Grande Gaga and Carpenter steal the spotlight at 2025 VMAs

Photo:Reuters

The 2025 Video Music Awards turned into one of the most unforgettable nights in the music world, celebrating both today’s top stars and honoring legends who shaped the industry. The event took place at UBS Arena in New York, where fans witnessed grand performances, emotional speeches, and history-making wins.

Ariana Grande’s Big Moment

Ariana Grande had one of the most memorable nights of her career. Her music video for “Brighter Days Ahead” won Video of the Year, which is the top award of the ceremony. Grande did not stop there; she carried home a total of three awards, making it another successful chapter in her journey as one of the leading voices in global pop music.

Lady Gaga – Artist of the Year

The spotlight also shined brightly on Lady Gaga, who ended the evening as the biggest winner with four awards, including the highly respected Artist of the Year. Interestingly, Gaga accepted the award just days after she was forced to cancel a concert in Miami due to a strained voice. During her speech, Gaga explained that she could not stay for the rest of the show as she had to rush to New York City’s Madison Square Garden for another performance scheduled the same evening.

Fans were in for a surprise when the broadcast later cut to Gaga performing live on stage, where she delivered powerful renditions of “Abracadabra” and “The Dead Dance.”

Sabrina Carpenter’s Success

Sabrina Carpenter, another young star making her mark in music, celebrated a strong night as well. She walked away with three awards, including the prestigious Album of the Year for Short n’ Sweet. Her victory proved her growing influence in the pop world and her strong connection with fans.

Other Major Winners

The night also highlighted global collaborations and diverse music styles:

• Rosé, in partnership with Bruno Mars, won Song of the Year for their hit “APT.”
• KATSEYE grabbed the award for Push Performance of the Year with their song “Touch.”

Bruno Mars later returned to the stage with Lady Gaga to accept the Best Collaboration award for their emotional duet “Die With a Smile.”

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Special Honors for Icons

• The show was not just about new faces but also about recognizing legends who have influenced the music industry for decades.
• Mariah Carey received the prestigious Video Vanguard Award for her long-standing career and iconic contributions to music.
• Busta Rhymes became the first-ever recipient of the Rock the Bells Visionary Award, honoring his creativity and lasting impact on hip-hop.
• Ricky Martin was celebrated with the Latin Icon Award, highlighting his role in bringing Latin music to international audiences.

All three stars did not just accept awards but also thrilled the audience with live performances, proving why their legacies remain unshaken.

New Additions to the VMAs

This year introduced two new award categories, showing how music continues to expand and evolve:

• Best Pop Artist
• Best Country Video

These categories gave space to genres that continue to dominate charts and reflect the growing tastes of music lovers across the world.

The Show and Its Energy

The 2025 ceremony kept fans hooked with a mix of live performances, emotional tributes, and star-studded moments. The event started at 5 p.m. local time and was broadcast live coast-to-coast, giving millions of fans across different time zones the chance to celebrate together. Hosting duties were taken up by hip-hop icon LL Cool J, who kept the crowd engaged and the energy high throughout the night.

The production behind the show was also noteworthy, as the team introduced fresh stage designs, creative lighting, and smooth transitions between live performances and award announcements.

Why the 2025 VMAs Stood Out

The event stood out not only because of the winners but also because of the way it celebrated both old and new stars. It highlighted how the music industry is a blend of history, creativity, and innovation. From Ariana Grande’s emotional wins to Lady Gaga’s surprise live performance, and from Sabrina Carpenter’s career-defining moment to Ricky Martin’s lifetime recognition, the night proved to be a complete celebration of music.

The Bigger Picture

Events like these go beyond trophies and titles. They bring fans closer to their idols, showcase cultural diversity, and remind the world that music has the power to connect people across borders. The 2025 Video Music Awards showed once again that the stage belongs to both the legends and the new generation, and the future of music looks brighter than ever.