By Loren Karp
Correspondent
The 41st MTV Video Music Awards was a night full of celebration, honoring some of the most popular musicians across various genres. On Sept. 7, the annual awards show aired for the first time on CBS, and simultaneously on MTV and Paramount+. New York’s UBS Arena was lit up with some of the most groundbreaking and powerful performances, hosted by rapper and actor LL Cool J.
Lady Gaga dominated all the other winners with four Moon trophies, including the prestigious Artist of the Year, a title previously held by Taylor Swift in 2023 and 2024. Gaga dedicated her win to her fans and “partner in all things,” Michael Polansky.
“Creating this year with you has been a beautiful, beautiful dream,” Gaga said in her emotional acceptance speech. “You have been my partner every step of the way.” Additionally, she took home Best Collaboration for “Die With a Smile” with Bruno Mars, and her hit song “Abracadabra” won her both Best Direction and Best Art Direction.
The night also brought a milestone to another icon. After nine nominations, Mariah Carey finally won her first VMA, Best R&B Video, for “Type Dangerous.” She also received the honor of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, presented by Ariana Grande.
Carey drew an excited crowd with a special performance of melodies from her greatest hits, including “Fantasy,” “Honey,” “Heartbreaker,” Obsessed,” “It’s Like That,” and “We Belong Together.” Carey even gave a real treat to her fans with a surprise debut of her new single, “Sugar Sweet,” from her upcoming album, “Here For It All,” out on Sept. 26.
Ariana Grande also had her own memorable moment, shining on stage as she claimed three trophies. Earning the awards of Video of the Year, Best Long-Form Video and Best Pop for her “Brighter Days Ahead,” Grande thanked her fans for “growing with me and being so supportive of me as a human being,” whether that has been for her acting or singing.
Pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter, making her debut last year with a performance of songs such as “Espresso,” “Please Please Please” and “Taste,” returned to the stage this year to perform her hit single, “Tears,” off of her critically acclaimed new album “Man’s Best Friend.”
Nominated for eight awards, Carpenter matched Grande, walking away with three of her own. Her album “Short n’ Sweet” was recognized as Best Album, while she also received Best Pop Artist, and the Best Visual Effects Award for her recent song “Manchild.”
Accepting the top album honor, she expressed her gratitude in a heartfelt speech reflecting on the power of music in a challenging society. “This world, as we all know, can be so full of criticism and discrimination and negativity,” Carpenter said. “So to get to be a part of something so, often more than not, that is something that can bring you light, make you smile, make you dance, and make you feel like the world is [yours], I am so grateful. So grateful to do that.”
Amongst these well-known artists are some breakout artists making their mark in the spotlight. Canadian singer Tate McRae brought fans to their feet with a high-energy performance of “Revolving Door” and “Sports Car” with background dancers.
McRae later won Song of the Summer and Best Editing for the single “Just Keep Watching,” heard in “F1.” Additionally, rising pop star Sombr made his award show debut on stage with his viral hits, “12 to 12” and “back to friends,” from his new album “I Barely Know Her.” Other performances included Conan Gray for “Vodka Cranberry,” Doja Cat for “Jealous Type,” Post Malone with Jelly Roll for “Losers” and Ricky Martin for a medley of hits, including “Livin’ La Vida Loca.”
Like Gaga, Rosé also won for her collaboration with Bruno Mars, taking the Song of the Year award for “APT.” Best New Artist was given to Alex Warren, Ricky Martin accepted the Inaugural Latin Icon Award and Busta Rhymes received the Rock the Bells Visionary Award for his influence on the genre. Other awards, genre-specific, went to Coldplay for Best Rock, Shakira for Best Latin, Tyla for Best Afrobeats, and Doechii for Best Hip Hop for her song “Anxiety.”
This year’s awards show brought a new set of audience members across the globe, with a record of having the largest outcome of watchers in six years. As the lights dimmed on another ceremony, the 2025 show affirmed the magic and power of music that brightened across generations.
