Queen of Christmas Mariah Carey has made her annual, iconic “it’s tiiiime!” announcement — and this time, she had a little help.
On Saturday, Carey unwrapped an announcement video in conjunction with Sephora in which Santa Carey is interrupted from spreading Christmas joy by a thieving elf.
Played by Billy Eichner, the elf has nabbed some of her Sephora, but Mariah isn’t having it. In spite of his complaints, she sings “it’s tiiiime!” and the games begin.
Carey’s spot makes extensive use of AI to show her in her sleigh over NYC.
Carey has claimed the moniker Queen of Christmas ever since releasing her first Christmas album in 1994, with its single “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
Since then, the song has re-entered the Billboard charts seasonally. The first time it hit no. 1 was in 2019, and it has hit the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 every year since, generating an estimated $100 million in revenues for Carey and the song’s co-writer and co-producer, Walter Afansieff.
Summer Walker has something to say to anyone questioning her desire for a sugar daddy.
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
Last weekend, Summer Walker shocked fans as she walked down the red carpet at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards with an older mystery man. Nearly a week later, the man’s identity still has not been made public, but the singer did tell reporters at the awards show that he’s a “special friend” of hers. When asked further questions, she simply urged the public to mind their business.
Of course, the internet isn’t about minding your business, leading to fan theories around the man’s relationship to Walker. The most popular theory, given his age, is that he’s her sugar daddy–a rumor Walker replied to during a recent livestream.
While the Over It artist was live, one fan commented that she doesn’t need a sugar daddy, since she appears to be doing just fine, financially, on her own. In response to this assertion, Summer made it clear that just because she has money of her own, it doesn’t mean she wants to spend it.
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
“‘You don’t need a sugar daddy, you are you are own sugar daddy.’ Uh-Uh, you sound like…one of them n**gas that be calling girls ‘big money,’” she said in a clip captured by Live Bitez. “I don’t give a damn if I got my own money. My money is mine, your money is mine.”
“‘Get them coins,’” she said, again reading the comments. “Exactly, sprinkle mother freakin’ sprinkle.”
Walker’s reaction during her livestream doesn’t exactly confirm that the man from the MTV VMAs is her sugar daddy, but it definitely looks like she’s open to the idea.
During a red carpet conversation with Entertainment Tonight, Summer referred to the much older man as her “special friend,” but she brushed off any further questions about their connection.
The man did end up chiming in, saying they met through mutual friends in Los Angeles, but when he was asked how long they’d been seeing each other, he and Summer quickly made their way inside. Having recently split from rapper Rico Recklezz, Summer might’ve moved on to someone older, but she’s not spilling the beans just yet.
At the Venice Film Festival earlier this month, Jacob Elordi was reportedly moved to tears by a standing ovation that lasted either 13 or 15 minutes, depending who you ask, after the world premiere of his latest film, Frankenstein. Elordi plays the creature at the center of director Guillermo del Toro’s take on the classic, and critics are all “forgiveness” this, and “artistry” that about the latest visual interpretation of Mary Shelley’s 1818 horror novel. However, the world has been overlooking the real-life reboot that’s been right under our noses, not to mention at the top of the Billboard 200 chart: Sabrina Carpenter and her latest album, Man’s Best Friend, released August 29.
While Elordi is a natural pick to play the mix-and-match creature, with his six-foot-five frame and classically handsome face just begging for some monstrous prosthetics, the diminutive, perky, and often lingerie-clad Carpenter and her career are an apt stand-in for the misunderstood figure at the center of the story, painstakingly crafted only to be reviled by the maker. Shelley’s tale examines themes of bodily autonomy and patriarchal control, which easily transpose onto Carpenter’s image, in which she somehow manages to rotate through a wardrobe of vintage Victoria’s Secret teddies and lacy robes with sky-high heels. She’s not dressing for the male gaze. As she said in a 2024 interview with Time, she’s dressing for herself and empowering her fans to do the same. “Femininity is something that I’ve always embraced,” she told the magazine. “And if right now that means corsets and garter belts and fuzzy robes or whatever the fuck, then that’s what that means.” While a bustier and heels may be part of the Playboy Bunny uniform, when Carpenter dons the same look, it’s with a wink and the knowledge that her stiletto heels are a means of lifting her to the top of the world.
Her career, like that of any other pop sensation, owes plenty to those who came before her: a dash of Dolly Parton’s big hair and commanding lyrics, a sprinkle of Britney Spears’s girl-next-door sexpot vibe, a heaping scoop of Taylor Swift’s collaborator-heavy, country-influenced discography, and more. Stir to combine and bake for 20 minutes. And voilà, you have yourself a Carpenter, a chart-topping amalgamation of the divas of yore, familiar yet novel. But just as Carpenter is celebrated for her absolute bangers, the same society that demanded a pop star exactly like her shrieks that she’s too provocative, a bad influence, sending our delicate young girls a bad message. Clutch your pearls, folks; a former Disney child star is singing about sex! It’s almost as if she…grew up? A concept. In “Tears,” a song off her new album, Carpenter sarcastically marvels at how hot it is when the male object of the narrator’s affection acts with basic human decency. “I get wet at the thought of you / Being a responsible guy / Treating me like you’re supposed to / Tears run down my thighs,” she sings. Similarly, the creature doesn’t understand why Frankenstein, who created him and tended to him, recoils in horror at what he’s done and runs from him. Carpenter in “My Man on Willpower”: “He used to be literally obsessed with me / I’m suddenly the least sought-after girl in the land.”
In the book, the thoroughly alienated and rejected creature vows revenge and goes on a killing spree, eliminating those Frankenstein loves one by one. In “Goodbye” Carpenter sings, “Broke my heart on Saturday / Guess overnight your feelings changed / And I have cried so much I almost fainted / To show you just how much it hurts / I wish I had a gun or words.” Thankfully, she chooses words.
Carpenter’s revenge on those who wrong her is bloodless but brutal; just listen to “Never Getting Laid” and imagine being on the receiving end of that, for one example: “Baby, I’m not angry / I love you just the same,” she sings, before continuing, “I just hope you get agoraphobia someday / And all your days are sunny from your windowpane / Wish you a lifetime full of happiness / And a forever of never getting laid.” Trapped inside by fear, watching everyone else have a nice time, and no sex? Withering.
Sabrina Carpenter is the undisputed queen of vintage. Her musical epic, punctuated by her global hit “Espresso,” never ceases to embrace the codes of yesteryear, as in the case of her latest single, “Tears,” with its ’80s disco pop sounds, which she performed on stage at the VMAs 2025 last Sunday. For her performance, Carpenter first appeared on stage wearing a fringed top adorned with rhinestones and a matching miniskirt. But halfway through, the singer changed up her look. The new outfit? A diamond-spangled halter bra and black sequined mini-shorts. It was a more daring and sexy ensemble, not to mention a nod to a pop star from the 2000s: Britney Spears.
Sabrina Carpenter on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards 2025 on September 7, 2025 in New York.
