The MTV VMAs returned to New York with the kind of glitz that makes the world stop scrolling. Lights, noise, cameras, stars — everything converged at UBS Arena as music’s biggest names fought for the Moon Person.
And in the middle of it all, Afrobeats flexed its muscle. South Africa’s Tyla walked away with Best Afrobeats Video for Push 2 Start, brushing past a lineup of Nigerian giants — Asake, Burna Boy, Rema, Tems, and Wizkid. A clean sweep against Africa’s best. Online, fans are still arguing if this was the hardest category of the night.
Elsewhere, Ariana Grande took home the crown jewel — Video of the Year for Brighter Days Ahead. Lady Gaga proved she’s still the monster of pop, stacking four wins including Artist of the Year. Sabrina Carpenter wasn’t left out either; she carved her own chapter with three trophies, her Short n’ Sweet clinching Album of the Year.
Legacy was honoured too. Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, and Ricky Martin all stood tall as the night bowed to their impact, each stepping up to perform and remind everyone why they became icons in the first place.
LL Cool J steered the ship as host, while CBS, MTV, and Paramount+ streamed the spectacle live to every corner of the globe.
Here’s the full list of MTV VMAs Awards 2025 winners:
Video of the Year
Ariana Grande, Brighter Days Ahead (WINNER)
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
The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, Timeless
Artist of the Year
Lady Gaga (WINNER)
Bad Bunny
Beyoncé
Kendrick Lamar
Morgan Wallen
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Song of the Year
Rosé & Bruno Mars, APT. (WINNER)
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
The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, Timeless
Best New Artist
Alex Warren (WINNER)
Ella Langley
Gigi Perez
Lola Young
Sombr
The Marías
Best Pop Artist
Sabrina Carpenter (WINNER)
Ariana Grande
Charli xcx
Justin Bieber
Lorde
Miley Cyrus
Tate McRae
MTV Push Performance of the Year
KATSEYE, Touch (WINNER)
Best Collaboration
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars, Die With A Smile (WINNER)
Best Pop
Ariana Grande, Brighter Days Ahead (WINNER)
Best Hip-Hop
Doechii, Anxiety (WINNER)
Best R&B
Mariah Carey, Type Dangerous (WINNER)
Best Alternative
Sombr, Back to Friends (WINNER)
Best Rock
Coldplay, All My Love (WINNER)
Best Latin
Shakira, Soltera (WINNER)
Best K-pop
Lisa ft. Doja Cat & Raye, Born Again (WINNER)
Best Afrobeats
Tyla, Push 2 Start (WINNER)
Asake & Travis Scott, Active
Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott, TaTaTa
Moliy, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea, Shake It To The Max (Remix)
Rema, Baby (Is It a Crime)
Tems ft. Asake, Get It Right
Wizkid ft. Brent Faiyaz, Piece Of My Heart
Best Country
Megan Moroney, Am I Okay? (WINNER)
Best Album
Sabrina Carpenter, Short n’ Sweet (WINNER)
Best Longform Video
Ariana Grande, Brighter Days Ahead (WINNER)
Best Group
BLACKPINK (WINNER)
Song of the Summer
Tate McRae, Just Keep Watching (From F1 The Movie) (WINNER)
Video for Good
Charli xcx – Guess ft. Billie Eilish (WINNER)
Best Direction
Lady Gaga, Abracadabra (WINNER)
Best Art Direction
Lady Gaga, Abracadabra (WINNER)
Best Cinematography
Kendrick Lamar, Not Like Us (WINNER)
Best Editing
Tate McRae, Just Keep Watching (From F1 The Movie) (WINNER)
Best Choreography
Doechii, Anxiety (WINNER)
Best Visual Effects
Sabrina Carpenter, Manchild (WINNER)
