’t impressed overall: “Where’s the meat dress energy?”

Notably absent....Taylor Swift (but her 30 VMA record still loomed over the night).

The 2025 VMAs might’ve skipped the chaotic moments of past years, but the music and messaging hit deep. From Tyla’s Afrobeats breakthrough to Grande’s hopeful speech, the show reflected where pop culture is headed: diverse, global, and led by women.

It was about healing, honoring legends, and handing the mic to the next generation.

And whether you were stanning “APT.”, “Brighter Days Ahead”, or shading Mariah’s lip-syncs, one thing is clear—the VMAs still know how to own the culture.