Lady Gaga Leads 2025 MTV VMAs with Record 12 Nominations: Full List, Categories & Voting Guide

Lady Gaga is making headlines yet again, this time by dominating the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs 2025) with a record-breaking 12 nominations. The pop icon’s artistic and visual prowess from her latest album Mayhem and standout performances have placed her at the top of the list, setting the tone for what could be one of the most memorable VMA editions in recent history.

vmas 2025: Why Does Lady Gaga Dominate the Nomination List?

The powerhouse performer is no stranger to VMAs recognition, but her 2025 sweep is extraordinary. Gaga is nominated in nearly every major category including Artist of the Year, Video of the Year for her collaboration with Bruno Mars on “Die With a Smile,” and Song of the Year. Her visually striking solo track “Abracadabra” has also earned her nods in technical categories like Best Direction, Cinematography, Visual Effects, and Choreography.

Following closely behind are Bruno Mars with 11 nominations and Kendrick Lamar with 10. Rising stars like Rosé and Sabrina Carpenter each earned eight nominations, while Ariana Grande and The Weeknd scored seven apiece.

Gaga’s nominations span:

• Artist of the Year

• Video of the Year (“Die With a Smile”)

• Song of the Year

• Best Album (Mayhem)

• Best Direction, Visual Effects, Editing, Art Direction, and more

These nods not only highlight Gaga’s musical talent but her continued influence in the intersection of music and visual art.

vmas 2025: What You Need to Know About Fan Voting & Broadcast Details

Fans can participate in the VMAs 2025 by voting for their favorite artists and videos. Most categories are open for voting on the official VMAs website until September 5. The Best New Artist category, however, remains open even during the live broadcast, allowing fans to sway the outcome in real-time.

Additional voting opportunities are available via Instagram using official hashtags until August 8 at 6 p.m. ET. From August 7 to September 4, fans can also cast double votes during the daily Power Hour between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. ET.

The 2025 MTV VMAs will broadcast live from the UBS Arena in New York on Sunday, September 7 at 8 p.m. ET. The event will air on CBS and MTV, with live streaming available on Paramount+.

vmas 2025: Which Categories Stand Out This Year?

New Additions

This year marks the debut of two new categories:

• Best Pop Artist – Featuring Ariana Grande, Charli XCX, Justin Bieber, Lorde, Miley Cyrus, Sabrina Carpenter, and Tate McRae.

• Best Country – Including Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, and Morgan Wallen.

These additions reflect the evolving musical landscape and the VMAs’ effort to represent broader genres and artist styles.

Key Nominations

Video of the Year contenders include:

• Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile”

• Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead”

• Billie Eilish – “Birds of a Feather”

• Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”

• ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.”

• Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”

• The Weeknd & Playboi Carti – “Timeless”

Artist of the Year features megastars like Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd.

Song of the Year includes tracks from Alex Warren, Ed Sheeran, Gracie Abrams, Lorde, and more.

Beyond genre-based categories like Best Rock, Best Hip-Hop, Best Latin, and Best K-Pop, technical excellence in visuals and editing are honored with awards such as Best Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Visual Effects.

You Must Know:

What does Lady Gaga’s nomination lead mean for VMAs 2025?

Lady Gaga’s sweep signals her ongoing relevance and dominance in music and visual storytelling. With 12 nominations, she’s poised to set another record and potentially take home several awards across diverse categories.

How and when can fans vote for the VMAs 2025?

Fans can vote online at the official VMAs website through September 5. Instagram hashtag voting is open until August 8, and Power Hour double voting runs daily from August 7 to September 4 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. ET.

Where and when will the 2025 VMAs air?

The VMAs 2025 will be broadcast live from UBS Arena in New York on Sunday, September 7 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and MTV. Streaming will also be available via Paramount+.

Which artists have the most nominations after Gaga?

Bruno Mars with 11 nominations, Kendrick Lamar with 10, Rosé and Sabrina Carpenter with 8 each, Ariana Grande and The Weeknd with 7, Billie Eilish with 6, and Charli XCX with 5.

What are the new award categories at VMAs 2025?

Best Pop Artist and Best Country categories were added in 2025 to reflect genre growth and increased competition in these areas.

Lady Gaga’s historic 12 nominations at the VMAs 2025 reinforce her powerhouse status and set the stage for a high-energy, fan-driven celebration of global music culture this September.