On September 5th, 2025, MTV’s annual award ceremony the Video Music Awards (VMAs) premiered with extended access on Paramount’s streaming service and CBS.
Kicking off the end of summer, this year’s VMAs featured rapper LL Cool J hosting the ceremony and a diverse selection of artists performing throughout the ceremony with artist Doja Cat as the opening performance, setting the bar high for the rest of the acts.
The act was introduced with a staged interruption by Doja Cat portraying a glammed-up Max Headroom look before transitioning into her very retro-reminiscent and 1980s inspired set. It featured 80s saxophone legend, Kenny G, playing the intro to her Prince-esque song, “Jealous Type”, from her new album “Vie”, released on September 26th of this year.
From the violet-blue synth backdrop of the stage, to the back up dancer’s shoulder-padded outfits and smoothly erratic choreography, Doja Cat’s entire performance is an exaggerated love letter to the aesthetic and music scene of the 1980s.
Starting the awards off strong, artist of the year followed Doja Cat’s performance, presented by multi-genre artist Lenny Kravitz. The notable nominees for the artist of the year award for the 41st VMAs were Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar.
Artist of the year was to be awarded to eccentric pop star Lady Gaga, who revolutionized the music scene once again with her song “Abracadabra”, a dark pop dance tune that broke through the upbeat and peppy songs that dominated the music scene, which she also performed later in the night.
Following her first award of the night, Lady Gaga gave a tear-jerking speech, giving her sentiments on the job of an artist.
“Being an artist is a discipline, a craft meant for reaching into someone’s heart, where it grows its roots and reminding them to dream.”
Lady Gaga, who is particularly known for her campy looks and unique take on her music, alongside being selected as artist of the year, had the most category nominations for this year’s ceremony. She led with 12 total nominations and the most awards received, again setting the bar with 4 awards, further expanding her legacy and impact on the modern music industry.
Song of the year, presented by 2000s icon Paris Hilton, big nominees for the award were; “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish, “APT” by Rosé in collaboration with Bruno Mars and “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga also in collaboration with Bruno Mars.
Song of the year was awarded to “APT”, an annoyingly catchy K-POP record. The award was collected by the ex-Blackpink member, Rosé.
Rosé’s acceptance speech, which she dedicated to her 16-year-old self, focused on the challenge of accepting herself throughout her teenage years
“I might hit a wall and possibly disappoint my 16-year-old self, who grew up always an oddball among society, that wished someday she, too, could be herself and equally pursue her dreams just as well as anyone else I saw on television.”
The headlining act of the VMAs closely followed, a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne to be performed by somewhat reasonable choice, edgelord Yungblud as vocalist and company, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, and Nuno Buttencourt of Extreme Buttencourt.
The act was introduced by Ozzy Osbourne’s son, Jack Osbourne who was joined by his family. The setlist for the tribute included Ozzy Osbourne’s most iconic tunes, “Crazy Train”, “Changes”, and “Mama, I’m Coming Home”. Alongside the butchery Yungblud enacted on each song, the tribute aligned more closely with being a glorified super cover band. With Yungblud being the singer, the so-called tribute came out as a mockery and botched impression of the late king of darkness.
In between the ceremony, came the best album award.
Best album of the year was a tight competition between notable nominees; Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet”, Bad Bunny’s “Debi Tirar Mas Fotos” and upcoming artist Morgan Wallen’s “I’m the Problem”. The category was presented by a rule of three, Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami.
The award was elected to be given to Sabrina Carpenter for her record “Short n’ Sweet”, who also won Best Pop Artist previously in the show.
Sabrina Carpenter, prior to breaking into the industry, was a child star for the Disney Channel, where she starred in the series “Girl Meets World”. Carpenter did a performance earlier in the ceremony, performing her song “Tears” which, similarly to Doja Cat’s opening act, also follows the 80s aesthetic with the set and costumes. The performance opened with Carpenter emerging out of a manhole as she joined her big-haired and frilly back-up dancers. Sabrina Carpenter kept her own male centered aesthetic within the performance, the shirtless male dancers dressed as police officers being a must.
Ending the show was the Video of The Year award.
LL Cool J returns to close the ceremony with presenting the Video of The Year award.
Nominees for the award were, Sabrina Carpenter for “Manchild”, Billie Eilish for “Birds of a Feather”, Kendrick Lamar for “Not Like Us”, Ariana Grande for “Brighter Days Ahead” and Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars for “Die With a Smile”.
Ariana Grande was the recipient for the award for her musical short film, “Brighter Days Ahead”, a moody science fiction flick which she wrote and directed. The film was for the reissue of Grande’s album “Eternal Sunshine”.
The final award marked the end of 2025’s VMAs ceremony.
