VMAs 2025 Full List of Winners: Who Slayed, Who Stumbled, and Who Stole the Show

The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards were nothing short of a glitter-drenched rollercoaster of wild performances, red carpet chaos, and enough dramatic category upsets to keep pop culture Twitter buzzing until next week. If you missed the live show (you know, because life), we’ve got you covered with the ultimate guide to the VMAs full list of winners, hot takes included.

From Ariana Grande’s glittery triumph to Lady Gaga’s continued reign as pop royalty, and Sabrina Carpenter’s not-so-underdog sweep, this year’s VMAs were stacked with surprises, upsets, and memes-in-the-making. Whether you’re a die-hard stan or just here for the drama, this list is your go-to cheat sheet.

Why the VMAs Still Matter (Kind Of)

Let’s be real — the MTV VMAs may not carry the industry clout of the Grammys, but they are the pop culture Super Bowl. With flashy visuals, unexpected collabs, and iconic acceptance speeches (some more chaotic than others), the VMAs still manage to capture the internet’s attention every year.

Plus, in a world where everything is algorithm-driven, it's kinda refreshing to see artists fight it out in categories that actually honor music videos. You know, the thing MTV used to be about before reality shows took over. Nostalgia is alive and well, folks.

VMAs 2025: The Biggest Winners and Shockers

Below is the complete list of VMAs 2025 winners, with the main categories and a few spicy notes on who won, who got robbed, and who definitely paid their PR team overtime this year.

Video of the Year

• Winner: Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead

• Nominees: Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars, ROSÉ & Bruno Mars, Sabrina Carpenter, The Weeknd with Playboi Carti

Ariana said “I’m back” and dropped a cinematic masterpiece that snatched the biggest trophy of the night. Honestly, deserved.

Artist of the Year

• Winner: Lady Gaga

• Nominees: Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd

Mother Monster is back at it, reminding everyone she’s not just here to sing — she’s here to dominate.

Song of the Year

• Winner: ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – APT.

• Nominees: Billie Eilish, Ed Sheeran, Doechii, Gracie Abrams, Lorde, Tate McRae, The Weeknd, Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars

ROSÉ and Bruno delivered smooth vocals, a catchy chorus, and a vibe strong enough to edge out literal pop gods. Not mad at it.

Best New Artist

• Winner: Alex Warren

• Nominees: Gigi Perez, The Marías, Lola Young, Sombr, Ella Langley

From TikTok to the VMAs, Alex Warren pulled a full glow-up. The internet can’t be stopped.

Song of the Summer

• Winner: Tate McRae – Just Keep Watching

• Nominees: Addison Rae, Chappell Roan, Doja Cat, Demi Lovato, Sabrina Carpenter, Morgan Wallen and more

Tate gave us a pop banger tailor-made for pool parties and car karaoke. If you didn’t scream-sing this one on the highway, you’re lying.

Best Pop

• Winner: Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead

• Nominees: Alex Warren, Ed Sheeran, ROSÉ & Bruno Mars, Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars

Ariana’s chokehold on the pop category continues. Give the girl a trophy and a sparkle filter.

Best Collaboration

• Winner: Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile

• Nominees: ROSÉ & Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco

Gaga and Bruno = chaos and charm in equal measure. Their energy? Unmatched.

Best Album

• Winner: Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet

• Nominees: Lady Gaga, The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, Morgan Wallen

Sabrina went from Disney to dominating, and honestly? Pop girlies better watch their backs.

Best Hip-Hop

• Winner: Doechii – Anxiety

• Nominees: Drake, Kendrick Lamar, GloRilla, Eminem, LL Cool J, Travis Scott

Doechii pulled off the upset of the year and looked amazing doing it. Rap needs more of this.

Best R&B

• Winner: Mariah Carey – Type Dangerous

• Nominees: SZA, Chris Brown, The Weeknd, Partynextdoor, Summer Walker

Mariah returned to claim her R&B crown. A little nostalgia, a little drama, and a whole lot of runs.

Best Rock

• Winner: Coldplay – All My Love

• Nominees: Green Day, Linkin Park, Evanescence, Twenty One Pilots

Coldplay somehow stays in the game without aging a day. Probably drinking youth juice.

Best K-Pop

• Winner: Lisa ft. Doja Cat & Raye – Born Again

• Nominees: Aespa, Jisoo, Jimin, Jennie, Stray Kids, ROSÉ

Lisa serving K-pop-meets-global-superstar realness. Bonus points for the Doja feature.

Best Latin

• Winner: Shakira – Soltera

• Nominees: Bad Bunny, Karol G, Peso Pluma, Rauw Alejandro & Romeo Santos

Shakira dropped a banger and twerked on patriarchy. Queen behavior.

Best Group

• Winner: Blackpink

• Nominees: Seventeen, Jonas Brothers, My Chemical Romance, Katseye, Imagine Dragons

Blackpink in your area… again. Blinks, rise.

Best Visual Effects

• Winner: Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild

• Nominees: Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, ROSÉ & Bruno Mars, Tate McRae

This video looked like a perfume ad meets dystopian fashion shoot. Iconic.

Push Performance of the Year

• Winner: Katseye – Touch (January 2025)

• Nominees: Ayra Starr, Shaboozey, Dasha, Gigi Perez, Role Model

Katseye had the kind of debut that screams “we’re about to be everywhere.” And we believe it.

Special Awards and Icon Moments

• Video Vanguard Award: Mariah Carey (finally)

• Latin Icon Award: Ricky Martin (nostalgia tears incoming)

• Rock the Bells Visionary Award: Busta Rhymes (you already know it was a speech to remember)

If this year’s VMAs proved anything, it’s that legacy artists still have it, and the new class isn’t here to play nice.

Final Thoughts: Who Ran the VMAs 2025?

Here’s your quick recap if you’re just here for the gossip:

• Ariana Grande had a huge night with multiple wins and a glittery live performance that melted the internet.

• Lady Gaga swept the major categories like it was 2010 again. Mother is mothering.

• Sabrina Carpenter came in cute and left crowned.

• Doechii, ROSÉ, and Tyla proved they’re not just “rising” stars — they’ve already arrived.

• Mariah Carey reminded us why she’s forever an icon.

Join the Conversation

Who do you think was snubbed at the 2025 VMAs? Was Kendrick robbed? Should Taylor have walked away with more? Did Blackpink win because of actual impact or just stan power?

Drop your thoughts, hot takes, and best meme captions below. Let’s keep the pop culture tea piping hot.