The 2025 MTV VMA nominations are out, with Lady Gaga leading the pack. Fans are celebrating her dominance but calling out surprising snubs. Full list below.
The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards nominations are officially here, and the list is already sparking excitement and controversy among fans.
Announced Tuesday (Aug. 5) by CBS and MTV, the nominations highlight the most significant musical moments and cultural movers of the past year, as the VMAs return live to New York’s UBS Arena on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 8 PM ET/PT. The ceremony will air coast-to-coast on CBS, simulcast on MTV, and stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.
Leading the pack is none other than Lady Gaga, who scored an impressive 12 nominations, including Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Best Album. This marks the third time Gaga has led VMA nominations – previously in 2010 (13 nods) and 2020 (tied with 9). The Little Monsters are ecstatic, flooding social media with celebratory posts and predictions. “This is Mother Monster’s year again. We are so back,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter), echoing the sentiments of many others.
But while Gaga’s domination is being celebrated, other fan bases are feeling left out.
Sabrina Carpenter, despite her breakout year with chart-toppers like “Espresso” and viral success on social media and tour, only scored eight nominations. Many fans feel that’s not enough.
Taylor Swift, who’s been on a record-breaking run with her Eras Tour, The Tortured Poets Department, and multiple re-recordings, was expected to be a top contender. Instead, she earned a handful of nominations, including Artist of the Year, but was largely absent from the main categories. Swifties were quick to call it a “snub,” especially since she swept the VMAs in 2023.
Miley Cyrus is also at the center of fan frustration. Her smash hit “Flowers” won Record of the Year at the 2024 Grammys, yet she only received four VMA nods.
One of the most unexpected moments came when Bruno Mars appeared as the second-most-nominated artist this year with 11 nods. While fans respect Mars’ contributions, many were confused by his resurgence on the nominations list, as he hasn’t released a new solo album in over a year.
Newly introduced categories – Best Country and Best Pop Artist are making waves, reflecting a more inclusive approach by MTV. First-time nominees like ROSÉ (8 nods), Gigi Perez, and Alex Warren are also getting their moment in the spotlight. The race for the most VMA wins in history is also heating up. Both Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, who are nominated for Artist of the Year, are neck-and-neck as they continue to break records in their careers.
Fans can vote in 19 gender-neutral categories at vote.mtv.com through Sept. 5 at 6 PM ET, with voting for Best New Artist remaining open into the live show.
Extra votes can be cast via Instagram by commenting under @VMAs pinned posts using artist-specific hashtags until August 8.
Power Hour voting, presented by BACARDÍ® Rum, also allows fans to double their daily votes from 1-2 PM ET daily through Sept. 4.
As always, the VMAs promise surprises. Performers, presenters, honorees, and social-driven categories will be revealed in the coming weeks. If the nominations are any indication, this year’s show is going to be one to watch – filled with fan-favorite artists, unexpected twists, and, of course, unforgettable fashion moments.
2025 “VMAs” NOMINEES:
Nominees in each category are listed in alphabetical order by first name.
(**) = New Category
VIDEO OF THE YEAR, presented by Burger King®
Ariana Grande - “brighter days ahead” - Republic Records
Billie Eilish - “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” - Darkroom/Interscope Records
Kendrick Lamar - “Not Like Us” - pgLang/Interscope Records
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars - “Die With A Smile” - Interscope Records
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars - “APT.” - Atlantic Records
Sabrina Carpenter - “Manchild” - Island
The Weeknd, Playboi Carti - “Timeless” - XO/Republic Records
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Bad Bunny - Rimas Entertainment
Beyoncé - Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records
Kendrick Lamar - pgLang/Interscope Records
Lady Gaga - Interscope Records
Morgan Wallen - Big Loud Records/Mercury Records
Taylor Swift - Republic Records
The Weeknd - XO/Republic Records
SONG OF THE YEAR
Alex Warren - “Ordinary” - Atlantic Records
Billie Eilish - “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” - Darkroom/Interscope Records
Doechii - “Anxiety” - Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records
Ed Sheeran - “Sapphire” - Gingerbread Man Records/Atlantic Records
Gracie Abrams - “I Love You, I'm Sorry” - Interscope Records
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars - “Die With A Smile” - Interscope Records
Lorde - “What Was That” - Republic Records
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars - “APT.” - Atlantic Records
Tate McRae - “Sports Car” - RCA Records
The Weeknd, Playboi Carti - “Timeless” - XO/Republic Records
BEST NEW ARTIST
Alex Warren - Atlantic Records
Ella Langley - SAWGOD/Columbia Records
Gigi Perez - Island
Lola Young - Island
sombr - SMB Music/Warner Records
The Marías - Nice Life/Atlantic Records
BEST POP ARTIST **
Ariana Grande - Republic Records
Charli xcx - Atlantic Records
Justin Bieber - Def Jam Recordings
Lorde - Republic Records
Miley Cyrus - Columbia Records
Sabrina Carpenter - Island
Tate McRae - RCA Records
MTV PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR, presented by BACARDÍ® Rum
Aug 2024 - Shaboozey - “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” - American Dogwood/EMPIRE
Sept 2024 - Ayra Starr - “Last Heartbreak Song” - Mavin Records/Republic Records
Oct 2024 - Mark Ambor - “Belong Together” - Hundred Days Records/Virgin Music
Nov 2024 - Lay Bankz - “Graveyard” - Artist Partner Group Inc.
