1 of 4 | Doja Cat arrives on the red carpet at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards. She gave the first performance of the night, appearing with saxophone player Kenny G. Photo by Angelina Katsanis/UPI | License Photo
Lady Gaga won Artist of the Year Sunday at the MTV Video Music Awards, one of 12 categories for which she was nominated.
She thanked her “little monsters” for “always supporting me and always supporting the monster in me.”
“I hope as you navigate through the mayhem of daily life you are reminded of the importance of art in your life,” Lady Gaga said.
Lady Gaga has the most nominations at this year’s VMAs, including Video of the Year and Song of the Year. She won three categories announced before the live event — for Best Album (Mayhem) and Best Direction and Best Choreography for “Abracadabra.”
I would be lying to you all if I said I didn't tear up during @ladygaga's Artist of the Year #VMAs speech pic.twitter.com/nL82VU6jWi— MTV (@MTV) September 8, 2025
Doja Cat and Kenny G opened the night at UBS Arena in Long Island, N.Y., evoking the 1980s in a performance of Doja Cat’s “Jealous Type.” Best New Artist nominee Lola Young sang her hit, “Messy.”
Latin music artist Ricky Martin sent it back to the late 1990s with “Living’ La Vida Loca” followed by a medley of his biggest hits. He was selected to receive this year’s Latin Icon Award.
Other winners announced ahead of the live show included Tate McRae for Song of the Summer (“Just Keep Watching”); Ariana Grande for Video of the Year (“Brighter Days Ahead”); Kendrick Lamar for Best Hip-Hop (“Not Like Us”); Mariah Carey for Best R&B (“Type Dangerous”); Sombr for Best Alternative (“Back to Friends”); Coldplay for Best Rock (“All My Love”); and Alex Warren for Best New Artist.
Sabrina Carpenter, LL Cool J arrive at 2025 MTV VMAs
Sabrina Carpenter arrives on the red carpet at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at the UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y., on September 7, 2025. Carpenter has eight nominations including Video of the Year for “Manchild.” Photo by Angelina Katsanis/UPI | License Photo
