It was night for the icon.
On Sunday, the 2025 Video Music Awards returned to UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. Some of the biggest stars of music spent their due dates in the most dragged way possible.
The night hosted by LL Cool J was awarded the renowned Michael Jackson Vidauard Awards, with Ricky Martin, Tate Mcrae, Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga, Busta Rhymes, Jelly Roll and Post Malone, Sombr, Steven Tyler, Yungblud, Doja Cat and Mariah Carey.
Ariana Grande, Rennie Kravitz, Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton, Ciara and Ice Spice also participated in the event. Taylor Swift has freshly engaged to Travis Kelce, and has noted that he attended last year and was nominated for Artist of the Year, but has been significantly skipped the ceremony.
Apart from Carrie, other winners of the evening included Artist of the Year Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande from Best Pop Awards, Video of the Year of the Year, Alex Warren from Best New Artist, and Sabrina Carpenter from Best Album.
This is the best and worst moments of the 2025 VMA.
Best: Lady Gaga won Artist of the Year – and go straight to her concert
After skipping the red carpet, Lady Gaga took to the stage early in the evening and accepted the Artist of the Year Award. The trophy was quickly distributed for Gaga’s “Mayhemball” show at Madison Square Garden, which is happening tonight, but later happened for the VMA. During her acceptance speech, Gaga dedicated her awards to the audience and told them she “deserves the stage of sparkling.” Gaga then leapt out of the building for another performance with MSG, like the Absolute Pro.
Worst: Rose’s speech
Where is that cutoff music when you need it? Rose gave an endless acceptance speech when she won the song of the year for “apt.” With Bruno Mars. Standing solo on stage, the K-Pop superstar was grateful for feeling like everyone in the world. When you thought it was over, it wasn’t.
Best: Ricky Martin’s Performance
Ricky Martin proved why he became a superstar in the Latin icon medley for 40 years. He performed his biggest hits, including “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” “Shake Your Bon-Bon,” “Maria,” and “The Cop of Life,” when the audience was absolutely wild. Martin then humbly embraced the Latin Icon Award from his longtime friend Jessica Simpson. “I’ve been working and working since I was a baby, and we’re still here,” he told the crowd. “We just want to unite our nation. We just want to break the boundaries. And we just want to keep the music alive.”
Worst: Mariah Carey is overwhelming
Go to the girl and give it anything! Mariah Carey took home the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Awards and had no problem calling out MTV that it took so long to give her Moonman during her speech. However, her medley performance of her biggest hits was awfully lacking, with some very stiff dance moves. Carrie is definitely an icon, but she had a better night.
Best: Ozzy Osbourne’s Tribute
The awards show paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne with performances by Aerosmith, Yungblud and Nunovetten Court’s Stephen Tyler and Joe Perry. They performed the late Black Sabbath frontman’s biggest hits, including “Crazy Train,” “Change,” and “Mom, I’m Back Home,” after their death at the age of 76 in July. At the end of the tribute, the musician cried out, “Ozzy Osbourne is forever!” The performance came after Aerosmith retired from touring due to issues with Tyler’s vocal chords.
Worst: No Taylor Swift
What is the award show without Taylor Swift? The pop star joined the VMA last year, where she took home the seven Moonmen as the most admired artists of the night. However, Swift’s lack of star power was felt at the 2025 ceremony. Luckily, Swifties has her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