Dec 2024 - Dasha - “Bye Bye Bye” - Warner Records
Jan 2025 - KATSEYE - “Touch” - HYBE/Geffen Records
Feb 2025 - Jordan Adetunji - “KEHLANI” - 300 Entertainment
Mar 2025 - Leon Thomas - “YES IT IS” - EZMNY Records/Motown Records
Apr 2025 - Livingston - “Shadow” - Republic Records
May 2025 - Damiano David - “Next Summer” - Sony Italy/Arista Records
June 2025 - Gigi Perez - “Sailor Song” - Island
July 2025 - ROLE MODEL - “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out” - Interscope Records
BEST COLLABORATION, presented by Under Armour
Bailey Zimmerman with Luke Combs - “Backup Plan (Stagecoach Official Music Video)” - Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville
Kendrick Lamar & SZA - “luther” - pgLang/Interscope Records
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars - “Die With A Smile” - Interscope Records
Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton - “Pour Me A Drink” - Mercury Records
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars - “APT.” - Atlantic Records
Selena Gomez, benny blanco - “Sunset Blvd” - SMG Music/Friends Keep Secrets/Interscope Records
BEST POP
Alex Warren - “Ordinary” - Atlantic Records
Ariana Grande - “brighter days ahead” - Republic Record
Ed Sheeran - “Sapphire” - Gingerbread Man Records/Atlantic Records
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars - “Die With A Smile” - Interscope Records
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars - “APT.” - Atlantic Records
Sabrina Carpenter - “Manchild” - Island
BEST HIP-HOP
Doechii - “Anxiety” - Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records
Drake - “NOKIA” - OVO/Santa Anna/Republic
Eminem ft. Jelly Roll - “Somebody Save Me” - Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records
GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red - “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME” - CMG/Interscope Records
Kendrick Lamar - “Not Like Us” - pgLang/Interscope Records
LL COOL J ft. Eminem - “Murdergram Deux” - Def Jam Recordings
Travis Scott - “4X4” - Cactus Jack/Epic Records
BEST R&B
Chris Brown - “Residuals” - Chris Brown Entertainment/RCA Records
Leon Thomas & Freddie Gibbs - “MUTT (REMIX)” - EZMNY Records/Motown Records
Mariah Carey - “Type Dangerous” - gamma.
PARTYNEXTDOOR - “N o C h i l l” - OVO Sound
Summer Walker - “Heart Of A Woman” - LVRN/Interscope Records
SZA - “Drive” - Top Dawg Entertainment/RCA Records
The Weeknd, Playboi Carti - “Timeless” - XO/Republic Records
BEST ALTERNATIVE
Gigi Perez - “Sailor Song” - Island
Imagine Dragons - “Wake Up” - KIDinaKorner/Interscope Records
Lola Young - “Messy” - Island
mgk & Jelly Roll - “Lonely Road” - EST 19XX/Interscope Records
sombr - “back to friends” - SMB Music/Warner Records
The Marías - “Back To Me” - Nice Life/Atlantic Records
BEST ROCK
Coldplay - “ALL MY LOVE” - Atlantic Records
Evanescence - “Afterlife (From the Netflix Series "Devil May Cry")” - Netflix Music
Green Day - “One Eyed Bastard” - Reprise Records/Warner Records
Lenny Kravitz - “Honey” - ℗© 2024 Roxie Records Inc. under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management GmbH
Linkin Park - “The Emptiness Machine” - Warner Records
twenty one pilots - “The Contract” - Fueled By Ramen
BEST LATIN
Bad Bunny - “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” - Rimas Entertainment
J Balvin - “Rio” - Capitol Records
KAROL G - “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” - Bichota Records/Interscope Records
Peso Pluma - “LA PATRULLA” - Double P Records
Rauw Alejandro & Romeo Santos - “Khé?” - Sony Music US Latin
Shakira - “Soltera“ - Sony Music US Latin
BEST K-POP
aespa - “Whiplash” - SM Entertainment/Virgin Music Group
JENNIE - “like JENNIE” - OA Entertainment/Columbia Records
Jimin - “Who” - BIGHIT MUSIC
JISOO - “earthquake” - Warner Records
LISA ft. Doja Cat & RAYE - “Born Again” - Lloud Co./RCA Records
Stray Kids - “Chk Chk Boom” - JYP/IMPERIAL/Republic
ROSÉ - “toxic till the end” - Atlantic Records
BEST AFROBEATS
Asake & Travis Scott - “Active” - YBNL Nation/EMPIRE
Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott - “TaTaTa” - Spaceship/Bad Habit/Atlantic Records
MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea - “Shake It To The Max (FLY) (Remix)” - gamma.
