Recapping the MTV VMAs

On the evening of September 7, 2025, millions of people tuned in to their televisions to watch one of the most coveted award ceremonies in the music industry: the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). Established in 1984 by MTV, the VMAs have served as a significant social force in American culture, featuring iconic moments like Kanye snatching Taylor Swift’s award and performances from superstars like Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, and Eminem.

Forty-one years later, the show still holds a special place in many people’s hearts: this year’s broadcast saw a record-breaking 5.5 million viewers, a six-year high, according to Billboard.

This rise in viewership was largely due to the VMAs being broadcast on CBS this year instead of the more inconspicuous MTV network. However, the large number of viewers can also be attributed to people’s genuine interest in music award shows. Indeed, music plays a major part in many people’s lives, and award shows like the VMAs can be seen as a way for listeners to connect with their favorite artists.

The MTV VMAs also offer a more fan-oriented experience that is especially enticing for music lovers. As opposed to other award shows, most VMAs categories are determined by fan votes instead of professional opinions. Fans can vote for categories like “Artist of the Year,” “Song of the Year,” and the most prestigious “Video of the Year” Award.

This year, the VMAs was hosted by a range of A-listers, including Mariah Carey, LL Cool J, and Ice Spice.

Three artists emerged as the most loved by fans: Lady Gaga took home four awards, while Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each took home three. Although Lady Gaga was the night’s biggest winner, Ariana Grande performed exceptionally well, with the singer taking home the Best Long Form Video, Best Pop, and the most coveted Video of the Year award for her Brighter Days Ahead album. Other notable winners included Bruno Mars, Tate McRae, Doechii, and Mariah Carey, who each received two awards. Some well-loved artists, however, did not receive any awards; The Weeknd, Billie Eilish, and Chappell Roan all walked away empty-handed.

Perhaps the most looked-forward to segments of the VMAs are its iconic live performances. Los Angeles based girl group Katseye opened the awards ceremony with a bang, performing their hit songs “Gnarly” and “Gabriela.” The main show included performances of Doja Cat’s “Jealous Type,” Alex Warren’s mega hit “Ordinary,” and Sombr’s “Back to Friends.” Among the night’s many stupefying performances, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Tears” was unequivocally the most well-received and innovative, with the singer’s set replicating the streets of New York City and the performance serving as a call for trans rights. Her performance is a show of how award ceremonies like the VMAs are not only for music, but can also be a way to advocate for social justice.

If your favorite artist did not win this year, make sure to diligently vote for them next year and in the many years to come!