MTV VMAs 2025 WINNERS: Ariana Grande shocks as she earns top honor while Lady Gaga upsets Taylor Swift

Ariana Grande shocked as she triumphed over Lady Gaga who had the most nominations at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards on night where the Abracadabra hitmaker upset Taylor Swift.

The 32-year-old hitmaker – who made the worst dressed list on the red carpet – ended the night by earning top honor for Video of the Year for Brighter Days Ahead.

 It was quite the surprise result as she faced stiff competition including: Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather, Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us, Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile, Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt., Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild, and The Weeknd & Playboi Carti – Timeless.

Ariana concluded her acceptance speech with a sweet message about optimism.

She said: ‘This project is about the hard work that is healing all different kinds of drama and coming home to our young selves including safety and our own lives which is a lifelong process on a daily exercise. 

‘If you’re on their journey please continue because I promise there are brighter days ahead. This is ridiculous.’ 

The top honor was the second award Ariana earned as earlier in the evening she took home Best Pop also for Brighter Days Ahead.

The 32-year-old hitmaker triumphed over Alex Warren – Ordinary, Ed Sheeran – Sapphire, Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile, Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt., and Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild.

She was emotional during her acceptance speech as she said: ‘Thank you so much. Oh, my god. This is so kind. Thank you so much. I was so nervous. I have to start by saying thank you so much to my fans. I’m going to cry.

‘I think I broke this. I think I broke it. I have to say thank you first and foremost my fans. I love you with every fiber of my being.’

Ariana made sure to acknowledge the entire team behind her music video as she named several members of the cast and crew which no one else did the entire night.

She concluded her speech by saying: ‘I love making this record with you more than anything in the entire world. It was life-changing, thank you for championing me as a songwriter and producer. I love you so much. Thank you to my therapist. And gay people, I love you.’

 The award show kicked off in fantastic form as Lady Gaga took home the first Moon Person of the night.

The 39- year-old performer earned the major win as they upset megastar Taylor Swift in the coveted Artist of the Year category at the star-studded award show on Sunday night. 

In addition to Taylor, she triumphed over a very impressive list of music’s biggest stars including: Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Morgan Wallen, and The Weeknd.

Taylor did not release a single or album in the last year so she was only up for Artist of the Year.

The Mayhem artist got candid about what it meant to her to earn the award during her acceptance speech as she candidly talked about what being an artist means to her.

She said:  ‘I thought about what it means to be rewarded for being an artist, being rewarded for something that is already so rewarding. Being an artist is an attempt to connect the souls of people all over the world. 

‘Being an artist is a discipline, a craft meant for reaching into someone’s heart, where it grows its roots and reminding them to dream. Being an artist is responsibility to make the audience smile. Dance, cry, released at any turn. It’s a method of building understanding and celebrating community. 

Gaga also stressed the importance of art in everyone’s life and reminded all of her fans to count on themselves and their skills. 

She went on to thank her fans known as the ‘Little Monsters’ before thanking her fiance Michael Polansky.

Gaga concluded her acceptance speech: ‘I dedicate this award to the audience. You very much deserve a stage to shine on, and I give you all my applause. 

‘Thank you, little monsters, my fans. For always supporting me and always supporting the monster in me. A 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. I wish I could stay and enjoy all these performances but I have to go back to Madison Square Garden. Thank you.’

Gaga also earned Best Collaboration alongside Bruno Mars for their smash hit Die With A Smile.

The dynamic duo earned the honor over: Bailey Zimmerman & Luke Combs – Backup Plan (Stagecoach Official Music Video), Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther, Post Malone Featuring Blake Shelton – Pour Me a Drink, and Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt, and Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco – Sunset Blvd.

As Gaga was performing her Mayhem Tour date at Madison Square Garden, she was unable to accept the award in person despite previously being at the show.

This was her big return to the award show after a five year hiatus as she led all nominees with 12 nods and ultimately took home four new Moon Persons.

Gaga already had 18 VMA wins under her belt and her fans are anticipating her to add even more accolades this year.

