Yungblud arrived at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards red carpet wearing a gold cross necklace given to him by the late Ozzy Osbourne, underscoring the personal bond between the two artists. The British rocker, born Dominic Harrison, stood shirtless beneath a leather jacket with matching low-rise pants, but it was the pendant — a gift from Osbourne — that drew attention amid the evening’s fashion statements.
Osbourne, the former Black Sabbath frontman who died in July at 76, presented Yungblud with the necklace while filming the music video for Yungblud’s song "The Funeral" in 2022. The exchange was reciprocal: Yungblud gave Osbourne a custom cross of his own during what became the singer’s final live performance in July. After Osbourne’s death, Yungblud posted an Instagram tribute saying, "Your cross around my neck is the most precious thing I own," and said he planned to play Black Sabbath’s "Changes" each night in his honor. Though Yungblud was not a nominee at the VMAs, he is scheduled to perform a tribute on the show with Nuno Bettencourt, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.
Yungblud has spoken openly about his friendship with Osbourne, describing moments of collaboration and mentorship. The exchange of necklaces became a visible symbol of that relationship: Osbourne’s gift in 2022 and Yungblud’s return gift during the elder singer’s last show this July. In interviews leading up to the awards, Yungblud said the onstage tribute would be "good ’ol rock and roll in the name of the king," telling Billboard the performance would honor Osbourne’s influence on multiple generations of rock musicians.
The VMAs tribute represents one of several public remembrances for Osbourne across the music world since his death. Fans, fellow musicians and collaborators have marked his passing with performances, social media tributes and commemorations of his long career with Black Sabbath and as a solo artist. Yungblud’s decision to wear Osbourne’s cross on the red carpet and to perform a dedicated set at the awards ties those public gestures to a personal narrative of mentorship and mutual respect.
Yungblud’s appearance at the VMAs and his planned tribute come as the music community continues to process Osbourne’s death. The singer’s influence on heavy metal and rock is frequently cited by contemporary artists, and Yungblud’s visible remembrance and the onstage homage aim to link that influence to a present-day performance for television and concert audiences.