Ariana Grande stole the spotlight at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, taking home the coveted Video of the Year trophy for “Brighter Days Ahead”. The track also secured Best Pop Song, cementing her dominance on a night filled with big wins and star-studded performances.
Overwhelmed with emotion as she accepted the award, the 32-year-old superstar dedicated her victory to her loyal fan base. “Thank you for growing with me and being so supportive of me as a human being,” she said, describing her fans as “fiercely loving and supportive.” Earlier in the evening, she sparked laughter and applause by thanking her “therapist and gay people” while picking up her first award of the night.
Lady Gaga also had a memorable evening, pausing her ongoing tour to collect the Artist of the Year title. The 39-year-old icon later returned to the stage alongside Bruno Mars, with the pair winning Best Collaboration for “Die with a Smile”.
K-pop star Rose, now building her solo career beyond Blackpink, walked away with Song of the Year for “APT”, co-written with Bruno Mars. Rising star Sabrina Carpenter claimed Best Album for “Short n’ Sweet”, further marking her as one of the industry’s brightest voices.
The show carried a nostalgic flair, with legendary performers like Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, and Ricky Martin thrilling fans, while contemporary acts such as Doja Cat and Tate McRae brought choreography inspired by the vibrant styles of the 1980s and 1990s.
One of the night’s surprises was Kendrick Lamar, who, despite entering with multiple nominations and coming off a Grammy-winning streak, left without a single award.
Unlike last year’s politically charged ceremony, which saw Taylor Swift urge fans to vote during her acceptance speech, this year’s VMAs deliberately kept politics off the stage, focusing entirely on music, artistry, and celebration.
