Relive the highlights of the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards through some of the best snapshots of the evening.
Sexyy Red and Rosé at the MTV Video Music Awards 2025 held at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in New York, New York.
Christopher Polk/Billboard
From Sabrina Carpenter crawling out of a manhole, to Lady Gaga transforming into a haunted doll to Mariah Carey earning her long-awaited first award at the ceremony, the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards certainly did not disappoint when it came to juicy moments.
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Held at New York’s UBS Arena on Sunday (Sept. 7), the VMAs — which were hosted by rap superstar LL Cool J — saw some of music’s biggest stars descended on the arena for an evening of antics. Mariah Carey, who took home the Video Vanguard Award after a career-spanning mashup performance, remarked that this was somehow her first Moon Person in the ceremony’s history. “And I just have one question: What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?” she jokingly growled into the microphone.
Across the other categories, Lady Gaga was the evening’s most nominated artist, earning 12 nods for her work over the last year. After making a brief appearance at the top of the show to accept the artist of the year award, Gaga also gave fans a high-octane, pre-taped performance from The Mayhem Ball of “Abracadbra,” alongside the television debut of her newest song, “The Dead Dance.”
Meanwhile, Carpenter — who was nominated for eight awards and took home album of the year — wowed audiences with her head-turning performance of “Tears.” Using her platform to advocate for queer and trans rights, Sabrina was joined on stage by former stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race, including season 17 contestant Lexi Love, while other dancers held up signs urging the audience at home to “Protect Trans Rights.”
Below, check out some of the best photos taken at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.
Yungblud and Steven Tyler
Image Credit: Arturo Holmes/Getty Images
Yungblud and Steven Tyler perform during a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y.
Hale Grande, Edward Butera, Joan Grande, Frankie Grande, and Ariana Grande
Image Credit: Christopher Polk/Billboard
Hale Grande, Edward Butera, Joan Grande, Frankie Grande, and Ariana Grande at the MTV Video Music Awards 2025 at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y.
Tate McRae
Image Credit: John Shearer/Getty Images
Tate McRae performs during the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y.
Ricky Martin
Image Credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images
Ricky Martin (right) attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y.
Sabrina Carpenter
Image Credit: ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
Sabrina Carpenter performs on stage during the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y.
Rosé and Ariana Grande
Image Credit: Christopher Polk/Billboard
Rosé and Ariana Grande at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y.
Paris Hilton, Malin Akerman, Brittany Snow, and Nicky Hilton Rothschild
Image Credit: Christopher Polk/Billboard
Paris Hilton, Malin Akerman, Brittany Snow, and Nicky Hilton Rothschild at the MTV Video Music Awards 2025 held at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y.
Lexi Love
Image Credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images
Lexi Love attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y.
Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, Manon Bannerman, Yoonchae Jeong, Lara Raj, and Daniela Avanzini of KATSEYE
Image Credit: Christopher Polk/Billboard
Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, Manon Bannerman, Yoonchae Jeong, Lara Raj, and Daniela Avanzini of KATSEYE at the MTV Video Music Awards 2025 held at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y.
Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga
Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga attend the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y.
Sabrina Carpenter
Image Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Sabrina Carpenter performs during the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y.
Bailey Zimmerman and The Kid LAROI
Image Credit: Christopher Polk/Billboard
Bailey Zimmerman and The Kid LAROI at the MTV Video Music Awards 2025 held at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y.
Busta Rhymes and Ciara
Image Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Busta Rhymes and Ciara attend the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y.
Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande
Image Credit: Christopher Polk/Billboard
Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande at the MTV Video Music Awards 2025 held at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y.
Conan Gray
Image Credit: Arturo Holmes/Getty Images
Conan Gray performs during the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y.
Joe Perry, Steven Tyler, and Yungblud
Image Credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images
Joe Perry, Steven Tyler and Yungblud attend the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y.
Doja Cat and FKA twigs
Image Credit: Christopher Polk/Billboard
Doja Cat and FKA twigs at the MTV Video Music Awards 2025 held at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y.
Busta Rhymes and Tyla
Image Credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images
Busta Rhymes and Tyla attend the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 7, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y.
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