The 42nd annual MTV Video Music Awards took place at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on September 7, 2025, celebrating a night of pop music's biggest stars. Lady Gaga was a major winner, securing the Artist of the Year award. She dedicated her win to her fans, the "Little Monsters," and her fiancé, Michael Polansky. This victory meant that fellow nominees Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, who are tied for the most VMA wins in history with 30 awards each, did not increase their tallies on this night.
Ariana Grande also had a significant evening, winning Video of the Year for her song "Brighter Days Ahead." She also received the Best Pop Song award. Grande expressed gratitude to her fanbase, her therapist, and the LGBTQ+ community, acknowledging their impact on her artistry. The video for "Brighter Days Ahead" also featured a cameo from her father.
Emerging talent was also celebrated, with Sabrina Carpenter's "Short n' Sweet" honored as Album of the Year. The Song of the Year award went to the collaboration between Rosé and Bruno Mars for their track "APT." The ceremony also paid homage to music legends. Mariah Carey was presented with the Video Vanguard Award by Ariana Grande, marking Carey's first VMA win after more than three decades in the industry. Ricky Martin was honored with the inaugural Latin Icon Award, celebrating his four-decade career and influence on Latin music. His performance included a medley of his hits.
A poignant moment of the evening was the tribute to the late rock icon Ozzy Osbourne. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, along with Yungblud and Nuno Bettencourt, delivered a powerful performance of Osbourne's classic songs, including "Crazy Train," "Changes," and "Mama, I'm Coming Home," as a heartfelt homage to his impact on rock music. Lady Gaga also graced the stage with performances of "Abracadabra" and "The Dead Dance." The ceremony was hosted by LL Cool J.