The VMAs are back, baby — and this year’s first wave of performers and honorees prove that MTV is pulling out all the stops for music’s messiest, most magical night. ✨
So, who’s hitting the stage first? None other than Alex Warren, Busta Rhymes, J Balvin ft. DJ Snake, Ricky Martin, Sabrina Carpenter, and sombr. From boundary-breaking legends to fresh chart-toppers, this lineup is already screaming “must-watch.”
According to a press release, Alex Warren is making his VMAs debut (and honestly, what a glow-up). The MTV PUSH artist is not only set to perform his record-shattering hit “Ordinary” live, but he’s also chasing his first Moon Person with nominations for Best New Artist, Best Pop, and Song of the Year; Busta Rhymes is taking home the first-ever Rock the Bells Visionary Award, cementing his impact as one of hip-hop’s most unstoppable forces with 20 million albums, 12 GRAMMY® noms, and more platinum plaques than we can count — talk about legendary.
J Balvin is back with a bang, bringing “Zun Zun” with Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez before teaming up with DJ Snake for the live premiere of their explosive collab “Noventa.” Fun fact: if Balvin wins this year, he’ll become the most-awarded Latin artist in VMA history. Ricky Martin is also making VMAs history as the first-ever recipient of the Latin Icon Award. From “Livin’ La Vida Loca” to global humanitarian work, Ricky’s four-decade reign is unmatched. His return also marks 26 years since he first made waves at the VMAs in 1999, where he left with five trophies.
Sabrina Carpenter is back to collect her things (aka, more Moon People). After winning Song of the Year in 2024, the Man’s Best Friend hitmaker is up for EIGHT awards this year — including Video of the Year for “Manchild.” And last but not least, sombr is bringing the alt energy, making his first-ever award show performance while also scoring noms for Best New Artist and Best Alternative with his viral hit “back to friends.”
Earlier this month, MTV revealed the nominees across 19-gender-neutral categories, and to no surprise,Lady Gaga leads the pack with a whopping twelve nominations at this year’s show, where she will be looking to add to her 18 VMAs wins with nominations in Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Best Album and more. This marks the third time Gaga has led nominations, previously in 2010 (13 nods) and 2020 (tied with 9 nods).
Fns can vote for their favorites by visiting vote.mtv.com through September 5th @ 6PM ET; voting for “Best New Artist” will remain active into show on Sunday, September 10th.
Hosted by LL Cool J, the 2025 MTV VMAs air LIVE from the UBS Arena in New York on Sunday, September 7th @ 8PM ET/5PM PT on the CBS Television Network, simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S.
