Lady Gaga leads the nominations for the 2025 Video Music Awards (VMAs) with an impressive 12 nods. Her nominations include Video of the Year for her hit single “Die With a Smile,” as well as Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for her latest project, “Mayhem.” Close behind her is Bruno Mars, who has garnered 11 nominations, all derived from his collaborations with Gaga and K-pop star Rosé on their tracks “Die With a Smile” and “APT.”
Kendrick Lamar follows with a total of 10 nominations, seven of which are for his music video “Not Like Us.” This video will compete against Gaga and Mars’ “Die With a Smile,” as well as entries from artists like Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, and The Weeknd.
This year’s ceremony will feature two new categories: Best Pop Artist and Best Country Video. Notably, first-time nominees include Alex Warren, Blake Shelton, Gigi Perez, Lainey Wilson, and Mac Miller, marking a diverse range of talent in the mix.
The VMAs are scheduled for September 7 at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. For the first time, the awards will be aired on CBS in addition to MTV and available for streaming on Paramount+ for subscribers. The event will be produced by former MTV head Van Toffler’s company, Gunpowder & Sky, in collaboration with Den of Thieves.
The competition will be fierce across various categories, showcasing a rich array of talent from established stars to emerging artists. The excitement around the VMAs reflects the evolving landscape of the music industry and the continuous celebration of creativity in music videos.
Whether you’re a fan of pop, hip-hop, rock, or any other genre, the 2025 VMAs promise to be a thrilling event celebrating the best in music.