Lady Gaga’s anticipated performance at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards was tonight. In a pre-taped segment recorded at her Madison Square Garden concert last night (September 6), the pop star sang “Abracadabra” from her new album Mayhem and “The Dead Dance,” her new single for Netflix’s Wednesday. “The category is dance or die,” Gaga declared from atop the massive red ballgown that has become a staple of her Mayhem Ball tour. For “The Dead Dance,” she busted out some disco moves while dressed as a decrepit Little Bo-Peep. Watch a replay below.
Lady Gaga is the most nominated artist at tonight’s award show, earning nods for Best Artist as well as Video and Song of the Year for her Bruno Mars duet “Die With a Smile.” In total, she’s eligible for 12 awards this go-around.
Gaga is no stranger to the VMAs. Her previous performances at the awards show include a famous 2009 set, where she delivered a star-making rendition of “Paparazzi,” and her 2020 performance alongside Ariana Grande. Mariah Carey and Sabrina Carpenter both took the stage tonight, with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler also slated to perform.
Read about Mayhem in “The Best Music of 2025 So Far” and follow along with all of Pitchfork’s coverage of the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.
X content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.