The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards delivered a night of celebration and critique, honoring music legends with standout performances and acknowledging some lackluster moments. Held on September 7 at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, and hosted by LL Cool J, the event featured stars like Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, and Ricky Martin, with awards and tributes that captured audience attention.
A emotional highlight was the tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away in July at age 76. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, along with Yungblud and Nuno Bettencourt, performed a powerful medley of Osbourne’s hits including “Crazy Train,” “Changes,” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” The performance, which ended with a unified shout of “Ozzy Osbourne forever,” was particularly poignant given Aerosmith’s recent retirement from touring due to Tyler’s vocal cord issues.
In contrast, Mariah Carey’s acceptance of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award—her first VMA after 35 years—was met with mixed reactions. She humorously called out MTV for the delay in her speech, but her performance medley was criticized for stiff dance moves and minimal effort, leaving some viewers underwhelmed despite her iconic status. Carey tiptoed around the stage in diamonds worth $10 million, emphasizing her legendary persona without much theatricality.
Lady Gaga emerged as a major winner, taking home the Artist of the Year award and delivering a pretaped performance that was hailed as electrifying and “life-changing” by attendees. She dedicated the award to her fans and fiancé Michael before rushing to her own concert at Madison Square Garden, showcasing her dedication and professionalism. Her performance was a standout, with reports of it blowing up social media channels and inspiring high praise.
Ricky Martin received the inaugural Latin Icon Award, presented by Jessica Simpson, and performed a vibrant medley of hits like “Livin’ La Vida Loca” and “Shake Your Bon-Bon.” His speech emphasized unity and breaking cultural boundaries, reflecting on his 40-year career and the power of music to connect people across genres and generations.
On the downside, Rosé’s acceptance speech for Song of the Year with Bruno Mars dragged on with an exhaustive list of thank-yous, lacking the typical cutoff music and testing audience patience. Ariana Grande, who won Best Pop and Video of the Year, faced technical issues with a microphone set too high, forcing her to complain mid-speech and have her director assist, highlighting production flaws.
Taylor Swift’s absence was noticeable, as she skipped the event despite nominations and her strong presence last year, leaving a gap in star power. Other moments included Alex Warren’s humorous Best New Artist speech where he joked about gastrointestinal distress, and Sabrina Carpenter’s provocative performance that involved stripping to a bedazzled bra and a rain-soaked finale, adding to the night’s entertainment.
The show concluded on time, a rare feat for award ceremonies, appreciated by attendees and wrapping up a night that balanced iconic celebrations with areas for improvement in future events.