The MTV VMAs are back and they’re messier, glitzier, and more internet-breaking than ever. This year’s nominations? A chaotic cocktail of legacy icons, solo glow-ups, genre glitches, and some very pointed snubs (BTS fans, we see you).
Topping the nomination throne is Lady Gaga, who just pulled off a dozen nods like it’s 2010 again (Mother never left). But don’t get too comfy, K‑Pop’s golden girl Rosé is right behind her, rewriting the rules for soloists and smashing through VMA ceilings in Saint Laurent heels.
From fan vote feuds to shiny new categories (Best Pop Artist, anyone?), here’s your 2025 VMA cheat sheet, Pinksoop style.
Gaga, Queen of the MTV VMA Moonmen (Again)
Someone check the VMA archive Lady Gaga is once again dominating the nomination board with 12 nods, including the holy trinity: Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year.
This marks her third time as the most-nominated artist in a single VMA cycle, tying with Beyoncé and making it clear: this era isn’t nostalgia, it’s evolution. She’s also racking up nominations in technical categories, proving no one does visuals and vocals like Mother Monster. There is absolutely no denying her talent or commitment to this industry, and she deserves all of the awards.
At this point, just hand her a custom chrome throne and rename the Moonman to The Gagabot.
Rosé Is Coming for That Crown (Solo & Shimmery)
K‑pop stans, your patience has been rewarded. Rosé has officially become the first solo K‑pop artist to rack up 8 VMA nominations. This is a record-shattering feat that places her right beside the global giants.
From Best K‑Pop to Best Pop Artist, Rosé’s range is undeniable. And yes, the rest of BLACKPINK are out here doing solo bits too. Jisoo, Jennie, and Lisa all have noms in their own right. We’re eager to find out who might take this one.
But not everyone’s clapping. The noticeable absence of Jin and J-Hope has sparked BTS Army outrage, with fan forums flooding with calls for transparency. We need to know!
MTV VMA New Categories
The VMAs have added two new categories to this year’s lineup: Best Pop Artist and Best Country. We might see various artists crossing over into multiple categories. This is going to be an interesting year.
Sabrina Carpenter, Miley Cyrus, Charli XCX, and Ariana Grande are about to throw glitter bombs in the same ring.
Meanwhile, the genre blur is real: artists like Bruno Mars and Kendrick Lamar are pulling triple-duty across hip-hop, R&B, and pop-adjacent categories.
The MTV VMAs Big 3: Best Artist, Best Video and Best Song
Ariana, Billie, Kendrick, Bruno, and Sabrina are all in the mix for Artist of the Year.
While Video of the Year nominees lean heavily visual (think Gaga’s opera-glam masterpiece vs. Kendrick’s cinematic chaos).
And in Song of the Year? Expect a Taylor vs. Beyoncé showdown for legacy points—because apparently 2025 is still running on Swiftie vs. Hive energy. Who wins? That’s for the Moonman to decide.
Tech Girlies Get Their Moment
From Best Choreography to Best Visual Effects, the 2025 VMA technical nominations are giving a film-school final project, but in designer heels. Gaga, Rosé, and Kendrick dominate here too. Shoutout to the editors, stylists, art directors, and dancers who turned vibes into visual feasts.
MTV VMAs 2025: Artists by number of nominations
| Artist 🎤 | Number of Nominations ✨ |
|---|---|
| Lady Gaga | 12 |
| Bruno Mars | 11 |
| Kendrick Lamar | 10 |
| Rosé | 8 |
| Sabrina Carpenter | 8 |
| Ariana Grande | 7 |
| The Weeknd | 7 |
| Billie Eilish | 6 |
| Charli XCX | 5 |
| Bad Bunny | 4 |
| Doechii | 4 |
| Ed Sheeran | 4 |
| Jelly Roll | 4 |
| Miley Cyrus | 4 |
| Tate McRae | 4 |
From Gaga’s glittering dozen to Rosé’s record-making run, this year’s VMAs are shaping up to be a full-blown main character moment for pop’s finest and a battlefield for fanbases everywhere.
Whether you’re manifesting wins, mourning snubs, or just here for the memes, one thing’s for sure: the 2025 VMAs are already giving plot.
📅 Mark your calendars, charge your phones, and prep your reaction GIFs because this show? It’s about to Vibe More Aggressively than ever.
Signed, sealed, Pinksooped 💅
