Post Malone Shines as Lady Gaga, Rosé Win Big at 2025 VMAs

On Sunday, September 7, the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards took place at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. LL Cool J served as host for the show, which was broadcast live on MTV, CBS, and Paramount+. Even though many musicians made a name for themselves in different ways, and you are as likely to find a star who got their start on social media, the show still managed to draw many familiar names from the world of music.

It was a night where all types of performers were honored, some established icons, and some icons of the future, with some new categories being introduced. The show was chock-full of music history and memorable moments on stage, from record-setting wins to heartfelt performances, like Sebastian Maniscalco filming for Netflix, bringing his own brand of touch of comedy to bring back the energy of live audiences comically displaying their love.

Major Wins and Historic Firsts

Lady Gaga, who sought to make a mark with the most nominations of the night at 12, proved she still had coveted status with 4 awards total, one of which was for Artist of the Year and her collaboration with Bruno Mars for Best Collaboration "Die With a Smile". Her four awards added up and once again she left herself as the most awarded artist for the night and among the most mentioned award nominees and winners tonight. When we see an artist that really shifts the culture, Lady Gaga is among artists of a unique and rare period of pop music history.

Ariana Grande was another headlining artist from the night who took home Video of the Year for her single, "Brighter Days Ahead" with an incredible emotional statement of thanks to her fans, family, therapist, and especially to the LGBTQ community before transitioning to her other two wins, including Best Pop Video, but ultimately finishing with only 3 awards on the night, which is nothing to be ashamed of when she among us as living legends of music today.

One of the biggest milestones in music came from BLACKPINK's Rosé as the 1st K-Pop soloist to win the Song of the Year title. She received this award for her collaboration “Apt” with Bruno Mars. This was a landmark for K-Pop representation on arguably the world's most-watched music stage.

Other awarded creators showcased the diversity of music today. Alex Warren won the award for Best New Artist, Tate McRae picked up Song of the Summer for her song “Just Keep Watching”, and Megan Moroney became the first winner of the newly minted Best Country award for the song “Am I Okay?” Other genre-based creativity winners included Doechii (Hip-Hop), Shakira (Latin), Tyla (Afrobeats), Coldplay (Rock), and Lisa with Doja Cat and Raye (K-Pop).

The show honored some of the genres major creators in addition to being inspirational. Mariah Carey received the Video Vanguard Award and performed a career-spanning medley to a standing ovation. Busta Rhymes received the Rock the Bells Visionary Award and Ricky Martin received the Latin Icon Award in honor of his influence on Latin music globally.

Post Malone’s Show-Stealing Performance

Post Malone was one of the hottest topics of the night at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards being the first time Malone set foot back on the VMA stage since 2018. The rapper, clad in a Dallas Cowboys jersey and oversized jeans, performed his joint track “Losers” with country-rap star Jelly Roll.

The performance was raw, and energetic, putting the crowd on its feet. The chemistry between both artists was tremendous, as Post Malone gave his unique spin of rap and rock alongside Jelly Roll’s southern roots. It was a brief performance that revealed what is unfolding into a new sonic direction for Malone while perfectly illustrating this year’s theme of genre-bending performances at the VMA’s.

Malone is also in the competition this year for Best Collaboration for his song “Pour Me a Drink” with Blake Shelton. Malone’s return to the VMA stage was called out by many as one of the shining positive elements of the night.

Post Malone and Jelly Roll??? Bathroom break #VMAs pic.twitter.com/O4w2ItjWmB

— j🚬 (@jul13an) September 8, 2025

Wrapping Up the VMAs 2025

The 2025 MTV VMAs were a healthy blend of milestones, performances, and tributes. Lady Gaga’s wins solidified her place in the pop canon, Ariana Grande and Rosé celebrated career-defining moments, and honoring legends like Mariah Carey and Ricky Martin gave spectators a sense of the history of music, while new voices such as Alex Warren and Megan Moroney gave spectators a glimpse into the future.

However, Post Malone's powerful performance with Jelly Roll, will be what many remember, as it captured the theme of night, where music’s past, present, and future all collided on one stage.