Christopher Polk/Getty Images
Christopher Polk/Getty Images
In 2001, Spears wore a similar bra designed by Bob Mackie for a performance of “Baby One More Time” featured in an HBO documentary about her Dream Within a Dream Tour. Originally, the lingerie piece was designed for the Las Vegas revue Jubilee! in 1981. However, the bra sold at auction this year for $78,000 (over 66,200 euros); Sabrina Carpenter’s version being a replica, not the original.
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Carpenter’s vintage fashion marathon and tribute—not only to Mackie but another foundational pop diva—continued outside the musical ceremony. And yes, you’d have thought that after winning three awards, including Album of the Year for Short n’ Sweet, the singer would be tuckered out, but no, far from it. Carpenter celebrated her victory at her own “Sabrina54” afterparty, and donned another look straight from Cher‘s archives for the occasion.
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Hollywood’s favorites, including Tate McRae, reality star Olandria Carthen, Sombr and more changed into sizzling hot outfits while keeping the night going after the awards show, which was held at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on Sunday, September 7.
For the afterparties, celebs turned up the heat and made sure to make a fashion statement in the Big Apple. McRae ditched her custom Ludovic de Saint Sernin red carpet dress for another sheer ensemble.
Her look included a black mesh catsuit with a halter top covering her chest and mid-rise black underwear. The singer styled it with black shades and pointed-toe heels.
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Olandria also swapped out her cherry red Cheney Chan look for a semi-sheer mini dress adorned with crystals. To make the look even hotter, she wore black stockings and crystal earrings. The Love Island USA sensation donned the same makeup as she did while hitting the red carpet, including glossy lips and long lashes. Her brunette hair was styled in a slicked-back updo.
Keep scrolling to see the best 2025 VMAs afterparty looks:
But while the event’s best and worst moments kept fans glued to their TV screens on Sunday, September 7, a night full of untelevised moments were seen firsthand only by Us Weekly.
From famous faces unveiling killer dance moves away from the cameras inside New York City’s UBS Arena, to the musical performance that scored the night’s most rambunctious applause, non-stop behind-the-scenes action kept Us on the edge of its seat all night.
As for the event’s most decorated artist, Lady Gaga, she offered brief-but-sweet interactions with a select few, while Ariana Grande, who came out with three of her own Moon Person trophies, made time for almost everybody in the room.
The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards celebrates the year’s biggest artists and music videos, so of course they also delivered bold and unforgettable fashion moments. Some of Hollywood’s favorites attended the star-studded affair, which took place at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on Sunday, September 7. From Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift to […]
Elsewhere, surprising friendships came to light, awkward run-ins couldn’t be avoided and Mariah Carey finally took home the statue she’d long been waiting for.
Scroll down for more 2025 VMAs action exclusively caught by Us.
Lady Gaga Arrived Late
Ariana Grande and Lady GagaKevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTV
The Artist of the Year recipient was unable to attend the entire ceremony due to a conflicting Mayhem Ball concert date at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Gaga arrived after LL Cool J’s opening monologue and quickly took her place in the front row next to Ariana after giving her a hug.
Ariana Grande Fangirled Over Lola Young
While Ariana walked away from the night with the Video of the Year, Best Pop and Best Longform Video trophies, she was also an avid supporter of her industry peers. Us spotted the “Brighter Days Ahead” singer offering Lola Young a standing ovation after her performance.
Stars Took Their Time Catching Up With Each Other
Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana GrandeJohn Shearer/Getty Images for MTV
Us saw plenty of star-powered interaction throughout the night, including FKA Twigs chatting to KATSEYE, Ariana and fashion stylist Law Roach leaving their seats together and rapper Sexyy Red hugging Jersey Shore’s DJ Pauly D. Ariana made sure she chatted to several industry friends including Carey after she presented her with the Michael Jackson Vanguard Award, Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McCrae and Too Much star Megan Stalter, whom she hugged.
Ricky Martin’s Performance Rocked the House
Ricky Martin’s performanceJohnny Nunez/Getty Images for MTV
The “Livin’ la Vida Loca” star, who arrived on stage in a box, brought the house down with Tyla, Frankie Grande, his half-sister Ariana, KATSEYE, FKA Twigs and other artists jumping out of their seats to dance. Speaking of standout musical acts, Busta Rhymes also raised energy levels and got everyone standing.
A Technical Glitch Made KATSEYE’s Award Awkward
Ice Spice and LattoJohnny Nunez/Getty Images for MTV
Ice Spice and Latto didn’t read ‘KATSEYE’ while presenting the Push Performance of the Year award. Music began playing as the presenters were about to open the winner’s envelope. An awkward pause was felt before KATSEYE suddenly got on the stage.
Mariah Carey Appeared Uncomfortable
Mariah CareyKevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTV
The musical icon appeared to walk very slowly throughout the venue. She also looked to be quite stiff-like at times.
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Frankie Grande Loved Alex Warren’s Performance
Seen jamming to Alex Warren’s “Ordinary,” Frankie was the only person in his section to stand during the performance. He also raised his hands in the air as he enjoyed that particular track.
Ed Sheeran Failed to Attract Many Cheers
When Ed Sheeran’s “Sapphire” was announced in the category of Best Pop, hardly anybody was heard cheering compared to other category announcements.
Sabrina Carpenter Dropped the F-Bomb
Sabrina CarpenterKevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTV
During her acceptance speech for Album of the Year, Carpenter expressed her passion for the queer community with a surprising expletive. “This world, as we all know, can be so full of criticism and discrimination and negativity,” she said. “So to get to be part of something that can bring light, make you smile, make you dance, and make you feel like the world is your f***ing oyster. I’m so grateful to do that.”
On Sunday night, the 2025 MTV VMAs remembered Ozzy Osbourne. “The Prince of Darkness,” who passed away from a heart attack at the age of 76, was honored by Yungblud, Nuno Bettencourt and Aerosmith members Steven Tyler and Joe Perry…
Lady Gaga has conquered Wednesday, and now she’s coming for the holiest day of the week. Tonight, Gaga will make this year’s MTV VMAs her temple of Mayhem. She returns to pull double duty as the most nominated artist this year in 12 categories — sharing four of those noms with Bruno Mars for “Die With a Smile” — and as one of the evening’s performers. No word yet if fake blood or raw meat will be her plus-one, but considering that Mars is also sharing nominations with Rosé, they’ll have room. Gaga won the first Moon Person televised on the night, Artist of the Year. And yet the voters said Tate McRae had the song of the summer. Interesting!
Hosted by LL Cool J, this evening’s awards show will hold a lot of firsts: Rosé was the first Korean artist nominated for Video of the Year, Mariah Carey is getting her first VMAs with the Video Vanguard Award, and it’ll be the first time the show will air live on CBS. Below, the 2025 MTV VMA winners, updated live once the show starts at 8 p.m.
