MTV has officially revealed the highly anticipated nominees for the 2025 Video Music Awards—an event that promises to honor the most impactful music videos and artists of the past year. The nominations reflect a stellar blend of genre-crossing talent, groundbreaking artistry, and global star power.
Lady Gaga Reigns Supreme with 12 Nods
Topping the nominations list is none other than Lady Gaga, who earned a remarkable 12 nominations across both headline and technical categories. Her recognition spans prestigious categories like Artist of the Year, Video of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year, alongside honors for Visual Effects and Cinematography.
Bruno Mars and Kendrick Lamar Trail Closely
Hot on her heels is Bruno Mars with 11 nominations, including some for collaborative works like “Die with a Smile” with Gaga and “APT.” with ROSÉ. Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar secured 10 nominations, reflecting his creative dominance with works such as “Not Like Us” and “luther.”
Standouts & Trailblazers Across the Board
The competition is nothing short of electric. ROSÉ (of BLACKPINK) and Sabrina Carpenter each earned eight nominations, while Ariana Grande and The Weeknd followed with seven apiece. Meanwhile, Billie Eilish earned six nominations; Charli XCX earned five. Artists like Bad Bunny, Doechii, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Miley Cyrus, and Tate McRae each received four nods.
Pioneering First-Time Nominees & New Categories
The VMAs this year showcase inclusive expansion, introducing two new fan-voted categories: Best Pop Artist and Best Country. Fresh faces such as Alex Warren, Blake Shelton, Gigi Perez, Lainey Wilson, and the late Mac Miller — honored posthumously — made the nominee list for the first time.
Key Contenders Across Major Categories
Video of the Year contenders include:
– Ariana Grande — “brighter days ahead”
– Billie Eilish — “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”
– Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us”
– Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars — “Die with a Smile”
– ROSÉ & Bruno Mars — “APT.”
– Sabrina Carpenter — “Manchild”
– The Weeknd & Playboi Carti — “Timeless”
Artist of the Year sees a crowded field with:
Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd all vying for the top honor. Notably, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, each currently tied with 30 VMA wins, have the chance to surge ahead this year.
Fans are poised to make their voices heard, as voting is open for 19 categories via vote.mtv.com until 6 p.m. ET on September 5—except for Best New Artist, which remains open through the live show.
A Global Stage & Expanded Accessibility
This year’s awards—set for Sunday, September 7, 2025, from UBS Arena in Long Island—mark a milestone as the ceremony will for the first time simulcast on MTV and CBS, while also streaming on Paramount+. The show will also feature an hour-long preshow on Paramount Media Networks.
Controversies & Cultural Moments
Tensions have flared among the K-pop fan community, with BTS members Jin and J‑Hope notably excluded from nominations despite commercial success. In contrast, all four BLACKPINK members—Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and ROSÉ—received nominations, fueling debate over fairness and transparency in the selection criteria.
Award Breakdown: Genres & Specials
Beyond the marquee categories, the nominations span a wide array of genres and specialties:
Song of the Year features entries such as Doechii’s “Anxiety,” Ed Sheeran’s “Sapphire,” Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars’ “Die with a Smile,” ROSÉ & Bruno Mars’ “APT.,” Tate McRae’s “Sports Car,” and more.
Genre-based nominations include:
– Pop, Hip-Hop, R&B, Alternative, Rock, Latin, Afrobeats, K-pop, Country, and a Best Long Form Video category. Artists from diverse backgrounds are represented, such as Bad Bunny (“Baile Inolvidable”), Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, STRAY KIDS, aespa, Tyla, and more.
Technical and creative categories—like Best Direction, Art Direction, Cinematography, Editing, Choreography, and Visual Effects—acknowledge behind-the-camera talent, with multiple nominations for artists like Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, Ariana Grande, Charli XCX, ROSÉ & Bruno Mars, Sabrina Carpenter, and others.
There’s also recognition for Push Performers, honoring breakout acts each month—from Shaboozey and Ayra Starr to ROLE MODEL and Gigi Perez.
In summary: The 2025 MTV VMAs are shaping up to be an electrifying celebration of musical innovation, cultural diversity, and industry milestones. With Lady Gaga leading the nomination pack, Bruno Mars and Kendrick Lamar close behind, and an inclusive slate that spans genres and global artists, this year’s awards have something for every fan—and plenty to talk about.
