Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, Tate McRae, Alex Warren and Sabrina Carpenter, all of whom have topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 2025, are among the artists set to perform on the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday (Sept. 7).
Also, the women behind HUNTR/X, whose “Golden” is the current No. 1 single on the Hot 100, will present on the show. The fictional trio from KPop Demon Hunters is voiced by EJAE, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna.
Carey will receive this year’s Video Vanguard Award and will perform a career-spanning medley of hits. Hosted by LL COOL J, the show is set to air live coast-to-coast from New York’s UBS Arena on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 8:00 p.m., ET/5:00 p.m., PT on CBS, simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. This year’s VMAs will be the first to air on CBS.
MTV has also revealed details about the one-hour pre-show. Hosted by Nessa and Kevan Kenney with special performers KATSEYE — who will perform their latest singles “Gnarly” and “Gabriela” — the pre-show airs live Sunday, Sept. 7 at 7:00 p.m., ET/4:00 p.m., PT on MTV and BET, BET Her, Comedy Central, CMT, Logo, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land and VH1.
Also, the VMAs Extended Play Stage moves in-show for the first time, spotlighting a trio of first-time VMA nominees: Bailey Zimmerman feat. The Kid LAROI, Lola Young and Megan Moroney. Young will perform her smash-hit “Messy,” while Moroney will perform her track “6 Months Later.”
Busta Rhymes will receive the MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award, while Ricky Martin will be honored with the inaugural Latin Icon Award.
This will mark Gaga’s first VMAs performance since 2020, when she took home multiple trophies, including artist of the year and song of the year for her “Rain on Me” collaboration with Ariana Grande.
Gaga is leading the pack at this year’s awards with 12 nominations, followed closely by her “Die With a Smile” collaborator Bruno Mars with 11. Other top contenders include Kendrick Lamar (10), Sabrina Carpenter (nine), ROSÉ (eight), Ariana Grande and The Weeknd (seven each), Billie Eilish and Tate McRae (six each), Charli xcx (five), and Alex Warren, Bad Bunny, Doechii, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Miley Cyrus and Morgan Wallen (four each).
MTV is tweaking the Grammys’ long-time slogan “Music’s Biggest Night” by calling themselves “Music’s Most Iconic Night.” (In TV ads leading up to the show, they had tried “Music’s Most Surprising Night.”)
The 2025 MTV VMAs are executive produced by Bruce Gillmer, Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic, and Barb Bialkowski. Gunpowder & Sky CEO Van Toffler is producer. Alicia Portugal is co-executive producer. Jackie Barba is executive in charge of production. Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent. Lisa Lauricella is executive in charge of music talent.
This marks Toffler’s return to the show following a decade-long absence.
Here are the performers and presenters that have been announced for the 2025 VMAs. Additional names will be added as they are announced.
Performers
Alex Warren
Bailey Zimmerman feat. the Kid LAROI (Extended Play Stage)
Busta Rhymes (VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award)
Conan Gray
Doja Cat
J Balvin featuring DJ Snake
Jelly Roll
KATSEYE (Pre-Show)
Lady Gaga
Lola Young (Extended Play Stage)
Mariah Carey (MTV Video Vanguard Award)
Megan Moroney (Extended Play Stage)
Post Malone
Tate McRae
Ricky Martin (Latin Icon Award)
Sabrina Carpenter
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Presenters
Ashlee Simpson Ross
Brittany Snow
Ciara
Drew Barrymore
KPop Demon Hunter’s EJAE, REI AMI + Audrey Nuna (HUNTR/X)
Ice Spice
Jessica Simpson
Latto
Livvy Dunne
Malin Ackerman
Meg Stalter
Nikki Glaser
Paris Hilton