Artist of the Year Bad Bunny Beyoncé Kendrick Lamar Lady Gaga Morgan Wallen Taylor Swift The Weeknd
Song of the Year Alex Warren – “Ordinary” Billie Eilish – “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” Doechii – “Anxiety” Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” Gracie Abrams – “I Love You, I’m Sorry” Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile” Lorde – “What Was That” ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” Tate McRae – “Sports Car” The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless”
Best New Artist Alex Warren Ella Langley Gigi Perez Lola Young sombr The Marías
Best Pop Artist Ariana Grande Charli xcx Justin Bieber Lorde Miley Cyrus Sabrina Carpenter Tate McRae
MTV Push Performance of the Year, presented by Bacardí Rum Shaboozey – “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” Ayra Starr – “Last Heartbreak Song” Mark Ambor – “Belong Together” Lay Bankz – “Graveyard” Dasha – “Bye Bye Bye” KATSEYE – “Touch” Jordan Adetunji – “KEHLANI” Leon Thomas – “YES IT IS” Livingston – “Shadow” Damiano David – “Next Summer” Gigi Perez – “Sailor Song” ROLE MODEL – “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out”
Best Collaboration, presented by Under Armour Bailey Zimmerman with Luke Combs – “Backup Plan (Stagecoach Official Music Video)” Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “luther” Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile” Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton – “Pour Me a Drink” ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” Selena Gomez, benny blanco – “Sunset Blvd”
Best Pop Alex Warren – “Ordinary” Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile” ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
Best Hip-Hop Doechii – “Anxiety” Drake – “NOKIA” Eminem ft. Jelly Roll – “Somebody Save Me” GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red – “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME” Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” LL COOL J ft. Eminem – “Murdergram Deux” Travis Scott – “4X4”
Best R&B Chris Brown – “Residuals” Leon Thomas & Freddie Gibbs – “MUTT (REMIX)” Mariah Carey – “Type Dangerous” PARTYNEXTDOOR – “N o C h i l l” Summer Walker – “Heart of a Woman” SZA – “Drive” The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless”
Best Alternative Gigi Perez – “Sailor Song” Imagine Dragons – “Wake Up” Lola Young – “Messy” mgk & Jelly Roll – “Lonely Road” sombr – “back to friends” The Marías – “Back to Me”
Best Rock Coldplay – “All My Love” Evanescence – “Afterlife (From the Netflix Series Devil May Cry)” Green Day – “One Eyed Bastard” Lenny Kravitz – “Honey” Linkin Park – “The Emptiness Machine” Twenty One Pilots – “The Contract”
Best Latin Bad Bunny – “Baile Inolvidable” J Balvin – “Rio” Karol G – “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” Peso Pluma – “La Patrulla” Rauw Alejandro & Romeo Santos – “Khé?” Shakira – “Soltera“
Best K-pop Aespa – “Whiplash” Jennie – “Like Jennie ” Jimin – “Who” Jisoo – “Earthquake” Lisa ft. Doja Cat & Raye – “Born Again” Stray Kids – “Chk Chk Boom” Rosé – “Toxic Till the End”
Best Afrobeats Asake & Travis Scott – “Active” Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott – “TaTaTa” Moliy, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea – “Shake It to the Max (Fly) (Remix)” Rema – “Baby (Is It a Crime)” Tems ft. Asake – “Get It Right” Tyla – “Push 2 Start” Wizkid ft. Brent Faiyaz – “Piece of My Heart”
Best Country Chris Stapleton – “Think I’m in Love With You” Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood – “I’m Gonna Love You” Jelly Roll – “Liar” Lainey Wilson – “4x4xU” Megan Moroney – “Am I Okay?” Morgan Wallen – “Smile”
Best Album Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos Kendrick Lamar – GNX Lady Gaga – Mayhem Morgan Wallen – I’m the Problem Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow
Best Long Form Video Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead” Bad Bunny – “Debí Tirar Más Fotos (Short Film)” Damiano David – “Funny Little Stories” Mac Miller – “Balloonerism” Miley Cyrus – “Something Beautiful” The Weeknd – “Hurry Up Tomorrow”
Video for Good Burna Boy – “Higher” Charli xcx – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” Doechii – “Anxiety” Eminem ft. Jelly Roll – “Somebody Save Me” Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco – “Younger and Hotter Than Me” Zach Hood ft. Sasha Alex Sloan – “Sleepwalking”
Best Direction Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead” Charli xcx – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” Rosé & Bruno Mars – “Apt.” Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
Best Art Direction Charli xcx – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” Lorde – “Man of the Year” Miley Cyrus – “End of the World” Rosé & Bruno Mars – “Apt.”
Best Cinematography Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead” Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” Miley Cyrus – “Easy Lover” Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
Best Editing Charli xcx – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild
Best Choreography Doechii – “Anxiety” FKA Twigs – “Eusexua” Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” Tyla – “Push 2 Start” Zara Larsson – “Pretty Ugly”
Best Visual Effects Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead” Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” Rosé & Bruno Mars – “Apt.” Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching (From F1 The Movie)” The Weeknd – “Hurry Up Tomorrow”
Song of the Summer Addison Rae – “Headphones On” Alex Warren – “Ordinary” Benson Boone – “Mystical Magical” BigXthaPlug & Bailey Zimmerman – “All the Way” Chappell Roan – “The Subway” Demi Lovato – “Fast” Doja Cat – “Jealous Type” Huntr/x – “Golden” Jessie Murph – “Blue Strips” Justin Bieber – “Daisies” Moliy, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea – “Shake It to the Max (Fly) (Remix)” Morgan Wallen & Tate McRae – “What I Want” Ravyn Lenae Featuring Rex Orange County – “Love Me Not” Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” Sombr – “12 to 12” Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching”
Best Group aespa All Time Low Backstreet Boys BLACKPINK Coldplay Evanescence Fuerza Regida Grupo Frontera Imagine Dragons Jonas Brothers KATSEYE My Chemical Romance SEVENTEEN Stray Kids The Marías Twenty One Pilots
Jack Osbourne kicked off the tribute with a message to the crowd on Sunday, September 7.
“I wish we could be there as you celebrate my dad’s amazing musical journey,” he said. “It would make him incredibly happy to see these great musicians carry on his legacy and help inspire the next generation of rockers.”
Aerosmith musicians Steven Tyler and Joe Perry took the stage alongside Yungblud (real name Dominic Harrison) and Nuno Bettencourt to perform a medley of Osbourne’s biggest hits.
Yungblud.ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images
Yungblud kicked off the performance with Ozzy’s iconic “Crazy Train” intro before putting his own spin on the iconic song. The singer kissed the cross around his neck, which had been gifted to him by Ozzy. He then went into “Changes,” which is a song Yungblud has been singing every night on tour since Ozzy’s death. (Yungblud formed a friendship with Ozzy after the late rocker appeared in his 2022 music video for “The Funeral.”)
Tyler and Perry then took the stage for “Mama, I’m Coming Home” before Yungblud joined them to finish the tune, which wrapped up the tribute.
“Ozzy forever,” Yungblud yelled as they finished the performance.
Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images
“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning,” Osbourne’s family said in a statement shared with Us on July 22. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family’s privacy at this time.”
The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards celebrates the year’s biggest artists and music videos, so of course they also delivered bold and unforgettable fashion moments. Some of Hollywood’s favorites attended the star-studded affair, which took place at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on Sunday, September 7. From Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift to […]
Ozzy is survived by his wife, Sharon Osbourne, his six children and his multiple grandchildren. The musician shared Aimee, Jack and Kelly with Sharon, 72, as well as Elliot, Louis and Jessica with ex-wife Thelma Riley.
Less than one week later, Sharon and Ozzy’s children united for a memorial service in Birmingham, England. He was later laid to rest on the grounds of the family’s English estate.
