The MTV Video Music Awards aired live on CBS on Sunday night at New York’s UBS Arena.
Hosted by legendary rapper and actor LL Cool J, the ceremony honored some of the biggest music superstars of 2025 and several legendary artists.
Lady Gaga, the leading nominee of the night, was awarded the Artist of the Year award at the beginning of the ceremony before sprinting off to her concert at Madison Square Garden on the same night.
Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter and Rosé also nabbed Moon Person statuettes.
Mariah Carey performed a medley of her greatest hits before accepting the Video Vanguard Award from Ariana Grande. Busta Rhymes was honored with the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award, and set the stage ablaze with a star-studded performance that included rappers Papoose and GloRilla. He also gave a sweet acknowledgment to the late MTV VJ Ananda Lewis, who died of breast cancer at 52. Ricky Martin dazzled audiences with an energetic performance of his hits and made history as the first artist to receive the Latin Icon Award.