This year also marks the third time that Gaga led MTV’s list of VMA nominees.

She previously topped the list with 13 nods in 2010 and again in 2020 tying for first with nine total nominations.

Sabrina Carpenter triumphed over Gaga in the Best Album category for Short N Sweet.

The 26-year-old hitmaker’s field included Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos, Kendrick Lamar – GNX, Lady Gaga – Mayhem, Morgan Wallen – I’m the Problem, and The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow.

Sabrina began her acceptance speech by thanking her fans as she said: ‘Hello. Oh, my goodness. There’s so many people here. Well, thank you. Thank you, VMAs, for this. This is, this is my second moon man, which is so crazy. 

‘I really don’t take for granted when you guys take the time out of your lives to listen to album. And if I’m lucky enough that that is my album, I am so grateful whether that be Short N Sweet or Man’s Best Friend my new album or one of my 29 before that. I’m just the luckiest girl in the world’

Mariah Carey was honored with one of the most coveted awards as she was presented the Video Vanguard Award by Ariana.

Before that she performed a medley of some of her biggest hits including Fantasy, Heartbreaker, Obsessed, and We Belong Together.

The 56-year-old singer praised Ariana, 32, during her acceptance speech as she said: ‘ Oh, my god, thank you, Ari! This moon man is very heavy. I’ve got it. She’s so little. You’re the cutest. I love you.

‘I’m grateful for you and beyond proud of everything you’ve achieved, girl. Like, what? Thank you so much, MTV, for giving me the vanguard award. I can’t believe I’m getting my first VMA tonight. I just have one question. What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for? I’m kidding. I love you. Love you so much.’

She went on to talk about the importance of music videos in her career and thanked MTV for airing them before promoting her upcoming sixteenth studio album Here For It All.

Mariah concluded: ‘I have learned music evolves, video evolves. But the fun is eternal. Thank you, MTV for playing my videos. 

‘And to my fans, I love you so much. By the way, my new album is out in two weeks! September 26.’

Ricky Martin was honored with the first ever Latin Icon Award as he performed a medley of his hits including Livin La Vida Loca and The Cup Of Life.

The 53-year-old singer was presented the honor by Jessica Simpson as he sweetly gave a sweet dedication to his four children: twins Matteo and Valentino, daughter Lucia and son Renn.

He said:  ‘I wanted to dedicate this award to my kids. I want to dedicate this award to my kids. Everything I do I do it with you in my mind and my heart.’

Song of the Year was given to Rosé and  Bruno Mars  for their hit track Apt.

They beat out an impressive field including: Alex Warren – Ordinary, Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather, Doechii – Anxiety, Ed Sheeran – Sapphire, Gracie Abrams – I Love You, I’m Sorry, Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile, Lorde – What Was That, Tate McRae – Sports Car, and The Weeknd & Playboi Carti – Timeless.

The 28-year-old New Zealand-South Korean singer-songwriter Rosé was emotional as she teared up while accepting the honor as Bruno was not in attendance.

She said: ‘Someone asked me the other day what my fear in life was and I was quite shocked at my own response. I had no idea how deeply personal this journey has been for me. 

‘I told them I feared that somewhere along the way, this journey of pursuing my dreams I might hit a wall and possibly disappoint my 16-year-old self who grew up always and oddball among society that wished some day she too could be herself and equally pursue her dreams just as well as anyone else I saw on television. 12 years later, I dedicate this award to my 16-year-old self who dreamed.’

Busta Rhymes was honored with the Rock The Bells Visionary Award after performing a medley of his hits including Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See and Break Ya Neck.

The 53-year-old rap icon made sure to acknowledge former MTV VJ Ananda Lewis who died at the age of 52 from breast cancer back in June.

Busta sweetly said: ‘I want to thank and I think we all need to acknowledge the incredible woman — that loved us when we came to mtv during the ’90s. An incredible woman that loved me and she loved us, she loved the culture. She lifted us up. I love her. Very much. I miss her very much. 

‘The late, great, incredible royal empress Ananda Lewis. Thank you all so much. The blessings don’t stop, so we don’t stop, baby.’

