The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, mixed high-wattage tributes and headline-winning moments with performances that divided the room and a notable absence from one of music’s biggest stars.
Hosted by LL Cool J, the night awarded Lady Gaga Artist of the Year and capped a string of honors for established performers while showcasing newer acts. Mariah Carey received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award but drew criticism for an underwhelming medley. The ceremony also featured a tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne and a Latin Icon set from Ricky Martin.
Gaga, who skipped the red carpet, accepted Artist of the Year early in the broadcast because she was scheduled to perform later that night at Madison Square Garden as part of her “Mayhem Ball” tour. In her brief acceptance, she dedicated the award to audiences and left the arena quickly to make her concert engagement.
The show opened and closed with a roster that included Tate McRae, Sabrina Carpenter, Busta Rhymes, Jelly Roll and Post Malone, Doja Cat, and Mariah Carey, among others. Ariana Grande, Lenny Kravitz, Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton, Ciara and Ice Spice were among celebrities in attendance. Taylor Swift, nominated for Artist of the Year and fresh off an engagement announcement to Travis Kelce, did not attend.
Ricky Martin’s Latin Icon medley drew one of the louder reactions of the night. Martin performed a string of hits that included “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” “Shake Your Bon-Bon,” “Maria” and “The Cup of Life,” and accepted the Latin Icon Award from Jessica Simpson, thanking fans and reflecting on his decades in music.
The ceremony paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who died in July at 76. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith joined Yungblud and Nuno Bettencourt for renditions of Osbourne-associated songs including “Crazy Train,” “Changes” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” The performers closed the segment by shouting, “Ozzy Osbourne forever!” The tribute followed the recent retirement of Aerosmith from touring because of Tyler’s reported vocal-cord issues.
Mariah Carey’s Vanguard award was one of the night’s major moments but her accompanying medley drew disappointment from some viewers and attendees. Carey used her acceptance speech to call out MTV for the delay in awarding her a Moonman, but critics and social-media reaction said her staged medley featured restrained choreography and lacked the energy expected of a tribute slot.
Rosé of Blackpink won Song of the Year for “APT.” with Bruno Mars, and her acceptance speech extended well beyond the typical allotment, eliciting eye-rolls from some viewers and commentary about pacing during live television.
Other winners included Ariana Grande, who took home Best Pop and Video of the Year; Alex Warren, named Best New Artist; and Sabrina Carpenter, awarded Best Album. The ceremony featured moments that underscored both legacy and contemporary pop currents — from long-running stars receiving lifetime-style recognition to newer artists staking claims on major categories.
Critics and viewers noted the evening’s uneven pacing: extended speeches, drawn-out production cues and a format that at times felt prolonged. Still, standout performances and the Ozzy tribute provided highlights that dominated headlines after the broadcast.
The VMAs on Sunday reflected the industry’s current mix of nostalgia and breakout success while underlining the challenges of balancing awards-show spectacle with live performance demands. Broadcasters and producers will likely face questions about timing and flow as conversations about the show’s most and least successful moments continue in the days ahead.