NEW YORK – American pop singer Lady Gaga was named Artist of the Year at MTV’s Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Sept 7, prevailing over heavyweights Taylor Swift and Beyonce at the fan-voted honours in New York.
Gaga, currently on tour with her album Mayhem (2025), took the stage in a black ruffled dress with giant sleeves and purple accents. The 39-year-old thanked her fans as she held the VMAs Moon Person trophy.
“I cannot begin to tell you what this means to be rewarded for being an artist, being rewarded for something that is already so rewarding,” Gaga said before leaving the venue to perform a concert at Madison Square Garden.
Gaga’s win prevented Beyonce or Swift from emerging as the most-honoured artist in VMA history. The pair
remain tied at 30 VMAs each
.
Host LL Cool J kicked off the ceremony at the UBS Arena in New York with a promise of show-stopping performances from legends such as Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin and American singer Mariah Carey and a tribute to the late British rocker Ozzy Osbourne.
“Music is the force that brings us together,” LL Cool J said. “Tonight we are leaving everything else at the door.”
Gaga went into the ceremony with the most nominations – 12 – for songs including Die With A Smile, her duet with American singer Bruno Mars.
Die With A Smile was in the running for the night’s top honour, Video of the Year. Competitors included Birds Of A Feather by American singer Billie Eilish, American rapper Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us and American singer Sabrina Carpenter’s Manchild.
Meanwhile, Rose of K-pop girl group Blackpink won Song of the Year with Apt., her breakout hit from 2024.
The 28-year-old collected the prize at the New York ceremony in a buttery yellow strapless sequined dress and was decked out in diamonds.
She began her acceptance speech by thanking Mars, her “absolute idol and incredible teacher” who collaborated with her on the track.
“Thank you so much for believing in me and helping me build this world together,” Rose said. “I’m really, really forever grateful for you, and our friendship, and everything.”
The New Zealand-born singer also dedicated the award to her “16-year-old self, who dreamed, and to those who have watched me grow”.
This was Rose’s first VMA win as a solo performer. She was nominated in eight categories, including Video of the Year, Best Pop and Best Collaboration.
In 2020, Blackpink picked up their first VMA for Song of Summer for How You Like That (2020) and were named Group of the Year in 2023.
New categories were added in 2025 for Best Country Video and Best Pop Artist.
American singer Megan Moroney’s Am I Okay? was the winner for Best Country Video, with nominees including Think I’m In Love With You by American singer Chris Stapleton, Liar by American singer Jelly Roll and Morgan Wallen’s Smile. REUTERS, THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK