“Good ol’ rock n’ roll in the name of the king, man.” And there began the tone for an evening that was equal parts glam and grit, and all-around pop spectacle at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards. Celebrated at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, this year’s show did not merely get the job done it overran with moments that are bound to be etched in pop culture history.
From emotional tributes to the deceased Ozzy Osbourne to red carpet entrances that walked that VMAs-level flash and surprise polish tightrope, the night was a visual and emotional treat. Music legends took the stage with newcomers, and surprise collaborations had social media and the cameras going wild.
Below, a filtered look at the must-see performances, fashion moments, and A-list interactions that made the 2025 VMAs unforgettable.
1. Rock Royalty Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne
The evening’s most poignant moment came when Yungblud, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, and Nuno Bettencourt delivered a scorching tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne, who passed in July at 76. Presented by Jack Osbourne and his children, the tribute kicked off with the family screaming Ozzy’s catchphrase, “Let’s go crazy!” before Yungblud emerged onto the stage shirtless and energetic to play “Crazy Train.”
The medley flowed into a haunting “Changes,” with Adam Wakeman on piano, and closed with Tyler and Perry joining Yungblud for “Mama, I’m Coming Home” under a glowing purple cross. The performance was more than nostalgia it was a reminder of Osbourne’s enduring influence on rock. As Yungblud roared, “Ozzy forever!” the arena erupted in cheers.
2. Ariana Grande’s Family Night Out
Ariana Grande kept it in the family for the VMAs, arriving with Hale Grande, Edward Butera, Joan Grande, and Frankie Grande. The group’s arrival on the carpet gave a cozy, down-to-earth feel to an otherwise high-octane night of performances and show-stopping fashion.
Later, Ariana was also spotted laughing with BLACKPINK’s Rosé and taking a photo with Lady Gaga, affirming her status as a chart topper and go-to industry collaborator. Her segue from brief familial moments to star encounters without interruption was a low-key highlight of the evening.
3. Sabrina Carpenter’s Double Spotlight
Sabrina Carpenter owned the evening more than once. On the red carpet, she was Madonna-inspired chic with a sleek, mature look still infusing her unmistakable pop vitality. Critics were praising it as a good decision after the controversy generated by her latest album cover.
On stage, she doubled over with a confident performance that married suave vocals with cheeky charm. A combination of style and stage presence turned her into one of the night’s most intriguing people.
4. Tate McRae’s Breezy Confidence
Tate McRae proved that less can, indeed, be more. Her naked, unpadded dress was a lesson in sleek sex appeal, complemented by the absolute barest minimum of styling that enabled her natural ease of movement and confidence to shine through. It was a complete contrast to the VMAs’ standard over-the-top fashion, and it worked.
Her dance reflected the same energy straight-forward, emotionally charged, and without unnecessary embellishment. It was proof that despite much spectacle in the world, there is still something about authenticity that grabs attention.
5. Katseye’s Girl Group Glam Coordination
Popping in their VMAs debut, KATSEYE Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, Manon Bannerman, Daniela Avanzini, and Yoonchae Jeong stepped out on the carpet wearing synchronized Dolce & Gabbana-inspired black ensembles with rose and silver decorations. The look was a girl band rite of passage for any girl group: synchronized, photogenic, and dripping with pop star attitude.
MTV Push Performance of the Year-nominated and performing at the preshow, the catapulting of the group from the 2023 reality show Dream Academy to VMAs stardom is testament to their rapid ascension to fame. As Avanzini puts it, “It’s been a rollercoaster… we’re just focused on the music and staying true to who we are.”
6. Doja Cat’s Playful Camp
Doja Cat full-on camped out frolicking in a “Dolly Parton in 1990” sort of vibe six-inch stilettos, a bedazzled lipstick clutch, and a glittery, body-skimming frock. It was a timely reminder that VMAs are just as much about creating a persona as haute couture.
Her fashion-forward boldness on the red carpet made for an unpredictable night and solidified her reputation as one of pop’s most inventive style chameleons.
7. Star-Studded Award Honors
The night wasn’t all about performances it was also a celebration of icons. Mariah Carey received the 2025 Video Vanguard Award with a medley throughout her career, and Busta Rhymes was awarded the Rock the Bells Visionary Award. Ricky Martin was the first ever recipient of the Latin Icon Award.
These introductions cross generations, as each of the recipients brings his or her legacy to a platform that is known to reinvent itself.
8. Surprising Pairings and Backstage Rumor
From Busta Rhymes chatting with Tyla to Doja Cat sharing a moment with FKA twigs, the VMAs were full of blink-and-you-miss-it interactions that fans will replay for weeks. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter’s joint photo op felt like a passing of the pop torch, while Yungblud, Tyler, and Perry’s camaraderie backstage after the Ozzy tribute hinted at genuine musical kinship.
These spontaneity moments are one of the main reasons that the VMAs are so addictive those are the binding tissue between the behemoth performances and the lasting cultural resonance.
The 2025 VMAs MTV provided an ideal union of spectacle and reality. Through tearful tributes, red carpet style, and unplanned star chemistry, the night served as a reminder why this show remains a benchmark in culture. It wasn’t really about who won the awards or what they wore it was about what’s going to remain relevant in music history.
