LOS ANGELES:
Lady Gaga, never one to shy away from a headline-making moment, is set to take centre stage once again at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Organisers announced that the pop powerhouse, who already leads the pack with a staggering 12 nominations this year, will also perform at the star-studded ceremony on September 7, live from New York’s UBS Arena.
It marks Gaga’s first VMA performance since 2020, when she stunned audiences with a futuristic medley from her Chromatica album, including the chart-topping duet Rain on Me with Ariana Grande.
This time, the singer arrives as the most-nominated artist, with nods spanning artist of the year and best album for her latest release, Mayhem.
Hot on Gaga’s heels is Bruno Mars, scoring 11 nominations. Their duet Die with a Smile has been recognised in four categories, setting the stage for one of the night’s fiercest rivalries.
Together, they’ve dethroned Taylor Swift, who had dominated nominations over the past two years but this time earned only a single nod in the coveted artist of the year slot.
Joining Gaga and Mars in the top category are Bad Bunny, Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Morgan Wallen and The Weeknd, a lineup that reflects the breadth of global music influence in 2025.
Beyond the headline race, this year’s VMAs will make room for firsts. Two new honorary awards are being introduced: rapper Busta Rhymes will receive the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award for his cultural impact on hip-hop, while Latin pop legend Ricky Martin will be honoured with the first Latin Icon Award.
Both will also perform, adding nostalgic weight to an evening already brimming with musical history.
Meanwhile, Mariah Carey is set to receive the prestigious Video Vanguard Award, joining an elite list of past recipients including Beyonce, Madonna and Shakira.
The VMAs remain, at heart, a performance-driven spectacle, and this year’s lineup underscores that tradition. Alongside Gaga, confirmed acts include Doja Cat, debuting her new single Jealous Type; country breakout Jelly Roll; six-time winner Post Malone; and newcomers Conan Gray and Tate McRae, both making their first appearances on the iconic stage.
Latin star J Balvin will team up with Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavarez for Zun Zun and with DJ Snake for Noventa, while Sabrina Carpenter will return following her breakout VMA moment last year to perform Manchild.
Rising names like Alex Warren, up for three nominations including best new artist, and the enigmatic newcomer sombr are also set to showcase their talents.
Bringing it all together is LL Cool J, who will host the VMAs solo for the first time after previously co-hosting in 2022. The hip-hop veteran, himself nominated for best hip-hop with his Eminem collaboration Murdergram Deux, carries a legacy with the VMAs stretching back three decades.
For the first time, the ceremony will air on CBS, while also being simulcast on MTV and streamed via Paramount+ in the US Fan voting across 19 categories is now open until September 5, with best new artist remaining live during the show.
With Gaga’s glittering return, fresh debut performances, and honours recognising both legacy and innovation, the 2025 VMAs are shaping up to be more than just an awards showthey’re a snapshot of where pop culture has been, and where it’s headed next.