Ozzy Osbourne received the Global Icon Award during the MTV EMA’s 2014.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Jack, 39, eventually revealed the heartbreaking way he found out about his father’s passing.
“I woke up in Los Angeles to a knock at my house door, at around 3:45 in the morning. Someone who’s worked for my family for probably 30 years now was knocking on my door,” Jack said in a Thursday, September 4, YouTube video. “When I looked through my window and saw it was him, I just knew something bad had happened. I was informed that my father had passed. … Immediately, I don’t know, [I felt] pain. Sadness and pain. So many thoughts.”
He continued, “You go through this, of like, feeling sad and frustrated and angry. … But there was a level of like, ‘OK, he’s not suffering anymore, he’s not struggling,’ and that is something. I wish he was still here. I wish he was still with us all, but he was having a rough go, and I think people saw that at the show.”
Ozzy Osbourne sold more than 100 million records worldwide between his solo career and his days as a member of Black Sabbath prior to his death in 2025. The England native got his start in 1967 when he joined bassist Geezer Butler’s first band, Rare Breed, as a vocalist. Although the group didn’t last long, […]
Ozzy reunited with his former Black Sabbath bandmates for one final concert earlier in July to raise money for various charities, including Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorns Children’s Hospice.
“I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you,” Kelly, 40, said in a July 6 social media video. “Thank you to everyone who came to the show last night, [and] thank you to everybody who was involved in the show last night. You have no idea what it did for my dad.”
She concluded, “It was one of the most magical experiences of my entire life, and if I keep talking, I’m probably going to end up crying again. So, that’s all I’ll say for now.”
Lady Gaga’s anticipated performance at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards was tonight. In a pre-taped segment recorded at her Madison Square Garden concert last night (September 6), the pop star sang “Abracadabra” from her new album Mayhem and “The Dead Dance,” her new single for Netflix’s Wednesday. “The category is dance or die,” Gaga declared from atop the massive red ballgown that has become a staple of her Mayhem Ball tour. For “The Dead Dance,” she busted out some disco moves while dressed as a decrepit Little Bo-Peep. Watch a replay below.
With a total of 12 nods, Lady Gaga is the most nominated artist at tonight’s award show. She won Artist of the Year earlier in the evening, and is still up for Video of the Year for her Bruno Mars duet “Die With a Smile.”
Is Taylor Swift attending the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards?
E! News confirmed on September 5 that Swift will not be attending the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, where she’s nominated for Artist of the Year against performers like Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, and Morgan Wallen. The 2025 VMAs are set to be held at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on September 7, 2025.
While it hasn’t been confirmed, as of writing, why Swift will miss the VMAs, fans speculate that she’s skipping the event because she’ll be in Brazil for her fiancé Travis Kelce‘s first NFL game of the 2025-2026 season. Kelce’s team, the Kansas City Chiefs, for which he plays as a tight end, is set to compete against the Los Angeles Chargers at Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo. Karol G is set to perform the halftime show.
If Swift does win Artist of the Year at the 2025 VMAs, she’ll make history as the most awarded performer of all time with 31 awards. Both she and Beyonce are currently tied with 30 awards each.
Swift is also busy on both the personal and professional fronts. In August 2025, she announced her 12th album, The Life of a Showgirl, on Travis and his brother Jason Kelce’s podcast, “New Heights.” Swift also announced her engagement to Kelce in an Instagram post. “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married 🧨,” she captioned a series of photos from her and Kelce’s engagement.
“Taylor and Travis’ friends are thrilled for them, and a lot of them found out about the engagement right after it happened,” a source told People of Kelce and Swift’s engagement in September 2025. “Keeping it quiet wasn’t easy but now that it’s out, everyone’s just excited.”
The insider continued, “It has been a relief not having to keep it a secret anymore and they are glad it is out in the open. Both families are overjoyed. There were toasts, happy tears and everyone is thrilled for them. Friends have been stopping by and sending little gifts. It has all been intimate, nothing over the top.”
Another source told People in August 2025 that Swift and Kelce aren’t currently wedding planning. “Taylor and Travis have been in celebration mode ever since the engagement,” the source said. “They are not in the wedding planning phase yet.” The insider continued, “Right now they just want to enjoy being engaged and they are going to take their time with it. It has been a relief not having to keep it a secret anymore, and they are glad it is out in the open.”
Kelce’s dad, Ed Kelce, also detailed how the proposal happened in an interview on the radio show, “The Jimmy & Nath Show with Emma.” “They were going out to dinner and she was ready to go and he said, ‘Let’s go out in the garden on the patio and have a glass of wine before we go,’” he said. “I think she knew something was up because as they walked out there, she could see, suddenly, there were a lot more flowers out there.” He continued, “These are two young people madly in love with each other, and I think this is great.”
Lady Gaga is extending her dominance of this year’s MTV Video Music Awards and has been added as a performer, show organizers announced Saturday.Related video above: A flight delay, a jazz band and a viral momentThe Grammy-award winning musician leads this year’s VMA nominations with 12 nods, including artist of the year and best album for “Mayhem,” which was released earlier this year.Gaga has a long-standing history with the VMAs, with 57 total nominations throughout her career. Mother Monster, as she’s known, last took the stage in 2020, singing various hits from her album, “Chromatica,” including a performance of “Rain on Me” with Ariana Grande.She joins a slate of other seasoned VMAs performers confirmed for this year’s roster, including Doja Cat, who will give the first ever televised performance of her new single “Jealous Type.” Jelly Roll will also perform and is competing for the first time in four categories. Post Malone, a six-time VMA winner, is also set to take the stage.Pop singers Conan Gray and Tate McRae will each make their performance debut on the VMAs stage next month.Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s MTV VMAs.New awards honor Latin and Rap artistsThis year’s MTV Video Music Awards is shaking things up, handing out two new awards to decorated artists in the rap and Latin music genres.Rapper Busta Rhymes will receive the first ever MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award and Ricky Martin will be honored with the inaugural Latin Icon Award.The Rock the Bells Visionary Award celebrates the hip-hop star’s “boundary-breaking cultural impact and an indomitable musical career,” the announcement read. Rhymes, who has taken the VMAs stage various times since his first performance in 1997, will also perform during the ceremony.Martin, whose long VMAs history began with his first performance in 1999, will also perform and be honored for a “four-decade career that launched Latin music and culture into the mainstream,” according to the announcement.Who is performing at the VMAs?Gaga joins a growing list of confirmed performers for this year’s VMAs, including Gray, McRae, Jelly Roll, Doja Cat, Post Malone and more.Rhymes and Martin will both perform, as well as a slew of other artists, including Alex Warren, J Balvin, Sabrina Carpenter and sombr.Warren, who’s nominated for best new artist, best pop and song of the year, will take the VMA stage for the first time, performing his breakout hit, “Ordinary.” Newcomer sombr, a singer-songwriter and producer, will also be making his award show debut.Balvin will perform “Zun Zun” with Latin singers Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez, and “Noventa” with producer DJ Snake.Carpenter, who offered a debut performance at the VMAs last year, taking home song of the year, will return to perform “Manchild.”McRae is also up for four first-time nominations, including song of