The 2025 Video Music Awards lit up Sunday night, and wow, did it deliver! With LL Cool J hosting, the night mixed nostalgia with fresh energy. At Trend Tattle, we are going to break down the fashion and the music that made this year’s VMAs a pop culture feast.
Doja Cat Brings the ’80s Back with Kenny G
When you thought the VMAs couldn’t get more exciting, Doja Cat opened the night with her new song “Jealous Type.” She stepped into a Max Headroom-inspired video before breaking into her ‘80s-style pop track. We saw Kenny G’s smooth saxophone set the tone. This performance added a retro vibe that felt straight out of an ’80s roller rink fantasy to the 2025 VMAs. We also have to mention how good Doja looked. On the red carpet, she turned heads in Balmain with crimson lips and feathered blonde waves. However, the real shocker came when she appeared to chomp on a MAC lipstick. It is her signature shade, Lady Danger. Don’t worry, it wasn’t the real thing. Pastry legend Amaury Guichon made the edible lipstick out of chocolate. The stunt doubled as her big reveal: Doja is now MAC’s newest global ambassador. We love it when musicians think outside the box!
Rosé’s Golden Win and Message to Her Younger Self
We saw Rosé of Blackpink take home Song of the Year for her hit “APT” with Bruno Mars. She looked absolutely stunning in her flowing butter-yellow gown by Oscar de la Renta.Her acceptance speech definitely hit a chord in our hearts. It was a note to her younger self, a reminder that dreams can outlast fear. She thanked Mars, promising to call him after the show, and gave love to her teams in Korea and the U.S. However, when she said, “I dedicate this to my 16-year-old self,” we all saw everyone cheer her on.
Tate McRae’s Viral Moves and Fiery Energy
Tate McRae brought heat with “Revolving Door” and “Sports Car.” She strutted onto the stage in a sleek white two-piece, surrounded by dancers, and quickly stripped down to lingerie. Her outfit might be daring, but she felt confident in it. We can all agree that she truly owned her spot on the VMAs stage. You might have already watched her famous back-bend move in the ‘Revolving Door’ video, but seeing her nail it live was on another level. Her moves went viral. We saw TikTok light up with fans like you trying to copy it. Then came ‘Sports Car,’. You had to watch the performance to truly appreciate how good it was. Tate is making a statement that pop’s new era is physical, playful, and daring.
KPop Demon Hunters Hit the Stage
K-pop had more spotlight thanks to EJAE, Rei Ami, and Audrey Nuna, the powerhouse voices behind Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters. They presented Album of the Year to Sabrina Carpenter and made their VMAs debut as a trio. They were all dressed like a new-gen girl gang with their pop Goth looks that were stunning!
Gaga Brings Mayhem Ball Magic
If you weren’t lucky enough to see Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Ball tour at Madison Square Garden, the VMAs gave you the next best thing. Gaga’s performance of “Abracadabra” and her new single “The Dead Dance” was spectacular! Gaga appeared in a massive red ballgown towering above a cage of dancers. She was introduced by Rosé. Then, in true Gaga fashion, she dropped from the gown into the cage. She re-emerged with gray curls and wild energy, which we saw in Wednesday Season 2. The cage opened like a gate, and Gaga sprinted the runway with her dancers chanting, “Do the dead dance.” It was part horror movie, part fashion show, all Gaga!
Sabrina Carpenter’s Bold Statement
Sabrina Carpenter turned her debut VMAs performance into a statement about protecting Trans rights. While singing “Tears” on a street set styled like ’90s New York, she was joined by drag queens and dancers. The whole performance was amazing with retro outfits, police uniforms, and one-of-a-kind choreography. We were glued to our screens! Then. We saw the signs come out: “Protect Trans Rights” and “In Trans We Trust.” Sabrina used her platform to push for equality. And that is a total queen move!
Big Winners of the Night
We saw Ariana Grande take home Video of the Year, and Lady Gaga snagged four trophies. The show proved that 2025 belongs to bold women who know how to mix music, style, and power. We also saw KATSEYE takes the MTV VMAs 2025 stage for the very first time. The six-member girl group shows up in perfectly matching looks, which wer perfect for the red carpet drama. They are also nominated for their hit song ‘Touch. VMAs 2025 is definitely a year that celebrates female pop icons!
Get the Latest Highlights with Trend Tattle:
From Doja Cat biting into chocolate lipstick to Rosé dedicating her award to her younger self, the 2025 VMAs proved once again that music and fashion are inseparable. We are definitely going to be talking about Tate McRae’s moves, Gaga’s drama, and Sabrina’s activism for days to come. We live for nights like this at Trend Tattle. The VMAs reminded us that music isn’t just about sound. It’s about celebrating stories that define who our favorite celebrities are! The VMAs 2025 proved there’s no better finale for this year!
FAQs:
1. Who hosted the 2025 VMAs?
The 2025 VMAs were hosted by LL Cool J, who brought nostalgia, humor, and fresh energy to the night.
2. What was the biggest fashion moment at the VMAs?
Doja Cat stole the show with her Balmain look and bold stunt of biting into a chocolate MAC lipstick, revealing her new role as MAC’s global ambassador.
3. Which performance went viral from the 2025 VMAs?
Tate McRae’s performance of “Revolving Door” and “Sports Car” went viral, especially her back-bend move that fans rushed to copy on TikTok.
4. What powerful message did Sabrina Carpenter share?
During her performance of “Tears,” Sabrina Carpenter highlighted transgender rights with drag queens by her side and signs reading “Protect Trans Rights” and “In Trans We Trust.”
5. Who were the big winners of the 2025 VMAs?
Rosé won Song of the Year for “APT,” Ariana Grande took home Video of the Year, and Lady Gaga dominated with four awards.
