Lady Gaga Dominates the 2025 MTV VMAs with 12 Nominations – Full Nominees List

When you think about iconic moments in pop culture, the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) are always up there. This year, the stage is set for what could be one of the most talked-about shows in recent memory. The 2025 nominations have officially dropped, and let’s just say one name is absolutely everywhere—Lady Gaga.

The pop powerhouse, affectionately known to fans as “Mother Monster,” is leading the way with a staggering 12 nominations. From Artist of the Year to jaw-dropping visuals in her brand-new single Abracadabra, Gaga’s domination of the categories is proof that her influence in music, fashion, and performance is still unmatched.

But she’s not alone at the top. Bruno Mars, her collaborator on the emotional ballad Die With a Smile, is right behind her with 11 nods, while rap titan Kendrick Lamar racks up 10 nominations of his own.

And that’s just the beginning.

The Big Names, the Big Categories

When you think about VMAs, certain awards carry major bragging rights—Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year being the crown jewels. This year, the competition is stacked with heavyweights:

• Video of the Year contenders include Ariana Grande (brighter days ahead), Billie Eilish (Birds of a Feather), The Weeknd (Timeless with Playboi Carti), Kendrick Lamar (Not Like Us), and, of course, Gaga & Bruno (Die With a Smile).

• For Artist of the Year, the lineup feels like a music festival headliner list: Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Morgan Wallen, The Weeknd, and Bad Bunny.

• The Song of the Year race might be the toughest yet—Ed Sheeran’s Sapphire, Billie Eilish’s Birds of a Feather, Lorde’s What Was That, Gaga & Bruno’s Die With a Smile, and ROSÉ’s collaboration APT. with Bruno Mars are all vying for the crown.

This year’s VMAs feel less like a competition and more like a battle of music legends versus the next generation of hitmakers.

Gaga’s “Abracadabra” Era

If there’s one artist redefining what it means to own a music era, it’s Lady Gaga. Her single Abracadabra has swept across streaming platforms like wildfire, and now it’s a centerpiece of her 12 nominations. The track, with its edgy visuals and theatrical flair, is nominated in categories like Best Direction, Best Art Direction, and Best Cinematography.

And then there’s her emotional duet with Bruno Mars, Die With a Smile. This song alone has secured nominations across Song of the Year, Best Pop, Best Collaboration, and Video of the Year. Gaga’s ability to juggle powerhouse ballads and avant-garde visuals is why she’s the most nominated artist this year.

The Vanguard Moment: Honoring Mariah Carey

Every year, the VMAs spotlight a legend with the Video Vanguard Award, celebrating a career of unforgettable music videos and cultural influence. In 2025, the honor goes to none other than Mariah Carey.

Think about it—her catalog is filled with timeless hits and unforgettable visuals (Fantasy, Heartbreaker, We Belong Together). Carey’s contributions to pop and R&B have shaped generations, and this moment is going to be one for the books. Fans are already buzzing about what kind of medley she might perform on stage.

Your Host for the Night: LL Cool J

Let’s not forget, the night needs a guide, someone who can balance humor, nostalgia, and energy. Enter LL Cool J—rapper, actor, Grammy winner, and yes, a former VMA champ himself. With decades of industry experience and crossover appeal, LL Cool J feels like the perfect fit to host a night celebrating both old-school legends and today’s chart-toppers.

Rising Stars to Watch

While the heavy hitters dominate headlines, one of the most exciting parts of the VMAs is watching new talent break through. The Best New Artist category highlights names that could be running the industry in a few years:

• Alex Warren

• Ella Langley

• Gigi Perez

• Lola Young

• sombr

• The Marías

Past winners of this category include artists like Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish, so history tells us that at least one of these names is going to explode after the show.

Genre Showdowns: Who Rules Each Lane?

VMAs aren’t just about the big three categories. They dig into every corner of music culture, making it one of the most inclusive and exciting award shows of the year. A few highlights worth noting:

• Best Hip-Hop: Kendrick Lamar (Not Like Us), Drake (NOKIA), and LL Cool J (Murdergram Deux with Eminem) make this one a serious rap battle.

• Best Pop: Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran, Sabrina Carpenter, and Gaga & Bruno are all looking for a win here.

• Best Rock: Linkin Park, Green Day, Coldplay, Evanescence, and twenty one pilots keep the rock spirit alive.

• Best Latin: With Bad Bunny, Shakira, KAROL G, and Peso Pluma in the mix, expect this to be one of the most globally-watched categories.

• Best K-Pop: Stray Kids, JENNIE, Jimin, and ROSÉ are ensuring K-pop once again has a massive footprint at the VMAs.

Why This Year Feels Different

One reason the 2025 VMAs feel extra electric? The balance between established icons and fresh talent. It’s rare to see Lady Gaga and Mariah Carey celebrated in the same show where artists like sombr and Gigi Perez are breaking onto the scene. Add in global representation from Afrobeats (Tems, Burna Boy, Wizkid) and K-pop (aespa, Stray Kids, Lisa), and you’ve got a truly international celebration of music.

Also, let’s be real—the collaborations are insane this year. Post Malone with Blake Shelton? Gaga with Bruno? Kendrick with SZA? These cross-genre pairings keep the VMAs unpredictable and fun.

A Few Predictions (Because We Can’t Resist)

• Video of the Year feels like a showdown between Gaga & Bruno (Die With a Smile) and Kendrick Lamar (Not Like Us).

• Artist of the Year could swing toward Gaga, but don’t sleep on Taylor Swift or Beyoncé.

• Song of the Year? Billie Eilish’s Birds of a Feather has been everywhere, but Ed Sheeran’s Sapphire is gaining momentum.

Final Thoughts: VMAs 2025 = Pop Culture Fireworks

Between Gaga’s dominance, Mariah’s Vanguard celebration, LL Cool J hosting, and categories packed with global superstars, this year’s VMAs have all the makings of a night that fans will be replaying for years.

Whether you’re here for the high-fashion red carpet looks, the jaw-dropping performances, or just to see if your favorite artist finally takes home some hardware, one thing is clear: the 2025 MTV VMAs are about to deliver a show that’s larger than life.

So grab your snacks, charge your phone (for all the live tweeting), and get ready—because music’s most unpredictable night is almost here.