Mariah Carey Honored as MTV VMAs 2025 Celebrated Women in Music
The MTV Video Music Awards 2025 turned out to be an evening that leaned more toward legacy and celebration than the kind of wild, headline-grabbing spectacles the show was once famous for. While Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, and Sabrina Carpenter each walked away with two trophies, the real spotlight was on Mariah Carey, who was finally recognized with her very first VMA — the prestigious Video Vanguard Award.
The ceremony itself was described as relatively muted. Hosted in Long Island’s UBS Arena and emceed by LL Cool J, the show lasted three hours but presented only seven awards on live television. Still, what it lacked in flashy moments, it made up for in emotional speeches and meaningful recognition of female artistry.
Lady Gaga, who had gone into the night as the most nominated artist with 12 nods, set the tone early when she won Artist of the Year. Dressed in a dramatic baroque black gown, she dedicated her award to her fans and her partner, Michael Polansky, before dashing off to perform the final show of her Mayhem tour at Madison Square Garden. Her message to the crowd was heartfelt — she spoke about navigating the mayhem of life and remembering the importance of art and self-reliance.
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Sabrina Carpenter shined with her wins for Album of the Year for Short n’ Sweet and Best Pop Artist. She also delivered one of the standout performances of the night, singing her retro-inspired track Tears alongside ballroom icons and drag stars. The performance doubled as a call to protect trans rights, showing how Carpenter used her platform for both artistry and advocacy.
Ariana Grande had perhaps the most emotional moment of the evening when she accepted Video of the Year for her song Brighter Days Ahead . Standing beside director Christian Breslauer, Grande spoke about the healing process and how her project was dedicated to finding safety within oneself. Her words struck a chord, encouraging anyone on a journey of recovery to keep going because, as she said, “there are brighter days ahead.”
But the most talked-about moment of the night came when Ariana Grande presented Mariah Carey with the Video Vanguard Award. Carey, who has been a music video icon for decades, performed a medley of her hits before stepping up to accept the honor. With her trademark humor, she joked, “I can’t believe I’m getting my first VMA tonight. What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?” She went on to reflect on how music videos have been her way of expressing life and drama, adding that while music always evolves, fun remains eternal.
The night also included tributes to legends — Ricky Martin was honored as the first Latin Icon, Busta Rhymes received the Rock the Bells Visionary Award, and Ozzy Osbourne was remembered through performances from Yungblud and Aerosmith.
In the end, the 2025 VMAs were less about shocking the world and more about honoring artistry, resilience, and legacy. With Mariah Carey’s long-overdue recognition and women dominating nearly every major category, it felt like a night that quietly but powerfully highlighted the artists shaping both today’s pop landscape and its history.
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