Unmissable Snubs and Shocking Surprises: Highlights from the 2025 VMAs!

Lady Gaga had a remarkable night at the 2025 VMAs, held at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on September 7. She was a favorite, nominated for 12 awards—the highest of any artist. True to form, she walked away with four Moon Men, leading the evening in wins.

LL Cool J hosted the event with his signature smoothness. He’s no stranger to awards shows, having previously co-hosted the VMAs and the Grammys multiple times.

Before the night began, a few awards were already announced, including the Video Vanguard Award for Mariah Carey and the Latin Icon Award for Ricky Martin. However, the show still had its share of surprises. One notable change was the new artist of the year category, which went from six nominees to three. Alex Warren and sombr were expected choices, but many fans were surprised to see The Marías take the final spot, edging out Gigi Perez, Lola Young, and Ella Langley.

The VMAs are usually filled with unexpected moments and snubs, and this year was no different. Here are some highlights:

Major Snubs

• Kendrick Lamar: His hit “Not Like Us” was a strong contender for Video of the Year after sweeping the Grammys. Yet, it only received the award for best cinematographer and lost out to Doechii’s “Anxiety” for Best Hip-Hop. Some believe “recency bias” played a role, as the video was released back in July 2024.
• Bad Bunny: Despite nine nominations for Best Latin Artist since 2018, he has yet to win. The lack of success in this category is puzzling for fans who consider him a frontrunner.
• The Weeknd: After previously winning Video of the Year for “Blinding Lights,” he was shut out completely this year despite seven nominations, along with other major artists like Ed Sheeran and Miley Cyrus.

Surprise Wins

• Tate McRae: She snagged the Song of the Summer award for “Just Keep Watching,” a song from F1 The Movie. Remarkably, it beat several No. 1 hits to take the title. This isn’t an isolated trend; BLACKPINK’s “How You Like That” also won Song of the Summer in 2020, despite similar chart performance.

• Female Dominance: This year showcased a striking win for female artists. Out of 30 awards, women or all-female groups claimed 22. In genre-specific categories, eight of ten went to women. This marks an exciting trend in the music industry, reflecting broader shifts toward gender equality in entertainment.

These developments at the VMAs illustrate evolving trends in music and recognition, emphasizing the growth and impact of female artists. This year’s show not only celebrated existing stars but also hinted at the emerging talent poised to shape the future of music.

For up-to-date info, check out Billboard’s coverage.

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