The 2025 MTV VMAs at UBS Arena delivered a night of highs and lows, with standout performances from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin contrasted by Mariah Carey’s underwhelming Vanguard tribute.

The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards delivered a night packed with both dazzling highs and surprising disappointments, reminding fans once again that no awards show goes without its mix of triumphs and awkward missteps.

Held on Sunday, September 7, at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, the ceremony was hosted by LL Cool J and featured a parade of some of the biggest names in music.

While legends like Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga proved why they remain at the top of the industry, Mariah Carey’s long-awaited honor as the recipient of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award fell flat, and Taylor Swift’s absence left a noticeable void.

Yet the evening’s most emotional and unifying moment belonged to a thunderous tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away in July at 76.

The night began with Lady Gaga taking home Artist of the Year. In classic Gaga fashion, her entrance and exit were as dramatic as her words.

Skipping the red carpet, she walked directly onstage to accept the award early in the show before racing back to Madison Square Garden for her “Mayhem Ball” concert.

Dressed in metallic leather and sporting her signature oversized shades, Gaga dedicated her award “to the audience,” telling the crowd, “You deserve a stage to shine on.”

Fans cheered wildly before she exited almost as quickly as she arrived. It was a reminder of her unstoppable work ethic — performing for thousands across town while still showing up for one of music’s biggest nights.

Ricky Martin was another highlight, commanding the stage with a Latin Icon medley that transported the audience back to his 1990s and early 2000s heyday.

Launching into “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” “Shake Your Bon-Bon,” “Maria,” and “The Cup of Life,” Martin proved his star power hasn’t dimmed after four decades.

The crowd rose to its feet as Jessica Simpson, a longtime friend, presented him with the Latin Icon Award. “I started as a baby, working, and we’re still here,” Martin said humbly.

“We just want to unite countries. We just want to break boundaries. And we just want to keep music alive.” His words echoed the global appeal of his career, and the performance cemented why he remains one of Latin pop’s enduring figures.

Not all the evening’s moments were as graceful. Rosé, who won Song of the Year for “APT.” with Bruno Mars, tested the patience of the audience with a meandering acceptance speech that seemed to last forever.

Alone onstage, the K-pop superstar attempted to thank nearly everyone she had ever worked with, trailing off into long pauses and repeated acknowledgments. “Where’s the cutoff music when you need it?” one attendee was overheard whispering.

Despite the awkwardness, her victory marked a career milestone as she solidifies herself as one of the most recognizable soloists to emerge from the K-pop wave.

But the most anticipated moment of the night came when Mariah Carey accepted the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

A living legend with decades of chart-topping hits, Carey used her speech to lightly jab MTV for waiting so long to honor her. “I’ll admit, it took them forever to give me this,” she said with a sly smile, drawing laughs and applause.

Yet when it came time for her performance, the energy fizzled. Carey’s medley of hits — expected to be a triumphant walk through her legacy — came across stiff and underwhelming.

The vocal power that once defined her was intact, but her choreography lacked spark, and her stage presence felt muted compared to past show-stopping appearances.

As one fan tweeted during the broadcast, “Mariah deserves the Vanguard, but tonight wasn’t her best moment. Go girl, give us nothing.” For an icon celebrated for her grandeur, the subdued delivery stood out as one of the night’s biggest disappointments.

In sharp contrast, the evening’s most emotional high came with the Ozzy Osbourne tribute.

Following the Black Sabbath frontman’s death in July at age 76, a powerhouse lineup including Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Yungblud, and Nuno Bettencourt stormed the stage to honor the Prince of Darkness.

Together, they ripped through classics like “Crazy Train,” “Changes,” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” The crowd roared as Tyler, battling his own vocal struggles that recently forced Aerosmith to retire from touring, belted through the songs with raw emotion.

At the end of the set, the musicians shouted in unison, “Ozzy Osbourne forever!” It was a rare moment that brought artists and fans together in shared reverence, underscoring Osbourne’s place as one of rock’s most enduring icons.

Beyond the performances, the night had its share of star power in the audience. Ariana Grande, who took home both Best Pop and Video of the Year, was seen celebrating alongside husband Dalton Gomez.

Jessica Simpson made headlines with fans speculating about her dramatically altered appearance. Lenny Kravitz, Ciara, Paris Hilton, Ice Spice, and more celebrities filled the arena, but one name was conspicuously missing: Taylor Swift.

Just months after announcing her engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce, Swift skipped the VMAs entirely despite being nominated for Artist of the Year.

The absence of her megawatt presence was felt. “What’s an award show without Taylor?” fans wondered on social media. Still, Swifties have something else to look forward to — her upcoming album “The Life of a Showgirl,” due out October 3.

For all its glitz, the 2025 VMAs showcased both the magic and the messiness of live television. Lady Gaga reminded fans of her unstoppable artistry, Ricky Martin brought the arena to life, and Ozzy Osbourne’s tribute created a moment of unity that transcended generations.

On the flip side, Rosé’s endless speech dragged on, Mariah Carey’s underwhelming Vanguard performance left fans divided, and Taylor Swift’s absence loomed over the night. As LL Cool J closed the ceremony, he quipped, “That’s the VMAs — always unpredictable.”

And with icons clashing, legends faltering, and new stars rising, he wasn’t wrong. The night may have been long, but it left plenty for fans to argue about long after the last Moonman was handed out.