Pop star Ariana Grande emerged as the big winner at the MTV Video Music Awards, with Lady Gaga and Sabrina Carpenter also snagging significant accolades at a glamorous event celebrating fan favorites in New York City on Sunday.
Grande not only clinched the coveted video of the year award but also secured the best pop video honor. During her acceptance speech, she stirred excitement among the audience by expressing gratitude towards her “therapists and gay people.”
Gaga, leading the nominations for the night, started off by claiming the artist of the year title before fulfilling her promise of a captivating performance. Following her acceptance speech, she mesmerized the crowd at Madison Square Garden with a streamed performance at the UBS Arena, the venue for the VMAs.
In her earlier remarks, Gaga emphasized the profound significance of artistry, stating that being an artist is a means to connect people worldwide at a soulful level. She performed “Abracadabra” and “The Dead Dance,” a track from the Netflix series “Wednesday,” underscoring that being an artist entails a responsibility to evoke emotions and inspire.
The night also saw Sabrina Carpenter, Ricky Martin, and Busta Rhymes being honored for their contributions. Carpenter clinched the best album award for “Short n’ Sweet,” expressing gratitude for the listeners’ support. Martin received the inaugural Latin Icon Award and dedicated it to his four children, marking his 40-year journey in the music industry. Busta Rhymes was recognized with the inaugural MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award for his outstanding musical career.
Additionally, Alex Warren, known for the chart-topping track “Ordinary,” was crowned as the best new artist of the year.
The event featured touching tributes to music icons Mariah Carey and the late Ozzy Osbourne. Carey was honored with the video vanguard award, with Grande praising her as the “soundtrack of our lives.” Osbourne was remembered through a powerful tribute performance by renowned artists, including Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, YUNGBLUD, and Nuno Bettencourt, who showcased some of Osbourne’s greatest hits.
Furthermore, artists like Tate McRae, Conan Gray, Jelly Roll, Post Malone, J Balvin, and sombr graced the stage with their performances, adding to the electrifying atmosphere of the VMAs.