MTV Push Performance of the Year was earned by up-and-coming girl group Katseye.

They beat out Ayra Starr – Last Heartbreak Song, Damiano David – Next Summer, Dasha – Bye Bye Bye, Gigi Perez – Sailor Song, Jordan Adetunji – Kehlani, Lay Bankz – Graveyard, Leon Thomas – Yes It Is, Livingston – Shadow, and Mark Ambor – Belong Together, Role Model – Sally, When the Wine Runs Out, and Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy).

The Los Angeles based group comprised of Daniela, Lara, Manon, Megan, Sophia, and Yoonchae who represent Philippines, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United States were emotional as they accepted the honor.

Sophia Laforteza said during their acceptance speech: ‘First of all, to our icons, all over the world. This means the world to us. So thank you so much. We are so grateful to Devon records. Thank you our chairman for being our visionary leader. For championing us and thank you to our icons. We are here because of you. We love you so much. Thank you for believing in us.

The night kicked off with host LL Cool J talking about the magnitude of the event as they are live and airing on national channel CBS coast-to-coast for the very first time.

He was then interrupted by Doja Cat who performed a new song with iconic saxophonist Kenny G as they performed her latest single Jealous Type that featured plenty of style direct from the 1980s.

The 29-year-old rapper and singer put on a sizzling display that showcased her shockingly flexible figure as she performed at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.

At one point, Doja (real name: Amala Dlamini) writhed about on the stage floor as she bent her leg back directly over her head in a particularly sultry display. 

The hitmaker heavily leaned on ’80s references at the start of her performance, which she introduced in a glitchy video inspired by Max Headroom that lived up to its hacker influences by interrupting the host, LL Cool J.

Doja wore a rubbery black suit with a white shirt and slim black tie, and she wore a wig of plastic-like wavy hair inspired by Matt Frewer’s original look as the computer-generated host.

Immediately after the introduction, as the first notes of Jealous Type began to play, she brought out another figure who rose to prominence in the ’80s: the controversial smooth jazz icon Kenny G. 

He embellished the melody on his soprano saxophone as Doja descended from the heavens on a curving hot pink chaise longue. 

The performer showcased her stellar figure in a white crop top that revealed her toned midriff. She paired it with baggy black pants and sleek black vans sneakers. 

As backup dancers joined her on the black-and-white checkerboard stage, Doja showed off her best robotic dance moves. 

The biggest night for the MTV networks were held at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.

Meanwhile Sabrina sizzled in a skintight glittery red lace gown by Valentino, paired with a lavender feather boa, as she led the best dressed stars at the gala event 

The Espresso hitmaker — who is nominated for a number of awards, including video of the year, best pop artist, and best album — looked every inch like Jessica Rabbit in her floor-length dress, and wore her blonde tresses in voluminous curls.

Meanwhile Tate McRae, 22, channeled a Grecian goddess in a flowing, sheer white Ludovic de Saint Sernin gown, that offered a peek at her white underwear. 

Ashlee Simpson, 40, kicked off the red carpet in style, wearing a sexy black ensemble that laced up on the sides. 

She paired the sizzling look with open-toe black heels, and wore her auburn tresses in mermaid waves. 

Her husband Evan Ross, 37, joined her on the red carpet, looking dapper in a dark suit. 

Country darling Megan Moroney, 27, flashed her toned midriff in a metallic top and a white skirt with a slit on the side. 

Jessica Simpson, 45, stunned in a gothic black lace gown as she made her first appearance at the ceremony since 2006. 

The With You singer accessorized with drop earrings and wore her blonde hair in a high ponytail.

Livvy Dunne, 22, also showed off her slim mid section in a black bra, a cropped jacket, and black pants. 

Paris Hilton, 44, rocked a futuristic silver metal dress. Her blonde hair was styled into a high ponytail. 

Paris was joined by sister Nicky Hilton Rothschild, 41.

Nicky looked radiant in a pale blue Grecian-style gown, with her platinum tresses lightly curled.