Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars lead nominees for MTV’s Video Music Awards 2025

The nominations for the highly anticipated MTV Video Music Awards 2025 have officially dropped, revealing a dynamic duo leading the pack! Pop superstar Lady Gaga and her "Die with a Smile" collaborator Bruno Mars have landed at the top of this year's nominee list, setting the stage for an exciting awards night.

Lady Gaga, a consistent VMA favorite, has racked up an impressive 12 nominations. Her nods include the coveted Artist of the Year and Best Album for her acclaimed work, 'Mayhem'.

Hot on her heels, Bruno Mars garnered 11 nominations. His collaborative hit with Lady Gaga, "Die with a Smile," a Grammy-winning track, is a strong contender. Additionally, his duet with K-pop sensation Rose, "APT.", also received significant recognition. Both "Die with a Smile" and "APT." are set to compete for the prestigious Video of the Year award, facing off against Billie Eilish's "Birds of a Feather," Kendrick Lamar's impactful "Not Like Us," and Sabrina Carpenter’s "Manchild," among other notable entries.

The competition for Artist of the Year is exceptionally fierce, featuring industry titans such as Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, who currently share the record for most career VMA awards with 30 each. They are joined by other formidable talents including Kendrick Lamar, Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny, country singer Morgan Wallen, and Canadian pop sensation The Weeknd.

The VMAs, which first aired on MTV in 1984, are legendary for delivering unforgettable moments, from Madonna and Britney Spears' iconic onstage kiss to Lady Gaga’s memorable raw meat dress. This year, fans have the power to cast their votes online across 19 categories. The winners will be announced live from New York on September 7, with the ceremony broadcast on the CBS network.

Adding a fresh twist to the awards, two new categories have been introduced this year: Best Country Video and Best Pop Artist. Nominees for Best Country Video include Chris Stapleton for "Think I’m in Love with You," Jelly Roll with "Liar," and Morgan Wallen’s "Smile." Meanwhile, the inaugural Best Pop Artist award sees Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Tate McRae among the top contenders vying for the new honor.