Will she vie with a smile? Lady Gaga is the frontrunner for MTV’s Video Music Awards, as the singer racked up a leading 12 nods in nominations announced Tuesday for the 2025 ceremony, set to air live on CBS Sept. 7.
Gaga’s dozen nominations are followed by 11 for Bruno Mars, 10 for Kendrick Lamar, eight apiece for Sabrina Carpenter and Rose, and seven each for Ariana Grande and the Weeknd. Billie Eilish landed six nods, and Charli XCX picked up five nominations. In a six-way tie with four nominations each are Bad Bunny, Doechii, Jelly Roll, Ed Sheeran, Tate McRae and Miley Cyrus. (Scroll down to see the full list of nominees.)
CBS will be hoping that a lot of that starpower will be up for performing on the telecast, since the the VMAs are premiering on the network in prime time for the first time this year, after years of the show being aired simultaneously on all of Viacom’s cable outlets.
Besides CBS, the VMAs will still be simulcast live on MTV and can be streamed by Paramount+ subscribers in the U.S. (Paramount+ Essential subscribers won’t be able to stream live but will have access to on-demand the day after the special.) The show will air live in all time zones on Sept. 7, starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 PT. It’s the second year in a row the telecast is being broadcast from New York’s UBS Arena.
Gaga’s nominations are split between “Die WIth a Smile,” her duet with Bruno Mars, which has noms spread across many of the top general categories, and her “Mayhem” album’s “Abracadabra,” which picked up noms in every single one of the technical categories. Gaga’s big haul of nominations marks the third time she has been the leading contender for the VMAs, after she previously led the pack by picking up 13 in 2010 and nine in 2020.
Among the new categories this year is best country — perhaps reflecting the fact that, now that the show is airing on CBS, it needs to spread its multi-genre net a bit wider, along with the border-crossing popularity of top country acts today. A best pop artist trophy has also been added to the mix — making room for seven more artists besides those seven already nominated in the artist of the year category, since there is no overlap between the nominees for the two categories.
Fan voting has been opened at vote.mtv.com in 19 gender-neutral categories. The voting window will stay open through Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. ET, with the exception of the best new artist category, which will remain active into the show itself.
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Although neither Taylor Swift nor Beyoncé had much action in the way of new music videos in the past year, those two perennial VMAs winners remain up for artist of the year, a category that is not tied to any specific video.
The announcement of the VMAs contenders notes that 33 nominees are included as first-timers, ranging from newcomers like Alex Warren, Role Model and Sombr to a few veterans who got in through the addition of the new categories, like Blake Shelton and Lainey Wilson. Blackpink member Rose’s eight nominations represent her first as a solo artist; likewise for Jennie, Jimin, Jisoo and Damiano David getting their first nods as solo artists outside their groups. Other first-time VMAs nominees include Katseye, Mac Miller, Brent Faiyaz, Gigi Perez, the Marías, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Bailey Zimmerman, Cody Johnson, Dasha, Ella Langley, Freddie Gibbs, Jordan Adetunji, Lay Bankz, Livingston, Mark Ambor, Megan Moroney, Moliy, Partynextdoor, Sasha Alex Sloan, Silent Addy, Skillibeng and Zach Hood.
Gunpowder & Sky CEO Van Toffler, a figure in MTV’s history from way back, is producing the show. Bruce Gillmer, Barb Bialkowski and Den of Thieves cofounder Jesse Ignjatovic (Den of Thieves) are the show’s executive producers, with Alicia Portugal as co-executive producer. Jackie Barba is executive In charge of production, Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent and Lisa Lauricella is executive In charge of music talent.
2025 VMAs NOMINEES:
Nominees in each category are listed in alphabetical order by first name.
(**) = New Category
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Agead” – 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
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
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 – “No Chill” – 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” – Roxie Records/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
From Variety US