The 2025 MTV VMAs took place Sunday night, bringing with them a chance to lock in on the buzziest names in music right now—namely, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Rosé, Jelly Roll (…sure, why not?), and, of course, Mariah Carey.
But what were the standout moments of the night? We’re glad you asked. Here, a round-up of the five most memorable performances, speeches, and special appearances from the 2025 MTV VMAs.
Sabrina Carpenter’s timely tribute to trans rights
With Man’s Best Friend, Carpenter currently has the number-one album in the country. She made the most of her spotlight at the MTV VMAs on Sunday by performing her new song ‘Tears’ for the first time, surrounded by drag queens holding signs that read, among other things, “Dolls Dolls Dolls” and “In Trans We Trust.” As the Trump administration ramps up its needless attacks on trans people, it’s nice to see Carpenter speak up for an oft-maligned community—without whom pop music as we know it simply wouldn’t exist. Plus, that Britney homage didn’t hurt either!
Busta Rhymes’s tribute to Ananda Lewis
WOO-HAH! 🏆 @BustaRhymes is the first-ever @MTV #VMA Rock The Bells Visionary Award Recipient! pic.twitter.com/krWR6OQRHw
— Video Music Awards (@vmas) September 8, 2025
The death of legendary MTV VJ Ananda Lewis in June was thoughtfully noted onstage by Busta Rhymes, as he accepted the inaugural MTV Rock the Bells Visionary Award. “I want to thank, and I think we all need to acknowledge, the incredible woman that loved us very much when we came to MTV during the ’90s,” Rhymes said, “an incredible woman that loved me and she loved us. She loved the culture, she lifted us up. I love her very much. I miss her very much. The late, great, incredible, royal empress Ananda Lewis.” A lovely remembrance that was no less than what Lewis deserved.
The Hunting Wives getting its VMAs moment (for some reason)
Do I really understand why Netflix megahit The Hunting Wives’s titular, secretly Sapphic bad girls Margo (Malin Akerman) and Sophie (Brittany Snow) were on hand to introduce a performance from Alex Warren? No—but trust me, I am not complaining. Nor do I have any complaints about the Hunting Wives Season 2 rumors that Akerman and Snow coyly addressed on the red carpet. Please, God, let it happen!
Rosé—and later, Ariana Grande—shouting out her therapist
While Rosé is no stranger to the VMAs stage as a member of Blackpink, she scored her first solo win for song of the year (for “APT”) on Sunday night—and took the opportunity to remind the audience of the importance of mental health care. “This is a really big moment for 16-year-old me and anyone else who has dreamed of being accepted equally for their hard work,” she said. “As my therapist tells me to do every day, I’d like to thank myself for not giving up even in the toughest of times.”
Megan Stalter for Dunkin’
I ride hard for Megan Stalter, whether she’s starring on Lena Dunham’s Too Much or blessing us all with the syntactical art that is “Hi, gay,” and seeing her do her typically deranged schtick in a VMAs spot for Dunkin’ while wearing a weird little hat, stunningly long nails, and a bejewelled Dunkin’-cup bag before introducing artist Sombr was as welcome and pleasant a surprise as it’s possible for a piece of #brandedcontent to be. “Hi, Miss Jealous” has officially entered the lexicon, and we have Megan to thank for that.
This story was originally published on Vogue.com.
