The present, hosted by LL Cool J, celebrates the 12 months’s greatest artists and music movies with performances, honors and extra.
NEW YORK — Ariana Grande and Girl Gaga set the tone on the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night time with career-defining moments of their very own.
Grande scored two honors — video of the 12 months and finest pop video — and had the viewers buzzing when she thanked her “therapists and homosexual folks” throughout her acceptance speech.
Gaga, the night time’s high nominee, kicked issues off by profitable artist of the 12 months earlier than later delivering on her promise to carry out. She hit the stage at Madison Sq. Backyard after her acceptance speech, which despatched the viewers right into a frenzy on the UBS Enviornment the place the VMAs have been being held.
In her earlier remarks, Gaga pressured the deeper that means of artistry.
“Being an artist is an try to attach the souls of individuals all around the world,” mentioned Gaga, who carried out “Abracadabra” and “The Lifeless Dance,” a single from the Netflix collection “Wednesday.” “Being an artist is a self-discipline and craft into reaching somebody’s coronary heart the place it grows its roots, reminding them to dream. Being an artist is a accountability to smile, dance, cry.”
She devoted the award to her followers and paid homage to her fiance, Michael Polansky, who co-executive produced her newest album, “Mayhem.”
“Creating with you has been a ravishing factor,” she mentioned.
Mariah Carey basked within the love of her followers and mirrored on her storied profession as she accepted the Video Vanguard Award. Grande offered the glory with a heartfelt tribute, calling Carey “the soundtrack of our lives.”
Grande then added “As a vocalist, there’s just one queen. And that’s Mariah.”
Whereas taking the stage in a satin gold gown that gave approach to a glittering bodysuit and matching heels, Carey delivered a career-spanning medley of hits from “Fantasy” to “We Belong Collectively” to “Obsessed.” The efficiency additionally spotlighted tracks from her landmark tenth album, “The Emancipation of Mimi,” which just lately turned 20.
“I am unable to consider I am getting my first VMA tonight,” Carey mentioned earlier than she jokingly requested. “I’ve one query: What within the Sam Hill have been you ready for? I am simply kidding. Thanks. I like you.”
The late Ozzy Osbourne was celebrated in becoming trend when a few of rock’s greatest names took the stage in his honor. Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, British firebrand YUNGBLUD and Nuno Bettencourt united to ship a medley of Osbourne’s biggest hits together with “Loopy Practice,” “Adjustments” and “Mama, I’m Coming House.”
Osbourne’s son, Jack and a number of other of his youngsters, shared a video message to viewers concerning the beloved musician.
“I do know for certain it might make him extremely glad to see these nice musicians keep it up his legacy and assist encourage the subsequent technology of rockers,” Jack Osbourne mentioned.
“Within the phrases of our papa, ‘Let’s go loopy,’” Ozzy Osbourne’s grandkids added, referring to his widespread music “Loopy Practice.”
Osbourne turned a family title on MTV — additionally the house of the VMAs — along with his household’s hit actuality collection “The Osbournes,” which ran from 2002 to 2005. That very same 12 months, the Prince of Darkness cemented his legacy with a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame.
Because the tribute ended, the performers yelled “Ozzy endlessly, man!”
Busta Rhymes was honored with the primary ever MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award throughout the present and carried out a number of of his hits together with “Gimme Some Extra,” “State of affairs,” “Put Your Fingers The place My Eyes Might See” and “Go the Courvoisier, Half II.” He was additionally joined by Joyner Lucas, Papoose and GloRilla as they helped carry out the songs with him.
Throughout his speech, Rhymes paid tribute to the late Ananda Lewis, the previous MTV and BET host who turned a beloved tv persona within the Nineties along with her heat and authenticity.
“An unbelievable lady that beloved me and he or she beloved us,” he mentioned of Lewis, who died in June after being recognized with breast most cancers. “She beloved the tradition very a lot. I miss her very a lot. The late, nice, unbelievable Royal Empress, Ananda Lewis.”
Ricky Martin acquired the first-ever Latin Icon Award following an electrical efficiency on the principle stage. He spoke about his 40-year profession in music, dedicating the award to his 4 youngsters.
Martin’s set served as an anniversary tribute coming 25 years after his breakout VMAs debut in 1999, when he made historical past as the primary male Latin artist to win finest pop video.
“I began after I was a child working and we’re nonetheless right here,” he marveled, including: “We simply need to unite nations, we simply need to break boundaries, and we simply need to preserve music alive.”
The VMAs, hosted by LL Cool J, kicked off with a freewheeling spirit. Throughout Cool J’s opening monologue, a video of Doja Cat mimicking ’80s MTV persona Max Headroom interrupted him. Her message transitioned seamlessly right into a efficiency that kicked off with a solo by Kenny G.
Doja Cat, who was seen casually chewing on her lipstick on the pink carpet, pranced throughout the stage performing “Jealous Kind” to raucous applause.
Going into the present, historical past was on the road with Taylor Swift and Beyoncé vying to turn into probably the most awarded artist in VMAs historical past. Every have 30 and have been solely nominated within the artist of the 12 months class, so Gaga’s win will go away them tied for an additional 12 months.
Different performers included Conan Grey, Tate McRae, Jelly Roll, Submit Malone, Alex Warren, J Balvin, Sabrina Carpenter and sombr.
The 2025 MTV VMAs was broadcast by CBS for the primary time.
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