Wait, did you actually see the look on Ariana Grande’s face when they called her name for Video of the Year? It was pure shock. Honestly, even with all the rumors flying around before the show, the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at the UBS Arena felt like one of those rare nights where the momentum of pop culture shifted in real-time. We’re used to the same three people winning everything, but this year was... different.
Lady Gaga basically owned the building. She walked away with four Moon Persons, including Artist of the Year. It’s funny because some people thought she might be "past her peak" for the VMAs crowd, but then "Die With a Smile" happened. That collaboration with Bruno Mars was inescapable, and it rightfully nabbed Best Collaboration. Gaga is a pro at this. She knows how to build a visual world that the MTV voters—which, let's remember, is mostly us, the fans—just can't ignore.
The Big Winners of MTV Music Awards (2025 Edition)
If you're looking for the data, the 2025 winners of MTV music awards tell a story of a "New Guard" taking over. Ariana Grande wasn't just there to support her Wicked co-stars; she dominated the top of the ballot. "Brighter Days Ahead" took home Video of the Year and Best Pop. It’s a massive win for her, especially considering the competition.
Sabrina Carpenter also had a monster night. She’s been on this incredible run, and seeing her take home Best Album for Short n' Sweet felt like the formal coronation she deserved. She also won Best Pop Artist, a brand-new category that MTV added this year to differentiate between a specific "song" being popular and an artist having a vice grip on the entire culture.
A Breakdown of the Major Categories
- Video of the Year: Ariana Grande – "Brighter Days Ahead"
- Artist of the Year: Lady Gaga
- Song of the Year: Rosé & Bruno Mars – "APT."
- Best New Artist: Alex Warren
- Best Album: Sabrina Carpenter – Short n' Sweet
- Video Vanguard Award: Mariah Carey
Kinda crazy that Rosé and Bruno Mars won Song of the Year for "APT.," right? Well, maybe not. It’s a total earworm. It also marked a massive moment for K-pop representation on the main stage, proving it’s not just a "sub-genre" anymore. It's just... the music we all listen to now.
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Why Taylor Swift Stayed Home
Everyone was asking: "Where's Taylor?"
She was nominated for Artist of the Year, but she didn't show. And honestly? She didn't win. She and Beyoncé entered the night tied for the most VMA wins of all time (30 each), but neither of them added to their tally this time around. Since Taylor is currently gearing up for The Life of a Showgirl release and arguably just finished the biggest tour in human history, she probably figured she’d let someone else have the spotlight for a night.
It’s a weird feeling seeing a winners of mtv music awards list without her name all over it, but it actually made the ceremony more unpredictable. You didn't know who was going to walk up that stage next.
Breakout Stars and Surprise Moments
Alex Warren winning Best New Artist was a "you had to be there" moment. His song "Ordinary" has been everywhere, but seeing him beat out people like The Marías and Gigi Perez shows just how much the TikTok-to-VMA pipeline has solidified.
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Then you have Doechii. She’s been a critic favorite for years, but winning Best Hip-Hop for "Anxiety" felt like the industry finally catching up to her talent. The choreography in that video was insane—easily some of the best we’ve seen since the Missy Elliott era.
The Icons We Honored
MTV usually does a good job of balancing the "new" with the "legendary." This year:
- Mariah Carey received the Video Vanguard Award. Ariana Grande presented it to her, which was a total full-circle moment for fans of both.
- Busta Rhymes got the first-ever Rock the Bells Visionary Award. His medley was, predictably, the highest energy point of the whole broadcast.
- Ricky Martin was named the inaugural Latin Icon.
The Numbers Don't Lie
People say award shows are dying, but the 2025 VMAs actually saw a 42% jump in viewership. Why? Probably because the lineup was actually stacked with people people actually listen to. When you have Stray Kids, Tyla (who won Best Afrobeats, by the way), and Coldplay all under one roof, you’re going to get eyes on the screen.
Tyla’s win for "PUSH 2 START" is worth noting because the Afrobeats category is getting more competitive every year. She beat out giants like Burna Boy and Wizkid. It’s not just about one viral hit anymore; she’s building a real legacy.
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What This Means for the Future of Music
The winners of mtv music awards this year suggest we are moving into a "post-genre" world. Look at the Best Alternative winner, sombr, with "back to friends." Or the fact that Kendrick Lamar took home Best Cinematography for "Not Like Us" while also being a heavy hitter in the mainstream categories. The lines are blurred.
We’re seeing a shift where visual storytelling is becoming just as important as the hook again. For a while, videos felt like an afterthought—just something to put on YouTube. But the winners this year, especially Lady Gaga’s "Abracadabra" (which won Best Direction), prove that artists are willing to spend the money and the creative energy to make something that looks like a movie.
How to Stay Ahead of the Next Awards Season
If you want to keep track of who’s likely to sweep the next round of winners of mtv music awards, you've gotta look at the "MTV PUSH" artists. That’s usually where the Best New Artist winners come from.
Actionable Steps for Music Fans:
- Follow the PUSH Playlist: MTV curates a list of "artists to watch" throughout the year. If they’re on that list in January, they’re usually on the stage in September.
- Watch the Credits: Start paying attention to directors like Dave Meyers or Bethany Vargas. They are the ones shaping the "look" of the winners.
- Vote Early: The VMAs are fan-voted. If you’re annoyed your favorite didn't win, it’s usually because another fandom was more organized on the voting site.
- Check the EMAs: The MTV Europe Music Awards usually happen a few months after the VMAs and often give us a hint of which global artists will cross over to the US market next.
The 2025 cycle proved that while the old legends (Gaga, Mariah) still have the keys to the kingdom, there’s plenty of room for the Sabrinas and Tylas of the world to move in. It’s a good time to be a music fan.