MTV’s 2025 Video Music Awards: A Star-Studded Celebration on the Horizon
Music enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly anticipating the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, set to be a spectacular showcase of talent, innovation, and cultural influence. This year’s ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, September 7, at 8 p.m. ET, will broadcast live from UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, marking the second consecutive year at this Long Island venue. The VMAs have always been a pivotal moment in music’s annual calendar, but this year’s edition promises even more excitement with the addition of two new categories: Best Country and Best Pop Artist. Music royalty Lady Gaga leads the nominations with an impressive 12 nods, closely followed by Bruno Mars with 11 and Kendrick Lamar with 10. Other multi-nominated artists include Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, Billie Eilish, and The Weeknd. Meanwhile, the ongoing friendly rivalry between Beyoncé and Taylor Swift continues as both compete for Artist of the Year and the distinction of most VMAs wins in history.
The ceremony will be easily accessible to fans, airing live on CBS and MTV, with Paramount+ Premium subscribers able to stream the event in real-time. For those unable to watch live, Paramount+ Essential subscribers can enjoy the show on-demand the following day. Fan participation remains central to the VMAs experience, with voting open until September 5 at 6 p.m. ET through vote.mtv.com for most categories. The exception is Best New Artist, which will remain open for votes during the live broadcast, creating real-time excitement and engagement. The Song of the Year category will undergo a narrowing process on August 18, when the field reduces to six nominees. To encourage active participation, MTV has created several opportunities for fans to cast additional votes, including commenting on pinned posts on the @VMAs Instagram account using artist-specific hashtags and participating in the daily “Power Hour” presented by Bacardi, which offers double votes per category.
The VMAs stage will feature performances from an impressive lineup of today’s most celebrated artists. Sabrina Carpenter, whose star has risen dramatically in the past year, will showcase her talents alongside Alex Warren, J Balvin featuring DJ Snake, and Sombr. The second wave of performers announced includes Conan Gray, who will perform “Vodka Cranberry,” Doja Cat delivering the first televised performance of her new single “Jealous Type,” Jelly Roll, Post Malone, and Tate McRae. Adding to the night’s significance, special honorees Busta Rhymes and Ricky Martin will also take the stage. Rhymes will receive the inaugural MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to hip-hop, while Martin will be honored with the first-ever Latin Icon Award, celebrating his influence on global music and Latin pop culture.
Guiding viewers through this celebration of music excellence will be hip-hop legend LL Cool J, who returns to VMA hosting duties, this time flying solo after previously sharing the responsibility with Jack Harlow and Nicki Minaj in 2022. LL Cool J’s relationship with the VMAs runs deep – he won his first Moon Person in 1991 and became the first rapper to receive the prestigious Video Vanguard Award in 1997. His experience hosting the Grammy Awards for five consecutive years (2012-2016) has well-prepared him for the spontaneity and energy of the VMAs. His presence adds another layer of musical credibility to an already star-studded event, bridging generations of music lovers and creating continuity in MTV’s celebration of musical innovation.
In a particularly meaningful moment of music history coming full circle, the incomparable Mariah Carey will receive this year’s Video Vanguard Award – the same honor she presented to LL Cool J in 1997. This marks Carey’s return to the VMAs stage after a twenty-year absence, making the evening even more special for longtime fans. As the best-selling female artist of all time, Carey’s recognition feels both overdue and perfectly timed. Viewers can anticipate an unforgettable, career-spanning medley of her biggest hits during the ceremony. Her current nomination in the Best R&B category for “Type Dangerous” demonstrates her continued relevance and artistic evolution. This moment represents not just a celebration of Carey’s illustrious past, but an acknowledgment of her enduring influence on contemporary music.
The 2025 VMAs reflect the evolving landscape of music while honoring its rich traditions. First-time nominees receiving multiple nods include emerging talents Alex Warren, Gigi Perez, Lola Young, and The Marías, while established artists from global groups are making their solo debuts on the nomination list, including Damiano David, Rosé, Jennie, Jimin, and Jisoo. This blend of new voices and veteran performers highlights MTV’s commitment to showcasing the full spectrum of musical talent. As September 7 approaches, anticipation builds for unexpected collaborations, fashion moments, and the spontaneous incidents that have made the VMAs legendary over the decades. Beyond the awards themselves, the show promises to deliver cultural touchstones that will be discussed and remembered long after the final Moon Person is awarded. In an era of fragmented media consumption, the VMAs remain one of music’s few truly communal experiences – a night where artists, industry professionals, and fans worldwide unite to celebrate the power of music and visual storytelling.
