The MTV Video Music Awards lit up New York’s UBS Arena on Sunday night, with Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, and Sabrina Carpenter emerging as the evening’s top winners in a star-packed celebration of music and performance.
The show, hosted by LL Cool J, featured dazzling appearances from Mariah Carey, Doechii, Coldplay, Shakira, Tyla, Bruno Mars, Charli XCX, The Weeknd, Miley Cyrus, and Tate McRae, alongside show-stopping performances from Post Malone, Alex Warren, Conan Gray, and a powerful tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne led by YUNGBLUD, Nuno Bettencourt, and Aerosmith legends Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.
Grande Wins Video of the Year
Pop powerhouse Ariana Grande claimed two major honors, including the night’s top prize, Video of the Year for Brighter Days Ahead, as well as Best Pop.
“Art has been a safe space for me since I was a kid. I’m so grateful I get to do this,” Grande said as she accepted her Moon Person trophy.
Lady Gaga Dominates With Four Awards
With a leading 12 nominations, Lady Gaga walked away with four wins, including Best Direction, Best Art Direction for Abracadabra, Best Collaboration (Die With a Smile with Bruno Mars), and the coveted Artist of the Year, triumphing over heavyweights Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, and Morgan Wallen.
“I cannot begin to tell you what this means to be rewarded for something that is already so rewarding,” Gaga reflected.
Her victory notably prevented Swift and Beyoncé—both tied at 30 career Moon Person trophies—from breaking the record as the most-awarded VMA artist of all time.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Sweet Triumph
Rising star Sabrina Carpenter also had a breakthrough night, scoring three awards, including Best Album for Short n’ Sweet and Best Pop Artist, where she triumphed over Grande, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Charli XCX, Lorde, and Tate McRae.
“I really don’t take for granted when you guys take the time out of your lives to listen to an album,” Carpenter told fans. “I’m just the luckiest girl in the world.”
Other Highlights
- Mariah Carey received the prestigious Video Vanguard Award for her legendary contributions to music.
- BLACKPINK’s Rosé won Song of the Year for Apt., her electrifying collaboration with Bruno Mars.
