The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards are gearing up to be one of the most star-studded nights in music, with new honors, powerhouse performances, and a major first in broadcasting history.
New Special Honors
This year, MTV introduces two new honorary awards celebrating rap and Latin music legends. Rap icon Busta Rhymes will receive the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award, recognizing his cultural influence and decades-long impact on hip-hop. Meanwhile, Latin superstar Ricky Martin will be honored with the first-ever Latin Icon Award, marking his four-decade career that brought Latin music into the global mainstream. Both artists will also perform on the VMAs stage.
Who’s Performing?
The lineup is stacked. Confirmed performers include:
• Lady Gaga, leading this year’s nominations with 12 nods.
• Doja Cat, Post Malone, Jelly Roll, Conan Gray, Tate McRae and more.
• Sabrina Carpenter, who returns after winning Song of the Year last year, will perform her hit “Manchild.”
• J Balvin will team with Justin Quiles, Lenny Tavárez, and DJ Snake for collaborations including “Zun Zun” and “Noventa.”
• Alex Warren (up for Best New Artist) and Sombr will make their VMA performance debuts.
The Host
Hip-hop legend LL Cool J takes on hosting duties solo for the first time. A VMAs veteran, he first won in 1991 and became the first rapper to receive the Video Vanguard Award in 1997. This year, he’s also nominated for Best Hip-Hop with “Murdergram Deux” featuring Eminem.
The Vanguard Award
Pop legend Mariah Carey will receive the coveted Video Vanguard Award, celebrating her groundbreaking visuals and enduring influence. She will mark the moment with a medley performance.
When and Where
The 2025 VMAs will air live on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 8 p.m. ET, from UBS Arena on Long Island, New York.
How to Watch
For the first time ever, the VMAs will be broadcast live on CBS, alongside MTV, and available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.
Nominations
Lady Gaga tops the field with 12 nominations, followed by Bruno Mars (11), Kendrick Lamar (10), Sabrina Carpenter and ROSÉ (8 each), Ariana Grande and The Weeknd (7 each), and Billie Eilish (6). Their collaborations, including Gaga and Mars’ “Die With a Smile,” are among the night’s biggest contenders.
Other top nominees include Bad Bunny, Doechii, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Miley Cyrus, and Tate McRae with four nods each. Fan-favorite Charli XCX picked up five nominations for her summer anthem “Guess” featuring Eilish.
How to Vote
Fans can vote online at the VMAs website—up to 10 times per day across 19 categories. Voting closes Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. ET, except for Best New Artist, which stays open through the live broadcast.
