The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) once again proved why it’s one of the most anticipated nights in music.
As every year has proven, the VMA stage has long been the birthplace of pop culture-defining moments. Year after year, fans and artists alike look forward to the live performances from industry staples and rising stars, with each act raising the bar with bold creativity, show-stopping visuals, and unforgettable energy.
This year was no different. Held at the UBS Arena in New York City, the 2025 VMAs delivered a lineup packed with powerhouse performances from several renowned artists and icons such as Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, Post Malone, Sabrina Carpenter, and Doja Cat, alongside breakout acts like KATSEYE, Sombr, Alex Warren, Megan Maroney, and more. Whether it was because of various genre-bending visuals, meaningful tributes, or fierce choreography, this year’s festivities definitely marked a show to remember.
As always, Billboard Philippines has rounded up eight of the night’s standout moments, noting the ones that not only shook the stage, but could also one day be etched into the VMA hall of fame.
Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Protect Trans Rights’ Tribute
Sabrina Carpenter has already established herself as quite the showwoman — whether it’s what we’ve seen from her memorable 2024 VMAs performance, or even the viral video clips from her groundbreaking Short n’ Sweet World Tour.
Yet this year, the tiny yet mighty pop star gave audiences a spectacular showcase of her talents with her performance of “Tears” from her newly released record Man’s Best Friend, making it as meaningful as it was entertaining. Through enlisting the help of several drag queens and transgender individuals, Carpenter turned the stage into one massive and glorious tribute to the dolls of the world, with the signage of ‘Protect Trans Rights’ perfectly clear on display to both the live audience and the millions watching the broadcast globally.
Given today’s political climate (especially in the United States), what Carpenter has advocated through her performance is important and quite refreshing to witness, especially from one of the music scene’s biggest stars of the moment. It’s undeniably solidified her place not only as a fantastic performer in VMAs history yet again, but has also proven that such platforms can be used to amplify (and seamlessly integrate) more significant messaging into their art.
Tate McRae’s Gymnastic Performance of “revolving door” and “sports car”
Tate McRae has been well deserving of the main pop girl title for quite some time, yet her impressive medley of her hit singles “revolving door” and “sports car” has proven to the world that her talent warrants more attention than what we’ve given her.
The Canadian pop sensation’s live performance showcased an excellent demonstration of her ability to deliver live vocals amidst choreography-heavy routines, particularly in how her vocal riffs and ad libs emphasized that the microphone was on the whole time. Her presence was magnetic, and every move felt deeply intentional, reflecting the song’s themes of heartbreak and emotional turbulence.
The slick staging, lighting, and use of sand on stage further amplified the drama, elevating her from rising star to a pop powerhouse deserving of headliner status — especially with just how memorable that dance break was.
YUNGBLUD, Steven Tyler, and Joe Perry Tribute To The Late Ozzy Osbourne
While the late frontman of Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, may be missed, his presence was surely felt at this year’s VMA festivities given YUNGBLUD, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, and Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt’s tribute to his legacy.
This particular tribute, which consisted of a medley of Ozzy classics “Crazy Train,” “Changes,” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” felt like more than just a performance, as it symbolized both a passing of the torch and a powerful salute to rock history. YUNGBLUD’s punk-infused edge brought youthful urgency, while Tyler and Perry brought the grit and gravitas that only legends can offer. Together, they channeled Ozzy’s rebellious spirit in a way that felt celebratory, not mournful.
The chemistry between all four artists was undeniably electric, and the performance balanced raw emotion with showmanship, making it one of the most unforgettable and heartfelt moments of the night.
Lady Gaga’s Haunting Performance of “Abracadabra” and “The Dead Dance
Like her MAYHEM concerts, Lady Gaga’s performance at the 2025 VMAs was nothing short of a gothic opera.