the year and best pop artist.When are the MTV Video Music Awards?The 2025 VMAs will air on Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. Eastern, live from the UBS Arena on New York’s Long Island.Who will host the VMAs?LL Cool J has snagged wins, co-hosted and performed atop the MTV Video Music Awards stage. Now, the Grammy-winning rapper-actor-author is going solo to host the 2025 awards ceremony.He’s retaking the stage, this time without Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow, with whom he co-hosted in 2022.He’s also up for the best hip-hop award for his single “Murdergram Deux” featuring Eminem. The single is part of his most recent album, “THE FORCE,” which released in September and was his first album in 11 years.LL Cool J is a longtime champion of the VMAs, having won his first Moon Person in 1991. He became the first rapper to receive the Video Vanguard Award, in 1997. He also performed in an all-star tribute to hip-hop’s 50th anniversary in 2023 and a celebration for Def Jam Records’ 40th anniversary last year.Can I stream the VMAs?Yes, the show will be broadcast by CBS for the first time, and also simulcast on MTV and available for streaming on Paramount+ in the United States.Who’s nominated for the VMAs?Gaga is leading this year’s awards with 12 nominations, including artist of the year. The “Mayhem” singer was nearly tied with Bruno Mars, who has 11 nods. The pair’s duet, “Die with a Smile,” is up for four awards, including song of the year.Gaga’s plethora of nominations dethrones Taylor Swift, who held the top spot for two years. This time around, Swift received one artist of the year nomination. The two are accompanied by Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Morgan Wallen and The Weeknd in that category.Gaga and Mars are followed by Lamar with 10 nominations, ROSÉ and Carpenter with eight each, Ariana Grande and The Weeknd with seven each and Billie Eilish with six.Charli XCX also received love with five nominations for her “Brat” Summer success “Guess,” featuring Eilish.Bad Bunny, Doechii, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Miley Cyrus and McRae have four nominations each.How can I vote for the VMAs?Fan voting across the 19 categories is live now on the VMAs website. Voting closes on Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. Eastern, except for the best new artist category, which will accept votes into the live show. The public can vote up to 10 times a day until voting closes.Who will receive the Video Vanguard Award?Mariah Carey will receive this year’s Video Vanguard Award.The award was given to Katy Perry last year. Previous recipients include Shakira, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj and Madonna.
LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Lady Gaga is extending her dominance of this year’s MTV Video Music Awards and has been added as a performer, show organizers announced Saturday.
Related video above: A flight delay, a jazz band and a viral moment
The Grammy-award winning musician leads this year’s VMA nominations with 12 nods, including artist of the year and best album for “Mayhem,” which was released earlier this year.
Gaga has a long-standing history with the VMAs, with 57 total nominations throughout her career. Mother Monster, as she’s known, last took the stage in 2020, singing various hits from her album, “Chromatica,” including a performance of “Rain on Me” with Ariana Grande.
She joins a slate of other seasoned VMAs performers confirmed for this year’s roster, including Doja Cat, who will give the first ever televised performance of her new single “Jealous Type.” Jelly Roll will also perform and is competing for the first time in four categories. Post Malone, a six-time VMA winner, is also set to take the stage.
Pop singers Conan Gray and Tate McRae will each make their performance debut on the VMAs stage next month.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s MTV VMAs.
New awards honor Latin and Rap artists
This year’s MTV Video Music Awards is shaking things up, handing out two new awards to decorated artists in the rap and Latin music genres.
Rapper Busta Rhymes will receive the first ever MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award and Ricky Martin will be honored with the inaugural Latin Icon Award.
The Rock the Bells Visionary Award celebrates the hip-hop star’s “boundary-breaking cultural impact and an indomitable musical career,” the announcement read. Rhymes, who has taken the VMAs stage various times since his first performance in 1997, will also perform during the ceremony.
Martin, whose long VMAs history began with his first performance in 1999, will also perform and be honored for a “four-decade career that launched Latin music and culture into the mainstream,” according to the announcement.
Who is performing at the VMAs?
Gaga joins a growing list of confirmed performers for this year’s VMAs, including Gray, McRae, Jelly Roll, Doja Cat, Post Malone and more.
Rhymes and Martin will both perform, as well as a slew of other artists, including Alex Warren, J Balvin, Sabrina Carpenter and sombr.
Warren, who’s nominated for best new artist, best pop and song of the year, will take the VMA stage for the first time, performing his breakout hit, “Ordinary.” Newcomer sombr, a singer-songwriter and producer, will also be making his award show debut.
Balvin will perform “Zun Zun” with Latin singers Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez, and “Noventa” with producer DJ Snake.
Carpenter, who offered a debut performance at the VMAs last year, taking home song of the year, will return to perform “Manchild.”
McRae is also up for four first-time nominations, including song of the year and best pop artist.
When are the MTV Video Music Awards?
The 2025 VMAs will air on Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. Eastern, live from the UBS Arena on New York’s Long Island.
Who will host the VMAs?
LL Cool J has snagged wins, co-hosted and performed atop the MTV Video Music Awards stage. Now, the Grammy-winning rapper-actor-author is going solo to host the 2025 awards ceremony.
He’s retaking the stage, this time without Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow, with whom he co-hosted in 2022.
He’s also up for the best hip-hop award for his single “Murdergram Deux” featuring Eminem. The single is part of his most recent album, “THE FORCE,” which released in September and was his first album in 11 years.
LL Cool J is a longtime champion of the VMAs, having won his first Moon Person in 1991. He became the first rapper to receive the Video Vanguard Award, in 1997. He also performed in an all-star tribute to hip-hop’s 50th anniversary in 2023 and a celebration for Def Jam Records’ 40th anniversary last year.
Can I stream the VMAs?
Yes, the show will be broadcast by CBS for the first time, and also simulcast on MTV and available for streaming on Paramount+ in the United States.
Who’s nominated for the VMAs?
Gaga is leading this year’s awards with 12 nominations, including artist of the year. The “Mayhem” singer was nearly tied with Bruno Mars, who has 11 nods. The pair’s duet, “Die with a Smile,” is up for four awards, including song of the year.
Gaga’s plethora of nominations dethrones Taylor Swift, who held the top spot for two years. This time around, Swift received one artist of the year nomination. The two are accompanied by Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Morgan Wallen and The Weeknd in that category.
Gaga and Mars are followed by Lamar with 10 nominations, ROSÉ and Carpenter with eight each, Ariana Grande and The Weeknd with seven each and Billie Eilish with six.
Charli XCX also received love with five nominations for her “Brat” Summer success “Guess,” featuring Eilish.
Bad Bunny, Doechii, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Miley Cyrus and McRae have four nominations each.
How can I vote for the VMAs?
Fan voting across the 19 categories is live now on the VMAs website. Voting closes on Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. Eastern, except for the best new artist category, which will accept votes into the live show. The public can vote up to 10 times a day until voting closes.
Who will receive the Video Vanguard Award?
Mariah Carey will receive this year’s Video Vanguard Award.
The award was given to Katy Perry last year. Previous recipients include Shakira, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj and Madonna.
MTV’s Video Music Awards used to mean something. They’d be riddled with scandal, big performances, and newsworthy moments throughout. Last year, they even gave me a glimmer of hope that maybe the VMA’s would once again become iconic. Last night, they proved otherwise.
