Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga set the tone at the MTV Video Music Awards<\/a> on Sunday night with career-defining moments<\/a> of their own.<\/p>\n Grande scored two honors \u2014 video of the year and best pop video \u2014 and had the audience buzzing when she thanked her \u201ctherapists and gay people\u201d during her acceptance speech.<\/p>\n Gaga, the night\u2019s top nominee, kicked things off by winning artist of the year before later delivering on her promise to perform. She hit the stage at Madison Square Garden after her acceptance speech, which sent the audience into a frenzy at the UBS Arena where the VMAs were being held.<\/p>\n In her earlier remarks, Gaga<\/a> stressed the deeper meaning of artistry.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing an artist is an attempt to connect the souls of people all over the world,\u201d said Gaga, who performed \u201cAbracadabra\u201d and \u201cThe Dead Dance,\u201d a single from the Netflix series \u201cWednesday.\u201d \u201cBeing an artist is a discipline and craft into reaching someone\u2019s heart where it grows its roots, reminding them to dream. Being an artist is a responsibility to smile, dance, cry.\u201d<\/p>\n She dedicated the award to her fans and paid homage to her fiance, Michael Polansky, who co-executive produced her latest album, \u201cMayhem.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cCreating with you has been a beautiful thing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Mariah Carey basked in the love of her fans and reflected on her storied career as she accepted the Video Vanguard Award. Grande presented the honor with a heartfelt tribute, calling Carey \u201cthe soundtrack of our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n Grande then added \u201cAs a vocalist, there\u2019s only one queen. And that\u2019s Mariah.\u201d<\/p>\n While taking the stage in a satin gold robe that gave way to a glittering bodysuit and matching heels, Carey delivered a career-spanning medley of hits from \u201cFantasy\u201d to \u201cWe Belong Together\u201d to \u201cObsessed.\u201d The performance also spotlighted tracks from her landmark 10th album, \u201cThe Emancipation of Mimi,\u201d which recently turned 20.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t believe I\u2019m getting my first VMA tonight,\u201d Carey said before she jokingly asked. \u201cI have one question: What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for? I\u2019m just kidding. Thank you. I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n The late Ozzy Osbourne<\/a> was celebrated in fitting fashion when some of rock\u2019s biggest names took the stage in his honor. Aerosmith\u2019s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, British firebrand YUNGBLUD and Nuno Bettencourt united to deliver a medley of Osbourne\u2019s greatest hits including \u201cCrazy Train,\u201d \u201cChanges\u201d and \u201cMama, I\u2019m Coming Home.\u201d<\/p>\n Osbourne\u2019s son, Jack and several of his children, shared a video message to viewers about the beloved musician.<\/p>\n \u201cI know for sure it would make him incredibly happy to see these great musicians carry on his legacy and help inspire the next generation of rockers,\u201d Jack Osbourne said.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the words of our papa, \u2018Let\u2019s go crazy,\u2019\u201d Ozzy Osbourne\u2019s grandkids added, referring to his popular song \u201cCrazy Train.\u201d<\/p>\n Osbourne became a household name on MTV \u2014 also the home of the VMAs \u2014 with his family\u2019s hit reality series \u201cThe Osbournes,\u201d which ran from 2002 to 2005. That same year, the Prince of Darkness cemented his legacy with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.<\/p>\n As the tribute ended, the performers yelled \u201cOzzy forever, man!\u201d<\/p>\n Busta Rhymes<\/a> was honored with the first ever MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award during the show and performed several of his hits including \u201cGimme Some More,\u201d \u201cScenario,\u201d \u201cPut Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See\u201d and \u201cPass the Courvoisier, Part II.\u201d He was also joined by Joyner Lucas, Papoose and GloRilla as they helped perform the songs with him.<\/p>\n During his speech, Rhymes paid tribute to the late Ananda Lewis, the former MTV and BET host<\/a> who became a beloved television personality in the 1990s with her warmth and authenticity.<\/p>\n \u201cAn incredible woman that loved me and she loved us,\u201d he said of Lewis, who died in June after being diagnosed with breast cancer. \u201cShe loved the culture very much. I miss her very much. The late, great, incredible Royal Empress, Ananda Lewis.\u201d<\/p>\n Ricky Martin<\/a> received the first-ever Latin Icon Award following an electric performance on the main stage. He spoke about his 40-year career in music, dedicating the award to his four kids.<\/p>\n Martin\u2019s set served as an anniversary tribute coming 25 years after his breakout VMAs debut in 1999, when he made history as the first male Latin artist to win best pop video.<\/p>\n \u201cI started when I was a baby working and we\u2019re still here,\u201d he marveled, adding: \u201cWe just want to unite countries, we just want to break boundaries, and we just want to keep music alive.\u201d<\/p>\n The VMAs, hosted by LL Cool J, kicked off with a freewheeling spirit. During Cool J\u2019s opening monologue, a video of Doja Cat mimicking \u201980s MTV personality Max Headroom interrupted him. Her message transitioned seamlessly into a performance that kicked off with a solo by Kenny G.<\/p>\n Doja Cat, who was seen casually chewing on her lipstick<\/a> on the red carpet, pranced across the stage performing \u201cJealous Type\u201d to raucous applause.<\/p>\n Going into the show, history was on the line with Taylor Swift and Beyonc\u00e9 vying to become the most awarded artist in VMAs history. Each have 30 and were only nominated in the artist of the year category, so Gaga\u2019s win will leave them tied for another year.<\/p>\n Other performers included Conan Gray, Tate McRae, Jelly Roll, Post Malone, Alex Warren, J Balvin, Sabrina Carpenter and sombr.<\/p>\n The 2025 MTV VMAs was broadcast by CBS for the first time<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement<\/a> and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and\/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nTributes to Mariah Carey and Ozzy Osbourne<\/h4>\n
Busta Rhymes and Ricky Martin shout out MTV history<\/h4>\n
![\"2025](\"https:\/\/www.syracuse.com\/resizer\/v2\/XCR36MOWB5BAXHIQXDYF4SELGY.jpg?auth=034372cd1b411b27b032eb68e9a3e8203546b0e388790e8e38315235c2286581&width=1280&quality=90\")
<\/picture>Doja Cat kicks off energetic VMAs<\/h4>\n