Beginning with the haunting “Abracadabra,” she emerged in surreal, witch-like fashion, setting a spine-chilling tone. The transition into “The Dead Dance” (her latest single from the Netflix original series Wednesday) also served as a masterclass in theatrical storytelling, balancing equal parts horror and elegance. The use of gorgeous costume design, minimalist stage lighting, eerie silhouettes, and ritualistic choreography created an immersive world that only Gaga could build.
Her vocals, which were dark and restrained at times and explosive at others, underscored the emotional complexity of the performance. It felt like a performance meant for the stage and the screen — delivering pure avant-garde pop that felt at home at the VMAs stage.
Doja Cat’s Live Debut of “Jealous Type”
Doja Cat is no stranger to knowing how to make a statement, and the live debut of “Jealous Type” was exactly that (and perhaps more!)
From the moment she appeared, Doja’s energy was undeniable — filled with the cheeky confidence and fierce choreography that she’s become renowned for over the years. The stage design, infused with ’80s retro-glam visuals, vibrant colors, and a guest appearance from Kenny G, was as playful as the song itself. Vocally, she balanced rap-inflected verses with silky melodies, all while dancing with ease.
With what we witnessed, it was clearly a cementation of her place in pop-rap royalty, showing her continuous evolution as both a performer and cultural tastemaker, while simultaneously hyping us up further for the release of her upcoming studio album, Vie.
KATSEYE’s Electrifying Rendition of “Gabriela”
KATSEYE’s first-ever VMAs performance wasn’t only one of the most highly anticipated debuts of the night, but it served as a high-voltage spectacle that combined precise choreography with fierce vocal delivery.
Though they did equally excellent with “Gnarly,” their live rendition of “Gabriela” was as fiery as you’d expect. Their on-stage confidence, paired with the delectable choreography they’ve mastered, turned their performance into a sassy, if sizzling, masterclass in modern pop star performance. You could easily note just how much the audience enjoyed it (considering how much they sang and danced along to its viral dance), but what took everyone by surprise was Sophia’s sudden vocal ad-libs towards the track’s end, demonstrating just how much they have to offer if given the opportunity.
Undeniably, such a memorable debut not only pleased their loyal fanbase of EYEKONs but also left the audience breathless and hungry for more.
Sombr’s Entrancing Medley of “back to friends” and “12 to 12”
Sad boy music has been back for some time, but Sombr sure knows how to conjure up a world of yearning with his music.
The 20-year-old breakout musician’s VMAs debut served as an intimate journey through emotional vulnerability and late-night longing, kicking things off with the melancholic “back to friends,” wherein he delivered soft, almost whispered vocals that drew the audience in close. However, the playful shift into the sultry “12 to 12” was a smooth yet dramatic gear change, showcasing his versatility both in sound and stage presence.
With the latter, he was able to transform the venue into one ginormous club dance-party, gathering both the audience and fellow artists to stand up and move to the rhythm (including Ariana Grande, who seemed to be enjoying his set very much). The dramatic lighting further amplified his crooning vocals, making it known that Sombr has proven he can command a stage without overproduction — delivering great performances merely from storytelling, ambiance, and emotional weight alone.
Mariah Carey’s Iconic Medley Of Hits
Mariah Carey is undoubtedly one of the music industry’s greatest living legends, so bearing witness to a six-minute medley of some of her greatest contributions to the scene is already a fantastic moment in itself.
The pop icon’s VMAs return was a legendary moment that reminded viewers why she remains one of the most influential vocalists in music history –– traversing through her renowned hit tracks like “Sugar Sweet,” “Fantasy (Bad Boy Remix),” “Honey & Heartbreaker,” “Obsessed,” “It’s Like That,” “Type Dangerous,” and “We Belong Together” to celebrate her win of the 2025 Vanguard Award.
What came of the medley was a seamless celebration of her genre-defying career, showcasing that her vocals — still crystalline and effortlessly powerful — stood front and center, supported by elegant staging and a loving crowd. Mariah Carey didn’t need any sort of flash to make her performance even larger than life, as it was her legacy and voice that carried the weight of the performance, solidifying her as an eternal icon who will continue to move the industry in numerous ways.