Riddled with random performances, there were hardly any awards handed out on-stage last night. We only got a few words from Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Taylor Swift while the rest were quietly awarded off-camera. Lip-syncing left and right, an extra-long performance from Katy Perry, who was the recipient of the Vanguard Award, and random quips from host Megan Thee Stallion fell flat.
The VMA’s used to mean something. There once was drama, huge career-defining performances, and huge attendance from every artist in the industry. It was less formal than The Grammy’s, a little more MTV…raunchy, scandalous, and great television.
What happened to Taylor Swift doing a British accent in front of ex-boyfriend Harry Styles while singing “We Are Never (Ever) Getting Back Together?” Or Kanye West interrupting Swift as she accepted the award for Best Video? Or Miley Cyrus twerking with teddy bears and Robin Thicke?
Performances used to take our breath away: Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” changed lives, Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, and more have had massive moments at the VMA’s. This year, we saw terrific performances from the aforementioned Carpenter and Roan…but the rest I will soon forget.
What we wanted, however, was a jaw-dropping moment. And yes, I saw Sabrina Carpenter make out with the alien. I’m talking about a headline worthy moment, like Miley stripping her Disney princess status for edgy popstar or Kanye completely stealing Taylor’s moment.
Either way, I’m left yearning for drama. The VMA’s were never supposed to be taken seriously- they were meant to show which celebs hated each other, which wanted to ruin their careers, and which were just bystanders.
This year was an hours-long concert medley including the Sabrina-Shawn Mendes-Camila Cabello love triangle…and yet, the cameramen gave us no dramatic cuts to Shawn or Camila while Sabrina sang a song about them. See what I mean? Where’s the drama???
What made the VMA’s truly great was the fact that they weren’t trying to be serious. They let the artists get drunk and talk shit on one another, and that was okay. Now, we’ve lost the plot and it sadly shows.
“He’s the greatest,” Waterhouse, 32, told Access Hollywoodon the red carpet at the 2024 MTV Music Video Awards. The British singer said she was flying solo in New York Wednesday night while Pattinson, 38, was “on set” and their baby daughter stayed home.
“I’ve had the best day with her today and showing her around New York City is heaven,” Waterhouse shared, adding of new motherhood, “It’s the best. And it’s just getting more and more fun.”
Waterhouse and the Twilight star began dating in July 2018 after meeting at a game night in Los Angeles. Though Pattinson later revealed to GQ that the private pair had isolated together during the Covid pandemic, they didn’t make their official red-carpet debut until a Dior fall 2023 runway show in Egypt.
Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse have been dating on and off since July 2018, but it’s mostly been under the radar — or, perhaps, more accurately, right under our noses. The British pair are tight-lipped about their private life together and, according to Pattinson, that’s by choice. “If you let people in, it devalues what […]
The twosome welcomed their little one in March 2024, withholding details such as her name. Months later, Waterhouse and the baby graced the August 2024 cover of Vogue.
When Access Hollywood asked Waterhouse whether her daughter takes after her or Pattinson, she replied, “I don’t know. It’s just always changing. She has such a sweet nature. It’s really sweet to see.”
Professionally, Waterhouse is preparing for the release of her second studio album, Memoir of a Sparklemuffin, on Friday, September 13. She recently opened for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium in London, where she was born and raised.
“It was insane,” she said. “It was probably the coolest thing that I’ve ever got to do. And [in] my hometown [with] friends, family, everybody that I’ve grown up with — all in one place: Wembley. It was unbelievable.”
Getty Images (2) Suki Waterhouse has had her fair share of high-profile romances, but she finally found “pure love” with fiancé Robert Pattinson. After stepping into the Hollywood dating scene in 2011 with “Last Shadow Puppets” singer Miles Kane, Waterhouse grew up in the spotlight. She went on to have several relationships with sizable age […]
As for Swift, Waterhouse called her an “amazing friend” and “such a great time.”
She and Pattinson once went on a double date with Swift and her ex, Joe Alwyn, in 2019. An eyewitness at a restaurant in Hollywood had recalled to Us that the four “were laughing and talking” all night.
Two years later, Waterhouse slammed HBO Max’s Gossip Girl reboot for a joke about her relationship with Pattinson. “When are you going to get it? As far as the press is concerned, he’s R-Patz and you’re Suki Nobody,” one character said.
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“Seeing critiques of the patriarchy and sexism, then I get name-checked as somebody’s nobody girlfriend,” the Daisy Jones & The Six actress tweeted before deleting the message. “Make it make sense.”
In February 2023, Waterhouse reflected on feeling “kind of depressed” after a tough breakup — until she met Pattinson. “Oh God, what on earth will I write about now?” she teased of her music during an interview with the Sunday Times. “I’m always incredibly excited when I see his name pop up [on my phone] or even a text, and I think he feels the same about me. We’ve always got so much to say, and I find him hilarious. … I’m shocked that I’m so happy with someone for nearly five years.”
At the time, she hinted that she couldn’t “wait” to have children someday, adding, “I wish you could click your fingers to make it happen.”
Few artists are having a bigger year than Sabrina Carpenter, who won the MTV Video Music Award for song of the year for “Espresso.”
“This is really special,” she said in her speech, dedicated to her fans. “And thank you to that me-espresso.”
Earlier in the night, she brought her summery-pop to the award show, powering through her hit singles “Please Please Please,” “Taste” and “Espresso” while dancing with a moon man and an alien.
Sabrina Carpenter accepts the award for Song of the Year for “Espresso” from Miranda Lambert on stage during the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 11, 2024 in Elmont, New York.
Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for MTV
Taylor Swift and Post Malone took home the first award of the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards for best collaboration, handed to them by Flavor Flav and Olympian Jordan Chiles.
Swift started her speech by giving remembrance to everyone who lost their lives and loved ones during 9/11, 23 years ago, before discussing Malone.
“There is a reason Post Malone is everyone in music’s favorite person to collaborate with,” she shifted her attention to him. “It has taken forever for me to get him to stop calling me ma’am.”
Post Malone and Taylor Swift accept the Best Collaboration award for “Fortnight” on stage during the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 11, 2024 in Elmont, New York.
Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV
Women dominated the award show, no example greater than an imaginative, medieval set from Chappell Roan.
Drag queen Sasha Colby introduced her with “your favorite drag queen’s favorite artist,” a reference to Roan’s now famous Coachella performance, which in turn was inspired by Colby. Real fans no doubt got a kick out of the hyper-referential tidbit.
Roan appeared in armor, shooting a lit crossbow to castle gates that stood behind her, burning them in the process. Her dancers were knights, battling each other in incredible choreography as she sang her queer pop hit, “Good Luck, Babe.”
Chappell Roan performs on stage during the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 11, 2024 in Elmont, New York.
Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV
Tyla won the best Afrobeats award.
Katy Perry received the Video Vanguard Award, performing a eight-song medley spanning her career: “Roar,” “E.T.,” “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” “I Kissed a Girl,” “Firework,” “Lifetimes.”
“I did that all on the first day of my period, can you believe it?” she joked in her acceptance speech. “There are so many things that have to align to have a long and successful career as an artist. There are no decade long accidents.”
