Lady Gaga Tops 2025 MTV VMA Nominations; Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar Close Behind
Pop icon Lady Gaga has surged to the top of the 2025 MTV Video Music Award nominations, leading with 12 nods and ending Taylor Swift’s two-year streak at the top.
The “Mayhem” singer earned nominations across a wide range of categories including best collaboration, pop, direction, art direction, cinematography, editing, choreography, visual effects, as well as song, video, album, and artist of the year.
Following closely behind is Bruno Mars with 11 nominations, while Kendrick Lamar secured 10. Sabrina Carpenter and first-time nominee ROSÉ of Blackpink each garnered eight nominations. Ariana Grande and The Weeknd followed with seven nods apiece, while Billie Eilish earned six and Charli XCX five.
The artist of the year category features a competitive lineup: Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Morgan Wallen, and The Weeknd. Beyoncé and Swift are both notable contenders as they are currently tied for the most career VMAs, with 30 each. A win in this category could make one of them the most-awarded artist in VMA history.
Other notable nominees include Bad Bunny, Doechii, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Miley Cyrus, and Tate McRae, each receiving four nominations.
The coveted Video of the Year award will see Gaga and Mars’ “Die With A Smile” compete with Ariana Grande’s “Brighter Days Ahead,” Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” ROSÉ and Mars’ “APT.,” Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild,” and The Weeknd and Playboi Carti’s “Timeless.”
This year’s VMAs will be held on Sunday, September 7, and broadcast live from UBS Arena outside New York City at 8 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. Pacific) on CBS. The event will also simulcast on MTV and be available to stream via Paramount+. A one-hour live preshow will air on Paramount Media Networks.
CBS, already home to award shows such as the Tony Awards and American Music Awards, has broadcast the Grammys since 1973. However, the Grammys are set to move to ABC in 2027.
The 2025 edition of the VMAs features 33 first-time nominees, including Alex Warren, Blake Shelton, Brent Faiyaz, Gigi Perez, KATSEYE, and Lainey Wilson. Late rapper Mac Miller has also earned his first VMA nomination posthumously.
Two new categories have been introduced this year: Best Country and Best Pop Artist.
Online fan voting opened Tuesday across 19 gender-neutral categories and will remain open until 6 p.m. Eastern on September 5. Voting for Best New Artist will continue throughout the live broadcast.