The song the world couldn’t stop humming just became a career-defining milestone for one of K-pop’s brightest stars. BLACKPINK’s ROSÉ officially took home her first-ever Moon Person as a solo artist at the 2025 MTV VMAs tonight (September 7), winning Song of the Year for her chart-topping collab “APT” with Bruno Mars.
Walking into the night as an eight-time nominee, Rosé was already one of the evening’s most-buzzed-about artists, but it was this win that cemented her breakthrough moment. While Mars wasn’t in attendance, Rosé held it down for the duo, hitting the stage in a butter yellow, sequined Oscar de la Renta gown that had social media in shambles. Paris Hilton presented the award, but it was Rosé’s raw, handwritten speech that stole the spotlight.
“I dedicate this award to my 16-year-old self, who dreamed, and to all those who have watched me grow into the artist that I am today,” she said through tears, pausing to thank Mars, her BLACKPINK sisters Jennie, Jisoo, and Lisa, her family, her team, and BLINKs worldwide. In one of the night’s most vulnerable moments, she also gave herself credit — a reminder that even global superstars are still learning how to celebrate their own resilience. “And always remember, you’ve got you.”
The emotional speech instantly went viral, with fans calling it one of the most powerful moments in VMA history. From handwritten notes to shaky-voiced gratitude, the moment felt like watching Rosé’s private diary spill onto an international stage.
It’s no shock that “APT” snagged one of the top prizes — the Bruno Mars collaboration has dominated global charts since release, streaming on repeat across TikTok and Spotify alike. The track was also nominated in six other major categories, including Video of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Best Pop. Meanwhile, Rosé’s solo single “toxic till the end” scored a Best K-Pop nod, proving her star power shines whether she’s with BLACKPINK or standing solo.
Rosé closed the night promising to FaceTime Bruno Mars the moment she left the stage — but not before making sure the world heard her message of grit and gratitude. For fans, this wasn’t just a trophy win — it was a reminder that dreams, discipline, and a little self-love can turn even the “odd one out” into a history-making global icon.
With BLACKPINK currently on tour through October, Rosé’s victory only adds more sparkle to what’s already shaping up to be a legendary year. And if this is just the beginning of her solo VMA era, BLINKs better get ready — Rosé isn’t just painting the town pink anymore; she’s rewriting the story in gold.
