It’s almost time to watch our favorite artists grace the MTV Video Music Awards stage to accept or present a Moonman trophy for the best visuals of the year.
Hip-hop icon LL Cool J will host the 2025 MTV VMAs. Although he co-emceed with Jack Harlow and Nicki Minaj in 2022, this year marks his first solo hosting of the show.
Tune in on Sunday, September 7 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (on CBS, MTV, and Paramount+) to see who will take home “Video of the Year,” “Artist of the Year,” Song of the Year,” “Best New Artist,” and more categories including new additions “Best Pop Artist” and “Best Country.”
Mariah Carey will perform and accept the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
MTV VMAs performers
Alex Warren, Busta Rhymes, J Balvin ft. DJ Snake, Ricky Martin, Sabrina Carpenter, Conan Gray and more will perform.
Also, hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes will receive the MTV VMA Rock The Bells Visionary Award and the Award show will honor Ricky Martin with the Latin Icon Award.
Who is nominated?
Lady Gaga, who has had a big music year, also leads this year’s nominees with 12 VMA nominations. Following closely behind are Bruno Mars with 11 and Kendrick Lamar with 10. ROSÉ and Sabrina Carpenter are tied with eight nominations, Ariana Grande and The Weeknd have seven, and Billie Eilish has six. Other nominees include:
- Bad Bunny
- Doechii
- Ed Sheeran
- Jelly Roll
- Miley Cyrus
- Tate McRae
- Beyoncé
- Taylor Swift
- Justin Bieber
- And more
For some artists mentioned (ROSÉ), this is their first time being nominated. So, if they win, they’ll get to take home their first VMA Moonman trophy. In addition, other first-time nominees include Leon Thomas, whose viral song “Mutt” is still taking over the charts, Brent Faiyaz, Mac Miller, Cody Johnson, Freddie Gibbs, Jordan Adetunji, PARTYNEXTDOOR, and more.
Mariah Carey will receive the Video Vanguard Award and perform
Mariah Carey is this year’s recipient.
The Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award is given to recording artists and music video directors with massive contributions and profound impact on music videos and popular culture.
Jackson won the award in 1988, becoming the first African American artist to receive the honor, and it was renamed after him in 1991. Janet Jackson remains the youngest artist to get the award in 1990 (she was 24 years old).
LL Cool J, this year’s host, was also honored with the award in 1997, becoming the first hip-hop artist to receive it.
Other artists include Beyoncé, Rihanna, Madonna, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez, Missy Elliott, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, and more.
Photo credit: Peter Yang/Ethan James Green/ Paramount Press Express