She also teased a new song, “I’m His, He’s Mine,” featuring Doechii, which samples the Crystal Waters classic, “Gypsy Woman (La Da Dee La Da Da).”
Previous recipients of the Video Vanguard Award include Shakira, Beyoncé, Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna and Missy Elliott.
An army of Slim Shady-lookalikes followed Eminem as he kicked off the VMAs , launching into a medley of his hits “Houdini” and “Somebody Save Me,” featuring a broadcast feed of Jelly Roll. (The song references Jelly Roll’s massive country radio hit, “Save Me.”)
Eminem performs on stage during the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 11, 2024 in Elmont, New York.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTV
Megan Thee Stallion welcomed the crowd as a first-time host Wednesday night, joking that the VMAs now stands for the “voluptuous Megan awards.” She later performed.
Earlier in the evening, Karol G took over, for a fiery performance of her hit, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido.” Rauw Alejandro brought Puerto Rico to the stage, running through “Touching The Sky,” “DILUIVO” and “Déjame Entrar.”
Halsey took it to the suburbs for her new single, “Ego,” channeling garage bands.
Blackpink’s LISA made her way to the VMA stage for the first time as a soloist, powering through two of her brand-new singles, “New Woman” and “Rockstar.” Shawn Mendes made along-awaited return, debuting a new John Mayer-esq. acoustic number, “Nobody Knows.”
Anitta performed “Paradise,” “Alegria,” and “Savage Funk,” joined by DJ Khaled, Fat Joe and Tiago PZK. Benson Boone seemed as stoked as ever to perform his viral hit “Beautiful Things” on the VMAs stage.
The 40th VMAs are being held at the UBS Arena on New York’s Long Island.
The night is stacked celebrities and promises a lot more Swift, who arrived at the award show wearing a green tartan corset with a matching train and long black leather gloves.
The pop star leads the nominations with 12 — eight for her “Fortnight” music video, two social categories and nods in the best pop and artist of the year categories. She’s followed by her “Fortnight” collaborator Post Malone, who has 11. He is nominated along with Swift 10 times and earned his 11th nom for his country hit “I Had Some Help,” featuring Morgan Wallen.
More wins could give Swift a prominent stage to voice support for Kamala Harris’ presidential bid. Swift endorsed the vice president Tuesday night, moments after Harris’ debate with former president Donald Trump ended.
Shaboozey reacted to Swift’s endorsement on the VMAs red carpet, telling The Associated Press, “I think you just do you, you know? Do what you’re feel in your heart. Just be honest with yourself,” he said. “Just walking your truth, you know.”
If prior years are any indication, Swift may make multiple speeches.
She took home nine VMAs last year, bringing her total to an impressive 23. That places her just behind Beyoncé, who has 30 and just ahead of Madonna, who has 20 awards. Lady Gaga, has 19.
Seven Swift wins would tie Beyoncé’s record, and if she wins eight, she could become the most awarded musician in VMA history.
That is, if Beyoncé doesn’t take home any of her own trophies. She’s up for song of the year (“Texas Hold ‘Em”) and two social categories.
Throughout the night, MTV flashed back to history-making across the VMAs’ 40-year-run, including Britney Spears’ albino python and Madonna’s performance of “Like A Virgin.”
Other scheduled performers include GloRilla, Halsey, Lenny Kravitz, LL COOL J and Camila Cabello.
The VMAs are airing on MTV and simulcast on BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Nick at Nite, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land, VH1, and in Spanish on Univision.
Halsey was looking red-hot on the black carpet at the 2024 MTV VMAs!
“Extra’s” Mona Kosar Abdi spoke with Halsey, who recently sampled Britney Spears on her song “Lucky.”
She commented, “I’ve been literally living my childhood dream the past few months, like, ever since it happened.”
The song is off her upcoming fifth album, “The Great Impersonator.” She teased, “It’s sort of like an exploration about what it would be like if I were a musician in the ’70s, the ’80s, and ’90s.”
Halsey also confessed to some nerves leading up to her VMA performance, which will include some surprise guests!
She explained, “I’m taking it kind of back to basics, which is really exciting. I’m doing something that really reminds me of why I started making music to begin with and I’m bringing some special guests.”
For someone who considered themselves plugged in and aware of music and pop culture happenings (it’s literally my job, considering where you are reading this), I was surprised to see my feed blowing up last night with content from the VMA red carpet.
My instant reaction: Wait… it’s the VMAs tonight? My second thought: Are the VMAs still a thing?
But for the past few years, the VMAs have happened not with a bang but with a whimper. Maybe it’s because COVID took the ceremony online and they, like most award shows, haven’t fully recovered.
But this year, the VMAs have solidified themselves as the award show to watch again. Despite meager attendance and lackluster performances in years past, this year’s event brought its best. All the big names showed up in their award show best: Taylor Swift,Selena Gomez, and even a mini-reunion of NSYNC. The affair was star-studded, the fashion rivaled the Met Gala, and the entertainment was top-tier.
If you missed it — like I almost did — here’s what happened at the 2023 MTV VMAs:
Who performed at the 2023 VMAs?
Like VMA shows of yore, this year’s performances were some for the books. All the hottest acts played all their best songs with all the works — from stunning choreo to studded gowns.
Lil Wayne: The rapper opened the show with “Uproar” and “Kat Food.”
Olivia Rodrigo: Fresh off the release of her new album, GUTS, Rodrigo gave an all-American performance. She performed her new songs “Vampire” and“Get Him Back!”
Shakira: After winning the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, Shakira performed her hit song about her ex, soccer player Gerard Pique, “BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 53” as well as hits like “She Wolf” and “Objection.”
Demi Lovato: Going back to her rock roots — who can forget her angsty Disney Channel days — Demi performed rock renditions of hits like“Heart Attack,” “Sorry Not Sorry,” and “Cool for the Summer.”
Fall Out Boy: Their rendition of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” was nostalgia personified.
Nicki Minaj: It’s the summer of Barbie, and with a new Nicki album coming in November, it’s bound to be the fall of Barbz. Nicki gave us a sneak peek of an upcoming song, “Last Time I Saw You.”
Tomorrow X Together and Anitta: This eclectic pairing collaborated on their new song “Back for More.”
Anitta: Anitta’s solo performance was a sensual medley of songs from “Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story.”
Kelsea Ballerini: The VMA newcomer made some eyes well up with her piano rendition of “Penthouse (Healed Version).”
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs: After receiving the Global Icon Award, Diddy proved just why his legacy in music is so enduring with a medley of his greatest hits, including songs like “I’ll Be Missing You” as a tribute to Notorious B.I.G. — especially powerful on the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion: This one is for the hot girls. “Bongos” has never sounded better.
Måneskin: Goth is back and Måneskin are the proof. Their rendition of “Honey (Are U Coming?)” made me want to mosh.
Karol G: The Spanish-singing powerhouse performed “Oki Doki” and “Tá OK (Remix),” proving why she has the first No. 1 Spanish album by a female artist.
Doja Cat: Queen of weird, Doja wowed with “Attention,” “Paint the Town Red,” and “Demons.”
Stray Kids: This K-Pop band stunned with their genre-defying performance of “S-Class,” and “5-Star.”
