An Ozzy Osbourne tribute, a Mayhem Ball and a Mariah Carey medley delight fans at the 2025 MTV VMAs

Mon 8 Sep 2025 at 3:28pm

In a large black dress lady gaga accepts her award and speaks — Lady Gaga wins Artist of the Year for her album Mayhem. (AP: Charles Sykes)

MTV's celebration of the year's best music videos was full of millennial nostalgia, with Ricky Martin, Busta Rhymes and Mariah Carey recognised for their contributions to the industry.

Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande took home major awards of the night, winning four and two "Moonmen" respectively.

Here were some of the other highlights from the ceremony, including the list of winners and some red carpet looks.

Lady Gaga wins Artist of the Year and then runs to her concert

The show opened with Lady Gaga winning the award for Artist of the Year.

Beating megastars like Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny, the singer dedicated the award to her fans and partner.

"You very much deserve a stage to shine on, and I give you all my applause," she told the VMAs audience.

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But the artist couldn't stay, as she had to race across New York City to perform for her tour.

"I wish I could stay and watch all these amazing performances, but I have to go back to Madison Square Garden," she said.

Lady Gaga led award nominations with 12 nods for her album Mayhem.

She won four.

"Thank you 'little monsters', my fans, for always supporting me and for always supporting the monster in me," she said.

"And to my partner in all things, Michael, creating this year with you was a beautiful, beautiful dream, and you have been my partner every step of the way. I dedicate this to you, too, my love."

Later in the show, a live stream showed her performance of the songs Abracadabra and Dead Dance at her concert.

She will take her tour, the Mayhem Ball, to Australia in December.

Gaga's win prevented the nominated Beyonce or Taylor Swift from emerging as the most honoured artist in VMA history. The pair remain tied at 30 VMAs each.

Mariah Carey takes home first VMA and the Video Vanguard award

Ariana Grande, who is often compared vocally with Mariah Carey, introduced the pop diva's Video Vanguard performance, where she sang a medley of her greatest hits, including We Belong Together, Fantasy and Obsessed.

Mariah Carey performs between two black male dancers. — Mariah Carey won her first ever VMA before she was presented with the Video Vanguard award. (AP: Charles Sykes)

"As a songwriter and producer, she's given us an anthem for every occasion," Ariana Grande said before introducing Carey.

"As a vocalist, there's only one queen, and that's Mariah.

"She knows no limits with her iconic 5-octave range and has left an irrevocable impact with her tone, technique and sound."

Despite winning the Video Vanguard Award, Mariah Carey won her first VMA (Best R&B song) during the 2025 awards.

Mariah Carey performs her hits before receiving the Video Vanguard Award. (AP: Charles Sykes)

"I don't know why it took so long. Just kidding," she said.

"I just have one question, what in the Sam Hill are you waiting for?" she later told the audience.

"Music videos are my way of life, of bringing music to my own life.

"And let's be honest, sometimes there's just an excuse to bring the drama and do things I wouldn't do in real life."

Tributes for Ozzy Osbourne

Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and singer Yungblud performed a stirring rendition of some of Ozzy Osbourne's greatest hits in tribute to the metal icon who died last month.

Yungblud performs in front of a purple cross — Yungblud begins the tribute to Ozzy Osbourne with Crazy Train. (AP: Charles Sykes)

The Prince of Darkness's son, Jack, and his grandchildren introduced the tribute with his famous catchphrase, "Let's go Crazy!"

The performance opened with British singer Yungblud singing Crazy Train.

Yungblud is known for his close relationship with Osbourne and seemed emotional as he sang Black Sabbath's song Changes.

The 27-year-old alt-rock and punk-rock artist's 2022 music video The Funeral featured Sharon and Ozzy.

Following Osbourne's death, he wrote online: "I will never forget you — you will be in every single note I sing and with me every single time I walk on stage … You were the greatest of all time."

Steven Tyler and Joe Perry joined him to sing Mama, I'm Coming Home.

Steven Tyler and Joe Perry play guitars on a purple lit stage — Steven Tyler and Joe Perry take to the stage to pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who died in July. (AP: Charles Sykes)

"Ozzy forever," Yungblud said as he ended the performance.

Video of the Year goes to Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande took home the biggest award of the night, Video of the Year, for her music video Brighter Days Ahead.

Ariana Grande in a white tutu style dress. — Ariana Grande takes home the Video of the Year Award. (AP: Charles Sykes)

She opened her speech with a joke about her height as she tried to lower the microphone.

The singer, who just this year starred in Wicked, released an album and announced a tour, took her second speech of the night to thank her fans and collaborators.

"Art has been a safe space for me since I was a kid," she said.

"I'm so grateful that I get to do this with my life and to have such fiercely loving and supportive fans."

She said the song was "about the hard work that is healing all different kinds of trauma and coming home to our young selves and creating safety in our own lives, which is a lifelong process and a daily exercise."

"If you're on that journey, please continue onward because I promise there are brighter days ahead."

Busta Rhymes, Ricky Martin's careers celebrated

Two new achievement awards were introduced at this year's ceremony to celebrate Ricky Martin and Busta Rhymes.

In an all-red outfit Busta Rhymes accepts the moon man award — Busta Rhymes accepts his award.

Busta Rhymes received the Rock the Bells Visionary Award, which celebrated his "boundary-breaking cultural impact and indomitable musical career".

He performed a medley of hits, and in his speech, he honoured MTV VJ Ananda Lewis, who died of cancer in June.

He also made a point about how it took decades to win his first VMA award.

"Next time y'all take 35 years to give me one of these, y'all gonna let me talk as long as I want."

Martin was presented with the first-ever Latin Icon Award, 26 years after he took home a VMA for his hit Livin' la Vida Loca.

He thanked his children and his fans.

"Thank you so much for your applause. I am addicted to your applause," he said.

"That's why I keep coming back."

Sabrina Carpenter makes a statement during her performance

A stage performance with people holding pro-trans signs. — Sabrina Carpenter performs her new song, Tears. (Getty Images: John Shearer)

During the performance of her new single Tears, Sabrina Carpenter took to the stage with an ensemble of drag queens.

They held up signs that read "Protect Trans Rights", "Dolls Dolls Dolls" and "Support Drag".

It was perhaps one of the only big political moments in an otherwise very uncontroversial VMAs.

President Donald Trump's decision to recognise only two sexes — male and female — has sparked growing concern and confusion among the LGBTQIA+ community in the United States.

Mr Trump signed an executive order recognising only male and female sexes and declaring they cannot be changed, shortly after being sworn in as president.