2025 MTV VMAs Broadcast Live on CBS Featuring Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Mariah Carey

The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, hosted by LL Cool J and broadcast live on CBS for the first time, celebrated a broad range of artists and featured a nostalgic emphasis on Generation X performers such as Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, and Ricky Martin, who received the first Latin Icon Award. Lady Gaga emerged as the night's top winner, receiving Artist of the Year among her 12 nominations and dedicating her wins to her fans while balancing the event with her Mayhem Ball tour. The ceremony included strong queer representation, highlighted by Sabrina Carpenter's performance supporting trans and queer solidarity and Gaga's presence and speeches. Younger artists like Sombr and viral sensations were also featured, demonstrating a bridging of generations and music styles. Fashion was a notable aspect, with many Black artists making memorable style statements on the red carpet, including Ciara, Doja Cat, and Ice Spice. Despite competition from other major events, the VMAs maintained a vibrant celebration of music's diversity and cultural impact, underscoring music as a unifying force.