MTV's celebration of the year's best music videos was full of millennial nostalgia, with Ricky Martin, Busta Rhymes and Mariah Carey recognised for their contributions to the industry.
Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande took home major awards of the night, winning four and two "Moonmen" respectively.
Here were some of the other highlights from the ceremony, including the list of winners and some red carpet looks.
Lady Gaga wins Artist of the Year and then runs to her concert
The show opened with Lady Gaga winning the award for Artist of the Year.
Beating megastars like Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny, the singer dedicated the award to her fans and partner.
"You very much deserve a stage to shine on, and I give you all my applause," she told the VMAs audience.
But the artist couldn't stay, as she had to race across New York City to perform for her tour.
"I wish I could stay and watch all these amazing performances, but I have to go back to Madison Square Garden," she said.
Lady Gaga led award nominations with 12 nods for her album Mayhem.
She won four.
"Thank you 'little monsters', my fans, for always supporting me and for always supporting the monster in me," she said.
"And to my partner in all things, Michael, creating this year with you was a beautiful, beautiful dream, and you have been my partner every step of the way. I dedicate this to you, too, my love."
Later in the show, a live stream showed her performance of the songs Abracadabra and Dead Dance at her concert.
She will take her tour, the Mayhem Ball, to Australia in December.
Gaga's win prevented the nominated Beyonce or Taylor Swift from emerging as the most honoured artist in VMA history. The pair remain tied at 30 VMAs each.
Mariah Carey takes home first VMA and the Video Vanguard award
Ariana Grande, who is often compared vocally with Mariah Carey, introduced the pop diva's Video Vanguard performance, where she sang a medley of her greatest hits, including We Belong Together, Fantasy and Obsessed.
"As a songwriter and producer, she's given us an anthem for every occasion," Ariana Grande said before introducing Carey.
"As a vocalist, there's only one queen, and that's Mariah.
"She knows no limits with her iconic 5-octave range and has left an irrevocable impact with her tone, technique and sound."
Despite winning the Video Vanguard Award, Mariah Carey won her first VMA (Best R&B song) during the 2025 awards.
"I don't know why it took so long. Just kidding," she said.
"I just have one question, what in the Sam Hill are you waiting for?" she later told the audience.
"Music videos are my way of life, of bringing music to my own life.
"And let's be honest, sometimes there's just an excuse to bring the drama and do things I wouldn't do in real life."
Tributes for Ozzy Osbourne
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and singer Yungblud performed a stirring rendition of some of Ozzy Osbourne's greatest hits in tribute to the metal icon who died last month.
The Prince of Darkness's son, Jack, and his grandchildren introduced the tribute with his famous catchphrase, "Let's go Crazy!"
The performance opened with British singer Yungblud singing Crazy Train.
Yungblud is known for his close relationship with Osbourne and seemed emotional as he sang Black Sabbath's song Changes.
The 27-year-old alt-rock and punk-rock artist's 2022 music video The Funeral featured Sharon and Ozzy.
Following Osbourne's death, he wrote online: "I will never forget you — you will be in every single note I sing and with me every single time I walk on stage … You were the greatest of all time."
Steven Tyler and Joe Perry joined him to sing Mama, I'm Coming Home.
"Ozzy forever," Yungblud said as he ended the performance.
Video of the Year goes to Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande took home the biggest award of the night, Video of the Year, for her song Brighter Days Ahead.
She opened her speech with a joke about her height as she tried to lower the microphone.
The singer, who just this year starred in Wicked, released an album and announced a tour, took her second speech of the night to thank her fans and collaborators.
"Art has been a safe space for me since I was a kid," she said.
"I'm so grateful that I get to do this with my life and to have such fiercely loving and supportive fans."
She said the song was "about the hard work that is healing all different kinds of trauma and coming home to our young selves and creating safety in our own lives, which is a lifelong process and a daily exercise."
"If you're on that journey, please continue onward because I promise there are brighter days ahead."
Busta Rhymes, Ricky Martin's careers celebrated
Two new achievement awards were introduced at this year's ceremony to celebrate Ricky Martin and Busta Rhymes.
Busta Rhymes received the Rock the Bells Visionary Award, which celebrated his "boundary-breaking cultural impact and indomitable musical career".
He performed a medley of hits, and in his speech, he honoured MTV VJ Ananda Lewis, who died of cancer in June.
He also made a point about how it took decades to win his first VMA award.
"Next time y'all take 35 years to give me one of these, y'all gonna let me talk as long as I want."
Martin was presented with the first-ever Latin Icon Award, 26 years after he took home a VMA for his hit Livin' la Vida Loca.
He thanked his children and his fans.
"Thank you so much for your applause. I am addicted to your applause," he said.
"That's why I keep coming back."
Sabrina Carpenter makes a statement during her performance
During the performance of her new single Tears, Sabrina Carpenter took to the stage with an ensemble of drag queens.
They held up signs that read "Protect Trans Rights", "Dolls Dolls Dolls" and "Support Drag".
It was perhaps one of the only big political moments in an otherwise very uncontroversial VMAs.
President Donald Trump's decision to recognise only two sexes — male and female — has sparked growing concern and confusion among the LGBTQIA+ community in the United States.
Mr Trump signed an executive order recognising only male and female sexes and declaring they cannot be changed, shortly after being sworn in as president.
Stars hit the red carpet in eye-catching colours
Winner's list
Many awards were announced on social media after the show and some were presented during the pre-show.
- Best new artist — Alex Warren
- Best country — Megan Moroney
- Best R&B — Mariah Carey, Type Dangerous
- Best k-pop — Lisa ft. Doja Cat & Raye, "Born Again
- Best alternative — Sombr, Back to Friends
- Best AfroBeats — Tyla, Push 2 Start"
- Song of the summer — Tate McRae, Just Keep Watching
- Artist of the year — Lady Gaga
- Song of the year — Rosé & Bruno Mars, APT.
- MTV Push Performance of the Year —Katseye
- Best album — Sabrina Carpenter, Short n' Sweet
- Best pop — Ariana Grande
- Best collaboration — Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars, Die With A Smile
- Video of the year — Ariana Grande, Brighter Days Ahead
- Best pop artist: Sabrina Carpenter
- Best hip-hop: Doechii
- Best rock: Coldplay — ALL MY LOVE
- Best Latin: Shakira — Soltera
- Best long-form video: Ariana Grande, Brighter Days Ahead
- Video for good: Charli xcx, Guess featuring Billie Eilish
- Best group: BLACKPINK
- Best direction: Lady Gaga, Abracadabra
- Best cinematography: Kendrick Lamar, Not Like Us
- Best visual effects: Sabrina Carpenter, Manchild
- Best choreography: Doechii, Anxiet
- Best art direction: Lady Gaga, Abracadabra
- Best editing: Tate McRae — Just Keep Watching
The full list of nominations can be found here.
