The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) lit up New York City on 7 September, bringing together some of the world’s biggest music stars for one of the industry’s most exciting nights. This year, the spotlight firmly belonged to Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, and Ariana Grande, who walked away as the evening’s biggest winners.
Who were the big winners?
It was a remarkable night for female artists. Rising star Sabrina Carpenter earned three awards from an impressive eight nominations. Her album Short n’ Sweet was crowned Album of the Year, while she also picked up Best Pop Artist. Carpenter also took home the award for visual effects with her track Manchild and treated fans to a performance of “Tears” from her latest record.
Ariana Grande matched Carpenter’s success, collecting three awards of her own. Her video for Brighter Days Ahead won both Best Video of the Year and long-form video, along with another win for Best Pop.
But the night ultimately belonged to Lady Gaga. Leading the way with 12 nominations, she walked away with four trophies, including the coveted Artist of the Year title. Gaga also picked up awards for direction and art direction with her single Abracadabra, and she secured Best Collaboration for her duet with Bruno Mars.
Accepting Artist of the Year, Lady Gaga reflected on her career: “Being an artist is an attempt to connect the souls of people all over the world… a craft meant for reaching into someone’s heart, where it grows its roots, and reminding them to dream.”
VMA records and history
While this year’s awards celebrated new winners, the all-time VMA leaderboard still belongs to Taylor Swift. In 2024, she picked up seven trophies in one night, making her the most decorated solo artist in VMA history with 30 wins. Beyoncé follows closely behind with 26 solo wins, alongside additional victories with Destiny’s Child and Jay-Z.
Although neither Taylor Swift nor Beyoncé released an album this past year, both artists continued to dominate headlines with their massive world tours. They were each nominated for Artist of the Year in 2025 but lost out to Lady Gaga.
A night to remember
The 2025 VMAs highlighted the power and influence of today’s leading female artists, with unforgettable performances, emotional speeches, and record-breaking wins. From Kendrick Lamar to global icons like Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, and Sabrina Carpenter, the night was a celebration of artistry, creativity, and connection on music’s biggest stage.
