Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga land top honors at MTV’s Video Music Awards

The latest MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) recently brought together music's biggest stars for a spectacular celebration in New York. Held on Sunday, September 7, at the UBS Arena, the fan-voted event saw pop giants Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga take home top honors, with emerging talent Sabrina Carpenter also making a significant mark.

Ariana Grande was a standout, clinching the coveted Video of the Year award for her hit "Brighter Days Ahead." Accepting the prestigious MTV Moon Person trophy, Grande shared a heartfelt message about how "art has been a safe space" for her throughout her life. Earlier in the ceremony, she also secured the Best Pop prize, lovingly thanking her father for his debut acting role in the award-winning video.

Lady Gaga started the night strong, being crowned Artist of the Year, triumphing over fellow VMA legends Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Dazzling in a dramatic black-and-purple ruffled gown, Gaga expressed her gratitude for being "rewarded for being an artist," before making a swift departure to perform at Madison Square Garden as part of her "Mayhem" tour. Her win notably kept her tied with Beyoncé and Swift, each holding an impressive 30 VMAs. Gaga also earned a Best Collaboration award for "Die with a Smile," her popular duet with Bruno Mars.

Sabrina Carpenter celebrated a major achievement, receiving the Best Album award for her project "Short n’ Sweet." She offered sincere thanks to her fans, acknowledging the effort they put into listening to her work and declaring herself "the luckiest girl in the world." Meanwhile, the VMA for Song of the Year went to "APT.," a captivating collaboration between Bruno Mars and K-pop sensation Rose of Blackpink. Rose, 28, movingly dedicated her win to her 16-year-old self, emphasizing the importance of being accepted for hard work.

The ceremony was also packed with memorable performances and special recognitions. English singer Yungblud, accompanied by Nuno Bettencourt on guitar, kicked off an electrifying tribute to the late British rocker Ozzy Osbourne with "Crazy Train." The homage peaked when Aerosmith members Steven Tyler and Joe Perry joined the stage for a rousing rendition of "Mama, I’m Coming Home." Legendary artist Mariah Carey was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, reflecting on music videos as "mini movies visualizing the sheer fantasy of it all" and a perfect avenue to "bring the drama." Additionally, Alex Warren was named the Best New Artist, pointing to a bright future in the music industry.

Since its inception in 1984, the MTV Video Music Awards has been renowned for its iconic moments, from Madonna and Britney Spears' unforgettable onstage kiss to Lady Gaga's polarizing raw meat dress. This year's event, broadcast live on CBS and MTV, continued the tradition of celebrating groundbreaking artistry and captivating fan-favorite performances.