Lady Gaga Leads the Pack
Lady Gaga has emerged as the frontrunner for the upcoming MTV Video Music Awards, securing a stunning 12 nominations for the 2025 event, which is set to be broadcast live on CBS on September 7.
Following Gaga are Bruno Mars with 11 nominations and Kendrick Lamar with 10. Both Sabrina Carpenter and Rosé have earned eight nominations each, while Ariana Grande and The Weeknd follow closely with seven nominations. Billie Eilish has received six nods, with Charli XCX garnering five. Six artists, including Bad Bunny and Ed Sheeran, are tied with four nominations each. For the complete list of nominees, scroll down.
Telecast Details and Viewing Options
This year’s VMAs mark a significant change as CBS will host the ceremony in prime time for the first time. The show will still be simulcast on MTV and available for streaming on Paramount+ (though Paramount+ Essential subscribers cannot watch live but can access the show on-demand the following day). The event will air at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT across all time zones from the UBS Arena in New York.
Gaga’s Notable Nominations
Most of Gaga’s nominations stem from her hit duet “Die With a Smile” featuring Bruno Mars, which is competing in various major categories. Additionally, her album “Mayhem” includes the track “Abracadabra,” which is nominated in all technical categories. This marks the third time Gaga has led VMA nominations, with previous years being 2010 and 2020.
New Categories and Fan Voting
This year introduces a new category for Best Country, reflecting the diverse music landscape and CBS’s strategic inclusion of various genres. A Best Pop Artist award has been added, expanding the field to include seven more artists alongside those nominated for Artist of the Year.
Fan voting is now open in 19 gender-neutral categories at vote.mtv.com and will remain active until September 5 at 6 p.m. ET, except for the Best New Artist category, which will stay open during the show.
Recognizing New Talent
Despite limited new video releases over the past year, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are still contenders for Artist of the Year, a category that does not rely on specific video nominations. This year also sees 33 first-time nominees, such as newcomers Alex Warren and Role Model, and veterans who have benefited from new category inclusions, including Blake Shelton and Lainey Wilson.
Among first-time nominees in solo categories are Blackpink’s Rosé and other group members who are receiving accolades for their individual work. Additional first-time nominees include Gigi Perez and Ella Langley, joining a diverse group of emerging artists.
Production and Executive Team
The 2025 VMAs will be produced by Van Toffler, a significant figure in MTV’s history. The executive production team includes Bruce Gillmer, Barb Bialkowski, and Jesse Ignjatovic, with Alicia Portugal serving as co-executive producer. Other key production leaders include Jackie Barba for production and Wendy Plaut for celebrity talent.
Complete Nominees List:
Video of the Year
- 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
- Bad Bunny
- Beyoncé
- Kendrick Lamar
- Lady Gaga
- Morgan Wallen
- Taylor Swift
- The Weeknd
Song of the Year
- Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
- Billie Eilish – “Birds of a Feather”
- Doechii – “Anxiety”
- Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire”
- Gracie Abrams – “I Love You, I’m Sorry”
- Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile”
- Lorde – “What Was That”
- ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.”
- Tate McRae – “Sports Car”
- The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless”
Best New Artist
- Alex Warren
- Ella Langley
- Gigi Perez
- Lola Young
- Sombr
- The Marías