Rema - “Baby (Is It A Crime)” - Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / Interscope Records
Tems ft. Asake - “Get It Right” - RCA Records/Since '93
Tyla - “PUSH 2 START” - FAX Records/Epic Records
Wizkid ft. Brent Faiyaz - “Piece Of My Heart” - Starboy/RCA Records
BEST COUNTRY **
Chris Stapleton - “Think I'm In Love With You” - Mercury Nashville
Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood - “I’m Gonna Love You” - CoJo Music / Warner Music Nashville
Jelly Roll - “Liar” - BBR Music Group/BMG/Republic Records
Lainey Wilson - “4x4xU” - Broken Bow Records
Megan Moroney - “Am I Okay?” - Columbia Records
Morgan Wallen - “Smile” - Big Loud Records/Mercury Records
BEST ALBUM
Bad Bunny - DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS - Rimas Entertainment
Kendrick Lamar - GNX - pgLang/Interscope Records
Lady Gaga - Mayhem - Interscope Records
Morgan Wallen - I'm The Problem - Big Loud Records/Mercury Records
Sabrina Carpenter - Short n' Sweet - Island
The Weeknd - Hurry Up Tomorrow - XO/Republic Records
BEST LONG FORM VIDEO
Ariana Grande - “brighter days ahead” - Republic Records
Bad Bunny - “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (Short Film)” - Rimas Entertainment
Damiano David - “FUNNY little STORIES” - Sony Italy/Arista Records
Mac Miller - “Balloonerism” - Warner Records
Miley Cyrus - “Something Beautiful” - Columbia Records
The Weeknd - “Hurry Up Tomorrow” - XO/Republic Records
VIDEO FOR GOOD
Burna Boy - “Higher” - Spaceship/Bad Habit/Atlantic Records
Charli xcx - “Guess featuring Billie Eilish" - Atlantic Records
Doechii - “Anxiety” - Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records
Eminem ft. Jelly Roll - “Somebody Save Me” - Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records
Selena Gomez, benny blanco - “Younger And Hotter Than Me” - SMG Music/Friends Keep Secrets/Interscope Records
Zach Hood ft. Sasha Alex Sloan - “Sleepwalking” - Arista Records
BEST DIRECTION
Ariana Grande - “brighter days ahead” - Republic Records
Charli xcx - “Guess featuring Billie Eilish" - Atlantic Records
Kendrick Lamar - “Not Like Us” - pgLang/Interscope Records
Lady Gaga - “Abracadabra” - Interscope Records
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars - “APT.” - Atlantic Records
Sabrina Carpenter - “Manchild” - Island
BEST ART DIRECTION
Charli xcx - “Guess featuring Billie Eilish" - Atlantic Records
Kendrick Lamar - “Not Like Us” - pgLang/Interscope Records
Lady Gaga - “Abracadabra” - Interscope Records
Lorde - “Man Of The Year” - Republic Records
Miley Cyrus - “End of the World” - Columbia Records
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars - “APT.” - Atlantic Records
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Ariana Grande - “brighter days ahead” - Republic Records
Ed Sheeran - “Sapphire” - Gingerbread Man Records/Atlantic Records
Kendrick Lamar - “Not Like Us” - pgLang/Interscope Records
Lady Gaga - “Abracadabra” - Interscope Records
Miley Cyrus - “Easy Lover” - Columbia Records
Sabrina Carpenter - “Manchild” - Island
BEST EDITING
Charli xcx - “Guess featuring Billie Eilish" - Atlantic Records
Ed Sheeran - “Sapphire” - Gingerbread Man Records/Atlantic Records
Kendrick Lamar - “Not Like Us” - pgLang/Interscope Records
Lady Gaga - “Abracadabra” - Interscope Records
Sabrina Carpenter - “Manchild” - Island
Tate McRae - “Just Keep Watching (From F1® The Movie)” - Atlantic Records
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Doechii - “Anxiety” - Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records
FKA twigs - “Eusexua” - Atlantic Records
Kendrick Lamar - “Not Like Us” - pgLang/Interscope Records
Lady Gaga - “Abracadabra” - Interscope Records
Tyla - “PUSH 2 START” - FAX Records/Epic Records
Zara Larsson - “Pretty Ugly” - Epic Records
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Ariana Grande - “brighter days ahead” - Republic Records
Lady Gaga - “Abracadabra” - Interscope Records
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars - “APT.” - Atlantic Records
Sabrina Carpenter - “Manchild” - Island
Tate McRae - “Just Keep Watching (From F1® The Movie) “ - Atlantic Records
The Weeknd - “Hurry Up Tomorrow” - XO/Republic Records
The 2025 MTV VMAs air live on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 8 PM ET/PT on CBS and MTV.
Photo Credit: @vmas on Instagram.
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