Ariana Grande & Lady Gaga win big at 2025 MTV VMAs

Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga set the tone at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night with career-defining moments of their own.

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Grande scored two honors — video of the year and best pop video — and had the audience buzzing when she thanked her “therapists and gay people” during her acceptance speech.

Gaga, the night’s top nominee, kicked things off by winning artist of the year before later delivering on her promise to perform. She hit the stage at Madison Square Garden after her acceptance speech, which sent the audience into a frenzy at the UBS Arena where the VMAs were being held.

In her earlier remarks, Gaga stressed the deeper meaning of artistry.

“Being an artist is an attempt to connect the souls of people all over the world,” said Gaga, who performed “Abracadabra” and “The Dead Dance,” a single from the Netflix series “Wednesday.” “Being an artist is a discipline and craft into reaching someone’s heart where it grows its roots, reminding them to dream. Being an artist is a responsibility to smile, dance, cry.”

She dedicated the award to her fans and paid homage to her fiance, Michael Polansky, who co-executive produced her latest album, “Mayhem.”

“Creating with you has been a beautiful thing,” she said.

Tributes to Mariah Carey and Ozzy Osbourne