NEED TO KNOW
The 2025 MTV VMAs are almost here.
The star-studded awards show will take place Sunday evening, Sept. 7, at 8 p.m. at the UBS Arena in New York. Fans can expect an evening full of Moonpersons being handed out, show-stopping performances, and plenty of surprises along the way.
LL Cool J returns to the VMAs stage as the evening’s emcee, his first time as a solo host. Lady Gaga, who is the most-nominated artist of the evening, is expected to perform. Meanwhile, Mariah Carey will be taking home the night’s major honor of the Video Vanguard Award.
Here’s everything to know about the 2025 MTV VMAs.
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Who is nominated at the 2025 MTV VMAs?
This year, Lady Gaga leads the talented slate of nominees with 12 nods. Among the awards she’s been recognized for are Artist of the Year, Best Album for Mayhem, along with Best Direction, Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography for the “Abracadabra” music video.
Following her is Bruno Mars, who shares nominations with Gaga, 39, in the Video of the Year, Song of the Year and Collaboration of the Year categories for their duet “Die With a Smile.”
Kendrick Lamar is also highly nominated this year with 10 nods. Following him are ROSÉ and Sabrina Carpenter with eight nominations each, Ariana Grande and The Weeknd with seven each. Behind them are Billie Eilish with six and Charli xcx with five nominations.
Joining them are ROSÉ, Alex Warren, Gigi Perez, Damiano David, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, sombr, The Marías, JENNIE, Jimin and JISOO, who are among those nominated for the first time by the VMAs.
Two new categories, Best Country and Best Pop Artist, were also introduced this year.
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Who is performing at the 2025 MTV VMAs?
Many talented artists will take the stage at the UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y., on Sunday evening. Sabrina Carpenter, Ricky Martin, Sombr, Alex Warren, J Balvin featuring DJ Snake and Busta Rhymes are slated to perform.
Post Malone, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll, Conan Gray and Tate McRae were also announced as performers for the evening.
Lady Gaga will also perform during the awards show for the first time in five years, when she sang a medley of songs from her 2020 album Chromatica.
Mariah Carey, who is receiving the Video Vanguard Award, is also expected to perform a “show-stopping, career-spanning medley of her biggest hits” to celebrate the honor.
Bailey Zimmerman featuring The Kid LAROI, Lola Young and Megan Moroney will perform at the VMAs Extended Play Stage, presented by Doritos.
Additionally, the preshow broadcast will feature KATSEYE performing “Gnarly” and “Gabriela.”
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Who is hosting the 2025 MTV VMAs?
LL Cool J will serve as the master of ceremonies for the 2025 VMAs. He previously served as cohost for the awards show in 2022 alongside Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow.
This will mark the first time LL Cool J, 57, is steering the ship solo. In 1997, he was the recipient of the Video Vanguard Award.
“I’m giving people a night off from all the madness in the world… so they can have a good time and enjoy music and enjoy everything about music, all the different genres, all the different generations,” the rapper told PEOPLE ahead of the show.
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Who is being honored at the 2025 MTV VMAs?
Three superstars in the music industry will be taking home special awards this Sunday night.
Mariah Carey will be recognized for her achievements in music on Sept. 7 with the Video Vanguard Award. The Songbird Supreme will also take the stage to perform a medley of career-spanning tunes.
Busta Rhymes will be presented with the MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award. Ricky Martin, meanwhile, will take home the Latin Icon Award.
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Who is presenting at the 2025 MTV VMAs?
The Moon People will be handed out by a starry group of people. Jessica Simpson, Ashlee Simpson, and Ciara, along with Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters stars EJAE, REI AMI and Audrey Nuna, who make up the fictional group Huntr/x will serve as presenters throughout the evening.
Drew Barrymore, Livvy Dunne, The Hunting Wives’ stars Brittany Snow and Malin Akerman, Meg Stalter, Nikki Glaser, Paris Hilton, Ice Spice and Latto will also be presenting the awards during the Sept. 7 ceremony. On Friday, Alix Earle, Lenny Kravitz, Luke Grimes and ROSÉ also joined the presenters lineup.
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How to watch the 2025 MTV VMAs:
The 2025 MTV VMAs air live from UBS Arena in New York on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. ET.
Fans can tune into CBS and MTV to watch it live. The ceremony will also stream on Paramount+.
