The excitement for the VMAs 2025 is reaching new heights as MTV unveiled this year’s nominations, headlined by Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Kendrick Lamar—three performers who have set the industry standard for musical excellence and innovation. These nominations, announced on August 5, signal not just a celebration of outstanding videos and performances, but also close races in several powerhouse categories.
Lady Gaga leads the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards nominations with an incredible 12 nods, officially ending Taylor Swift’s two-year streak atop the nominee chart. Her visual extravaganzas for “Abracadabra” and the Bruno Mars collaboration “Die With a Smile” earned her acclaim in categories spanning Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Best Album, and many more. It’s yet another milestone for Gaga, already the winner of 18 VMAs and now topping the nominations list for the third time in her career—following similar feats in 2010 and 2020.
Bruno Mars is hot on her heels, securing 11 nominations, including those for his team-up with Gaga and “APT.,” a standout duet with global star Rosé. Kendrick Lamar, who’s no stranger to VMA glory, rounds out the double-digit nominees with 10. All three demonstrate not just staying power but also evolution in style and production, as seen in their music and visuals this past year.
Top Categories & Major Contenders
The buzz for “Video of the Year” is especially strong. This year’s contenders are:
- Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile”
- Bruno Mars featuring Rosé – “APT.”
- Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
- Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead”
- Billie Eilish – “Birds of a Feather”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
- The Weeknd featuring Playboi Carti – “Timeless”
In the Artist of the Year category, Lady Gaga is vying for the crown alongside heavyweights like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, Morgan Wallen, and The Weeknd. Notably, Beyoncé and Swift are tied for the most VMAs in history, each with 30 wins. This year, since both are only nominated in this single category, a win for either would make her the all-time leader in VMA trophies.
Rising Stars & Firsts
The 2025 awards also recognize rising and global stars, with Sabrina Carpenter and Blackpink’s Rosé each earning eight nominations. Ariana Grande and The Weeknd have seven apiece, with Billie Eilish at six and Charli XCX at five. Country, hip-hop, and pop newcomers like Jelly Roll, Ed Sheeran, Tate McRae, and Mac Miller are among the diverse nominees this year.
For the first time, the VMAs have introduced categories such as Best Pop Artist and Best Country Video, reflecting the evolving landscape and expanding reach of popular music.
VMAs 2025: Key Details at a Glance
How to Watch and Vote
Mark your calendars for September 7 at 8 p.m. ET. The VMAs 2025 ceremony broadcasts live from New York’s UBS Arena on CBS and MTV, and streams on Paramount+. Fans play a pivotal role in shaping the night’s results—voting is now open online across all major categories and will remain available until September 5.
What to Expect
Build-up for the VMAs 2025 promises nothing short of spectacular. Between chart-topping veterans and fresh faces racking up nominations, expect memorable moments both on the red carpet and during the show itself. With Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Kendrick Lamar setting the pace, this year’s celebration guarantees to captivate music lovers everywhere.
Will long-time legends add to their record-breaking tallies, or will rising stars snatch the spotlight? Sound off in the comments—who are you rooting for at the VMAs 2025?