Lady Gaga has emerged as the front-runner for the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, receiving an impressive twelve nominations and cementing her status as one of the music industry’s most celebrated figures this year.
The 39-year-old American singer-songwriter, currently criss-crossing the United States on her latest tour, has been recognised in a range of high-profile categories. Her latest album, ‘Mayhem’, has not only garnered praise from critics but has also earned nods for Artist of the Year and Best Album, signalling her continued influence in the evolving pop landscape.
Among her chief competitors are some of the most prominent figures in contemporary music. Bruno Mars has secured eleven nominations, while lauded rapper Kendrick Lamar follows with ten. Espresso singer Sabrina Carpenter finds herself with eight nominations, joining pop sensation Ariana Grande, who has picked up seven. This competitive field reflects the diversity and vibrancy of this year’s musical offerings.
Notably, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars have joined forces on the track ‘Die With A Smile’, which finds itself contending for both Song of the Year and Best Collaboration. Their partnership extends even further, with nominations in the Best Pop and Video of the Year categories, indicating strong industry support for their creative synergy.
Mars, aged 39 and known for his energetic performances and genre-blending style, has also earned recognition for his collaboration with Blackpink’s Rose on the hit ‘APT’. This release is up for Best Collaboration, demonstrating the ongoing appeal of cross-genre and international musical pairings.
Lady Gaga’s creativity permeates the technical aspects of her work too. For her track ‘Abracadabra’, she has been shortlisted for Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Choreography, and Best Visual Effects. It’s a testament to her commitment to pushing artistic boundaries both on stage and behind the scenes.
This year’s awards also bring renewed attention to established icons, with both Beyoncé and Taylor Swift nominated for Artist of the Year. The pair, each holding a record 30 VMA trophies, are now poised to surpass that milestone and potentially claim the title of the ceremony’s most decorated artist should they take home the accolade.
Introducing further change, the VMAs have launched two new categories: Best Country and Best Pop Artist. Featured in the latter are some of pop’s brightest stars, including Grande, Carpenter, Justin Bieber, Lorde, Miley Cyrus, Tate McRae and the UK’s own Charli XCX. The latter, whose sixth studio album ‘Brat’ made significant waves last year, has gathered five nominations, including Best Video for Good for her chart-topping collaboration with Billie Eilish, ‘Guess’.
Recognition is also being given to notable new talent. British up-and-comer Lola Young has picked up her first VMA nomination in the Best New Artist category and earned a nod for Best Alternative Song with her breakout hit ‘Messy’. These nominations further highlight the international character of the awards and the persistent influx of innovative musicians into the global pop sphere.
Kendrick Lamar’s achievements cannot be overlooked, with his album ‘GNX’, released in November 2024, earning a nomination for Best Album. His standout single ‘Not Like Us’ has also secured mentions for Video of the Year and multiple technical categories, affirming his critical and commercial success.
The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards are scheduled to take place at New York’s UBS Arena on 7 September. As anticipation builds, the event is expected to showcase not only established superstars but also highlight emerging voices, reflecting the ever-changing dynamics of popular music.