MTV VMAs 2025 promises an unforgettable night with Mariah Carey receiving the Video Vanguard Award, performances by Post Malone, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll, and more, plus a star-studded list of nominees led by Lady Gaga
The MTV VMAs 2025 are shaping up to be one of the most iconic nights in music and pop culture history. Set to take place on Sunday, September 7 at UBS Arena in New York, this year’s show boasts a powerhouse lineup that has fans buzzing as if they were counting down to the premiere of a blockbuster film. With names like Mariah Carey, Post Malone, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll, Conan Gray, and Tate McRae hitting the stage, the internet is already declaring it a night to remember.
The biggest headline? Mariah Carey will receive the prestigious Video Vanguard Award, cementing her legendary status with a career-spanning medley performance. Fans are already imagining glitter cannons, choirs, and iconic diva energy taking over the stage. Alongside her, hip-hop icon Busta Rhymes will be honored with the Rock the Bells Visionary Award, while Latin superstar Ricky Martin will receive the Latin Icon Award — bringing multiple generations of music royalty into one unforgettable evening.
As for performances, Post Malone returns to the VMAs for the first time since 2018. This time, he’s not just performing — he’s also nominated for Best Collaboration with Blake Shelton for their hit “Pour Me a Drink.” Meanwhile, Doja Cat is set to debut her new single “Jealous Type” live on television, and if her past VMAs performances are anything to go by (yes, including the unforgettable alien look of 2021), fans are bracing themselves for another jaw-dropping moment.
Country-rap crossover star Jelly Roll, who opened last year’s show alongside Eminem, is chasing four awards this year and promises to deliver his most emotional performance yet. Rising stars are also stepping into the spotlight: Conan Gray will make his main stage debut after first appearing on the Extended Play Stage in 2022, while pop princess-in-the-making Tate McRae is set for her first VMAs performance. With four nominations including Song of the Year and Best Pop Artist, TikTok edits are already trending with fans declaring, “She’s taking all 4.”
The nostalgia factor is high, too, with LL Cool J returning as the host. Last seen co-hosting in 2022 alongside Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow, this time he’s flying solo. Fans are anticipating punchlines, GIF-worthy one-liners, and at least one viral Twitter (sorry, X) moment that will dominate feeds.
When it comes to nominations, the competition is fierce. Lady Gaga leads the pack with 12 nods, including Artist of the Year, Video of the Year, and Song of the Year. She’s followed closely by heavyweights like Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar, ROSÉ, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, The Weeknd, and Sabrina Carpenter. It’s a battle so intense, fans are already predicting the afterparty drama.
Social media is in full countdown mode, with TikTok edits, Instagram fan art, and Twitter threads asking which performance will “own the night.” With so many genres, legends, and newcomers colliding, fans are calling this year’s VMAs lineup “the most stacked of the decade.”
From history-making award moments to performances that will dominate YouTube replays for years, MTV VMAs 2025 promises more than just music — it’s pop culture history unfolding in real time. Expect viral clips, outrageous fashion, unforgettable speeches, and performances that will fuel conversations long after the stage lights dim.
