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The nominations for the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards are in, and it is shaping up to be a star-studded showdown. Lady Gaga leads the pack with 12 nominations, followed closely by Bruno Mars with 11 and Kendrick Lamar with 10. They are the only artists to score double-digit nods this year. This also marks the third time Gaga has topped the nominations list, solidifying her place as a VMA heavyweight.
Not far behind are Rosé and Sabrina Carpenter, who each earned eight nominations. Ariana Grande and The Weeknd received seven, while Billie Eilish followed with six. Charli xcx landed five nods, and Bad Bunny, Doechii, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Miley Cyrus, and Tate McRae scored four each.
The 2025 VMAs will take place on September 7 at the UBS Arena in New York City. The event will be simulcast live on CBS and MTV, with streaming available on Paramount+.
In the prestigious Video of the Year category, nominees include Ariana Grande's "Brighter Days Ahead," Billie Eilish's "Birds of a Feather," Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us," Gaga and Mars' "Die with a Smile," Rosé and Mars' "Apt.," Sabrina Carpenter's "Manchild," and The Weeknd and Playboi Carti's "Timeless."
This year's Artist of the Year contenders are Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd. The Best New Artist category features Alex Warren, Ella Langley, Gigi Perez, Lola Young, Sombr, and The Marías.
Two new categories are making their debut: Best Country and Best Pop Artist. These additions reflect the growing diversity of talent and genre representation at the VMAs.
Other categories include Song of the Year, Best Collaboration, MTV Push Performance of the Year, Best Hip-Hop, Best R&B, Best Alternative, and more. Notably, Gaga and Mars appear in several major categories for their collaborative track "Die with a Smile," while Rosé and Mars' "Apt." also secured multiple nominations.
The full list of nominees offers a dynamic mix of established icons and rising stars, setting the stage for a competitive and memorable awards night.