Peso Pluma: This captivating performance of “Lady Gaga” and “Genesis” upped the cool factor of the show.
Metro Boomin’, Future, Swae Lee, NAV, and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie: This eclectic group performed “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)” and“Calling.”
50th anniversary of hip-hop: Tribute performances are usually pretty lackluster but it was iconic to see Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Doug E. Fresh, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, LL Cool J and Darryl “DMC” Simmons of Run-DMC.
Who won at the 2023 VMAs?
Mostly, Taylor Swift. But here were the rest of the winners:
VIDEO OF THE YEAR: Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”
ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Taylor Swift
SONG OF THE YEAR: Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”
BEST NEW ARTIST: Ice Spice
SHOW OF THE SUMMER (Social Category): Taylor Swift
GROUP OF THE YEAR (Social Category): BLACKPINK
SONG OF THE SUMMER (Social Category): Jung Kook ft. Latto – “Seven”
ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Social Category): Taylor Swift – Midnights
PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR: April 2023: TOMORROW X TOGETHER – “Sugar Rush Ride”
BEST COLLABORATION: KAROL G, Shakira – “TQG”
BEST POP: Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”
BEST HIP-HOP: Nicki Minaj – “Super Freaky Girl”
BEST R&B: SZA – “Shirt”
BEST ALTERNATIVE: Lana Del Rey ft. Jon Batiste – “Candy Necklace”
BEST ROCK: Måneskin – “THE LONELIEST”
BEST LATIN: Anitta – “Funk Rave”
BEST K-POP: Stray Kids – “S-Class”
BEST AFROBEATS: Rema & Selena Gomez – “Calm Down”
VIDEO FOR GOOD: Dove Cameron – “Breakfast”
BEST DIRECTION: Taylor Swift — “Anti-Hero” — Directed by Taylor Swift
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Taylor Swift — “Anti-Hero” — Cinematography by Rina Yang
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: Taylor Swift — “Anti-Hero” — Visual Effects by Parliament
BEST CHOREOGRAPH: BLACKPINK — “Pink Venom” — Choreography by Kiel Tutin, Sienna Lalau, Lee Jung (YGX), Taryn Cheng (YGX)
BEST ART DIRECTION: Doja Cat — “Attention” — Art Direction by Spencer Graves
BEST EDITING: Olivia Rodrigo — “vampire” — Edited by Sofia Kerpan and David Checel
Ten years ago, at the MTV Video Music Awards, Miley Cyrus, then just 20 years old, twerked onstage, to the dismay of many, in a latex bikini alongside Robin Thicke as her anthemic “We Can’t Stop” transitioned into his controversial “Blurred Lines.” It was a career-defining moment for Cyrus, trading in her Mickey Mouse ears for space buns. A decade later, it’s a part of pop culture history.
The VMA stage has always been home to infamous moments like this, giving performers a platform to take risks. It’s where Britney Spears (19 years old at the time) draped a python over her arms to sing “I’m a Slave 4 U” and where Madonna performed, at the first-ever VMAs almost 40 years ago, her sacrilegious mega-hit “Like a Virgin,” popping out of a cake in a less-than-traditional wedding dress. It’s also where, 20 years ago, those two pop icons, with Christina Aguilera in tow, locked lips, inciting a good old-fashioned moral panic.
At the VMAs, the stakes are decidedly lower than that of the Grammys, where the Recording Academy votes on who will take home the prestigious award. Here, the winners are determined by rabid fandoms, and the award itself is shaped like an astronaut landing on the moon, a reference to the first clip MTV ever aired back in 1981. An event where celebs are known for going off script, it’s where stars let their hair down and slip into something more comfortable, like a meat dress, or into an unscripted rant about how Beyoncé actually had the best music video of the year, or that “the world is bullshit.” In 2013, MTV cofounder Tom Freston, spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the origins of the award show: “We just got picked up in New York, and it seemed like a good time to have a party. Then the idea became: Have a party, but somehow do it so we legitimize the video music form.” Like most teens and young adults in their demographic, they also just needed an excuse to party and, if you had cable, you were invited.
Over the years, the red carpet alone has inspired instantly recognizable Halloween costumes. But looking back at the most recent few years, few looks and watercooler moments come to mind. Even at Tuesday’s show, there was lots of applause but little to no laughter or surprises, due, in part, to the absence of a host to provide comedic relief. Presenters stick to their lines, and performances go according to plan. Though viewership of last year’s show reached 3.9 million, after years of declining ratings, it might have been audiences tuning in for the hope of it all, just in case Taylor Swift announced her studio album, Midnights, while accepting her award for video of the year, which, of course, she did. And, yes, there have been some great performances by boundary-pushing artists like Lil Nas X and Doja Cat. But each year, the sense that the VMAs are a relic of a bygone era of uncensored celebrity comes creeping back in.
This year, due to the union strikes, stars have been cooped at home, all dressed up with nowhere to go and nothing to promote. But on Tuesday, chart-topping musicians like Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez,Ice Spice,Karol G,Peso Pluma,Lil Wayne,Cardi B, and many more descended upon the pink carpet at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. All together in one room for “Music’s Most Iconic Night,” a sentiment that was plastered on pink posters across the venue.
At the top of the show, VMA winner and emcee for the night, Nicki Minaj, referenced a network concern (remember “what’s good, Miley?”) without naming what exactly it was. “It’s okay, MTV, I can control myself,” said the “Super Freaky Girl” rapper. “Because if you can’t control yourself, you can’t control anything around you.” This sentiment set the tone for the evening, which went off without a hitch, a well-oiled machine where everyone played nice. Something like an A-List talent show where Taylor Swift, who had a camera devoted to capturing her reactions nearly all night, is your biggest fan.
Selena Gomez has been in the public eye since 2002, when she was a teeny-tiny “and Friends” on Barney and Friends. She later starred on the Disney Channel show The Wizards of Waverly Place, beginning in 2007. And, like magic, she seems to have managed to have made it through the last two decades-plus with her sense of humor intact. Case in point: A photo she posted of herself and pal Taylor Swift at Tuesday’s MTV Video Music Awards.
“She looks stunning, I look constipated,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories alongside a photo of the two smiling at each other. “Typical.”
Granted, Gomez, who took home the Moonman for Best Afrobeats for “Calm Down,” her collaboration with Rema, does sport the “smiling at my friend” equivalent of being caught mid-sneeze in the shot, sure. But it’s a cute mid-sneeze, made all the cuter by her self-deprecation.
Swift, who swept the awards and took eight of the 10 categories her work was nominated in, including Artist of the Year, Video of the Year, and Song of the Year (seems like “Anti-Hero” turned her into a hero after all), was visibly delighted for Gomez during the awards, blowing kisses when her friend took the stage to accept her own statue.
Gomez also seemed to take a stance on her Instagram Stories Tuesday night, sprinkling in a text-only slide amid the celebrations of her win and constipation face: “I will never be a meme again,” she posted. “I’d rather sit still than be dragged for being myself. Much love.”
Gomez has been keeping busy in various arenas, starring in the third season of Only Murders in the Building on Hulu, as well as releasing her new single, “Single Soon.” It’s a wonder she even has time to make jokes about her own facial expressions.
