The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards lit up New York's UBS Arena last night (Sept. 7) with a night full of history-making wins, emotional tributes, and performances that had fans making waves on social media. 

Airing for the first time on CBS, the show proved why the VMAs remain one of music's most talked-about nights, blending nostalgia with fresh talent and unforgettable pop culture moments.

Lady Gaga Pulls Double Duty

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Lady Gaga had the busiest schedule of the night, juggling the VMAs with her own Madison Square Garden concert just 18 miles away. The "Mayhem" star, who led the pack with nominations, picked up Artist of the Year and gave a sweet shoutout to fiancé Michael Polansky before dashing out less than 15 minutes into the show. 

"The way you move through your life is iconic and rare," she said during her acceptance speech. "It is entirely yours. I dedicated this award to the audience. You very much deserve a stage to shine on, and I give you all my applause. Thank you, Little Monsters, my fans, for always supporting me and always supporting the monster in me."

Fans at UBS Arena were disappointed by her early exit, but she still made her presence felt – a live feed from MSG aired later in the night. When Gaga snagged Best Collaboration, Ashlee Simpson quipped that she couldn't accept because she was "still on stage right now at her Madison Square Garden show."

Mariah Carey Finally Gets Her VMA

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In one of the most jaw-dropping reveals of the night, Mariah Carey received her very first VMA – the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Ariana Grande, who literally bowed down to her idol on stage, presented the honor as fans in the audience gasped that Carey had never won before. The legendary singer delivered a powerhouse medley that threw fans straight back to the '90s and ended with her now-viral quip, "What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?"

Sabrina Carpenter Makes a Statement

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Sabrina Carpenter brought the house down with a Medusa-like entrance from a maintenance hole, launching into her sultry new single "Tears." Her set transformed into a bold pro-trans rights moment, with dancers holding signs that read "protect trans rights" and "in trans we trust." Rain poured onto the stage during the finale, making the performance one of the night's most theatrical. Carpenter later scored Best Album for Short n' Sweet and was crowned Best Pop Artist, using her speech to thank fans for finding light in her music despite a world "full of criticism and discrimination and negativity."

Busta Rhymes Honors Ananda Lewis

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Busta Rhymes delivered a nostalgia-packed medley of his greatest hits before receiving the Rock the Bells Visionary Award. While celebrating his long-awaited recognition, the hip-hop icon also paid tribute to beloved MTV VJ Ananda Lewis, who passed away in June after a battle with cancer. Calling her "an incredible woman that loved us, loved the culture," Busta reflected on her influence with heartfelt emotion.

Ozzy Osbourne Tribute

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Rock royalty took the stage as Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Yungblud, and Nuno Bettencourt honored Ozzy Osbourne with an electrifying farewell performance. The medley of "Crazy Train" and "Mama, I'm Coming Home" had the crowd roaring while images of Osbourne flashed across the arena. Ariana Grande's stunned reaction shot quickly made the rounds online, cementing the tribute as one of the night's most emotional moments.

Ariana Grande Closes the Show

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Grande walked away with two of the night's biggest prizes — Best Pop and Video of the Year for "Brighter Days Ahead." Her speeches spotlighted the often-overlooked crew who brought her vision to life, thanking everyone from the director of photography to the key grip. And in true Ariana fashion, she ended with a viral one-liner: "Thank you to my therapists and gay people."

Tate McRae Steals the Spotlight

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While the big names dominated headlines, fans on social media couldn't stop talking about Tate McRae's breakthrough main stage moment. Hot off her first VMA nominations for Best Pop Artist and Song of the Year for "Sports Car," the Canadian singer unleashed a powerhouse performance of "Revolving Door" and "Sports Car" that featured intricate choreography in black sand. Fans declared it one of the most iconic dance breaks in VMA history, calling McRae the "ultimate pop star" and predicting her set will be remembered for decades.

Alex Warren's Emotional Performance 

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Another rising star, Alex Warren, delivered a moving performance of "Ordinary" and "Eternity" backed by a band of drummers, sealing his Best New Artist win. The Hype House alum turned singer-songwriter earned praise for his emotional delivery, showing he's here to stay as one of pop's most promising voices.

Noticeable Absences

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Despite the star-studded lineup, fans were quick to point out the A-listers who didn't attend. Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, SZA, Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, Charli XCX, and Olivia Rodrigo were all no-shows, leaving some questioning why so many heavy hitters skipped one of music's biggest nights.

Between historic wins, bold statements, and unforgettable performances, the 2025 VMAs reminded fans why the show is still a cultural phenomenon. From Carey's long-overdue recognition to Tate McRae's breakout moment, it was a night that honored both icons and rising stars – giving fans plenty to talk about online for weeks to come.