Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar Lead MTV VMA Noms

Lady Gaga at T-Mobile Arena on July 16, 2025, in Las Vegas (photo: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for Live Nation).

Lady Gaga (12), Bruno Mars (11) and Kendrick Lamar (10) lead the nominees for the 2025 edition of the MTV Video Music Awards, which will air live for the first time on CBS on Sept. 7 from UBS Arena just outside Manhattan. The show will also be simulcast on MTV and stream on Paramount+ in the United States.

18-time winner Gaga’s nods include Video, Song and Best Collaboration for the Mars team-up “Die With a Smile,” while Mars picked up seven other nominations for his smash hit “APT.” with ROSÉ. Other acts recognized multiple times include Sabrina Carpenter (8), Ariana Grande and the Weeknd (7), Billie Eilish (6), Charli xcx (5), Bad Bunny, Doechii, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Miley Cyrus and Tate McRae (4 each). 

Among the first-time nominees are Alex Warren, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, sombr, the Marías, Blake Shelton and even late rapper Mac Miller. Details about performers, hosts and other honorees are forthcoming.

Fighting it out for Video of the Year will be Grande’s “brighter days ahead,” Eilish’s “BIRDS OF A FEATHER,” Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” Carpenter’s “Manchild” and the Weekend and Playboi Carti’s “Timeless.” Non-Gaga challengers for Artist of the Year include Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift and the Weeknd.

Fan voting is underway in 19 categories through Sept. 5, with Best New Artist remaining open for submissions once the broadcast begins.