ROSÉ Opens Up About Her Fears in ‘Deeply Personal’ VMAs Acceptance Speech

While ROSÉ already has some VMAs in her back pocket thanks to BLACKPINK’s several wins at the MTV Video Music Awards over the years, the New Zealand/South Korean singer now has one of her own as a solo artist – and the big moment was not lost on her.

Bruno Mars & ROSÉ’s smash “APT.” (which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100) was named the song of the year at the 2025 VMAs on Sunday (Sept. 7) night at the USB Arena in Elmont, N.Y. Taking the stage to accept the honor (Mars was not present at the show), Rosé unfurled a pre-written note and read a well-thought-out, personal speech.

“I feel like this is a really big moment for myself and a lot of other people,” she began before pausing, laughing a bit and continuing. “Thank you so much, Bruno. I can’t believe this. I’m gonna call you after, thank you so much for believing in me.”

ROSÉ then brought it back in time. “Someone asked me the other day what my fear in life was and I was quite shocked at my own response. I had no idea how deeply personal this journey had been for me. I told them I feared that somewhere along this journey of pursuing my dreams I might hit a wall and disappoint my 16-year-old self who grew up always an oddball among society, who wished someday she could be herself and pursue her dreams like anyone else I saw on television.”

Holding her speech and the Moon Person, she declared, “Twelve years later I dedicate this award to my 16-year-old self who dreamed and to all those who have watched me grow into the artist I am today. Every single one of you has put me here…. Now I believe there is no imposter in the world when MTV has given me this award at the VMAs.”

Rosé thanked her team, her label, her fellow BLACKPINK members and “my loyal fans for believing in me.”

“This is a really big moment for 16-year-old me and anyone else who has dreamed of being accepted equally for their hard work,” she said. “As my therapist tells me to do every day, I’d like to thank myself for not giving up even in the toughest of times.”

Watch her speech below: