Lady Gaga won the Artist of the Year award at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, prevailing over a field that included Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Morgan Wallen and The Weeknd.
The win, announced early in the broadcast from UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, marked the first Moon Person presented on the night and capped Gaga’s return to the VMAs after a five-year absence. In her acceptance speech, Gaga discussed the role of art and thanked fans and her fiance, Michael Polansky.
"I thought about what it means to be rewarded for being an artist, being rewarded for something that is already so rewarding," she said, adding that art is "an attempt to connect the souls of people all over the world." She thanked her fans, known as the "Little Monsters," and dedicated the award to the audience. The prize was presented to her by Lenny Kravitz.
The ceremony, hosted by LL Cool J, aired on CBS coast-to-coast for the first time and was simulcast on MTV and streamed on the premium tier of Paramount+. LL Cool J opened the show before being interrupted by Doja Cat, who performed a new song with saxophonist Kenny G. The broadcast featured performances from artists including Doja Cat, Sabrina Carpenter, Mariah Carey, Jelly Roll, Post Malone, Tate McRae and J Balvin.
Ricky Martin was honored with the inaugural Latin Icon Award and performed a medley of his hits, including "Livin' La Vida Loca" and "The Cup of Life." Presented by Jessica Simpson, Martin dedicated the honor to his four children, saying, "Everything I do I do it with you in my mind and my heart." He received the award amid a program that highlighted a wide range of genres and international artists.
Gaga led the evening's nominations with 12, including a nod for Video of the Year for her duet with Bruno Mars, "Die With a Smile." The longtime VMA presence entered the night with 18 prior Moon Person wins. Taylor Swift, who did not release a single or album in the eligibility year, had a single nomination in the Artist of the Year category.
The VMAs presented an expanded slate of categories this year, reflecting pop, hip-hop, rock, alternative, Latin and global genres. Song of the Year was awarded to Rosé and Bruno Mars for "Apt.," and the ceremony included awards and performances across craft categories such as direction, choreography and visual effects.
Presenters across the broadcast included Ciara, Ashlee Simpson Ross, Drew Barrymore, Jessica Simpson, Nikki Glaser, Paris Hilton, Livvy Dunne and Ice Spice. The show mixed staged performances with onstage presentations and film-style segments, continuing MTV’s emphasis on visual storytelling in music promotion.
Organizers emphasized the network’s effort to broaden the VMAs’ reach by placing the show on a major broadcast network for the first time while retaining a streaming simulcast option. The ceremony ran through multiple competitive categories and featured a cross-generational lineup that highlighted established stars and newer acts.
Winners and nominees across dozens of categories reflected both mainstream chart success and critical acclaim, with the night underscoring Lady Gaga’s continued prominence in pop culture and the VMAs’ role as an annual showcase of music videos, live performance and industry honors.