Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga set the tone at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night with career-defining moments of their own.
Christian Breslauer, left, and Ariana Grande accept the award for video of the year for "Brighter Days Ahead" during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7 at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y.
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Lady Gaga accepts the award for artist of the year during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7 at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y.
Mariah Carey performs a medley during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7 at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y.
LL Cool J, right, presents the rock the bells visionary award to Busta Rhymes, left, during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7 at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y.
Doja Cat performs "Jealous Type" during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7 at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y.
Photo highlights from the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards
Doja Cat arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Ariana Grande arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Yungblud performs a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Yungblud, from left, Steven Tyler, and Joe Perry perform a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Ariana Grande accepts the award for best pop for "Brighter Days Ahead" during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Spliff Star, left, and Busta Rhymes perform during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Sombr performs during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Sabrina Carpenter, winner of the awards for best pop artist, best visual effects, best cinematography, best editing and best direction for "Manchild, and best album for "Short n' Sweet poses in the press room during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Conan Gray performs 'Vodka Cranberry' during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Tate McRae performs "Sports Car" during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Audrey Nuna, from left, Ejae, Rei Ami, and May Hong of "KPop Demon Hunters" arrive at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Yungblud, from left, Steven Tyler, and Joe Perry perform a tribute to Ozzy Osbourneduring the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Lenny Kravitz presents the award for artist of the year during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Doja Cat performs "Jealous Type" during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Lady Gaga accepts the award for artist of the year during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Ricky Martin performs during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Rosé accepts the award for song of the year for "APT."during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Megan Moroney poses in the press room with the best country award for "Am I Okay?" during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Mariah Carey performs a medley during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Ariana Grande, rigtht, presents the video vanguard award to Mariah Carey, left, during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Paris Hilton, left, and Nicky Hilton arrive at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Tyla arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Host LL Cool J speaks during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
James Abrahart arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
