Are the VMAs back? Or was MTV simply pandering to my millennial sensibilities at the 2025 Video Music Awards?
There had to be someone at MTV whispering “do it for the 30-somethings” into the ears of the producers. Or maybe the millennials are in charge now. Whatever—all I know is that when I saw the stars arriving on the red carpet at the UBS Arena on September 7, I felt as though I’d tripped, hit my head, and woken up in the year 2009. The guest list was littered with early ’00s pop culture royalty—Ciara, Ricky Martin, the Simpsons (sisters Ashlee and Jessica), the Hiltons (sisters Paris and Nicky), Brittany Snow, Taylor Momsen, Mike “the Situation” Sorrentino, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, and many, many more.
Of course, stoking our collective nostalgia for views is nothing new to the awards show. That’s basically the reason for the Video Vanguard Award, which is given each year to an artist for lifetime achievement.
In addition to the Vanguard award, which was presented to Mariah Carey this year (rumor has it she’s still slowly shuffling off the stage—take all the time you need, queen!), MTV bestowed its first ever Latin Icon Award to Ricky Martin, who, I’m happy to report, has absolutely still got it. Fans got an extra hit of that sweet, sweet nostalgia when Jessica Simpson presented him with the award and reminded the audience that, back in 1999, she opened for him on his Livin’ La Vida Loca tour.
Another new addition to the lineup this year was the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award, which was awarded to Busta Rhymes. His performance was a breathless reminder that he’s still the best in the game, and he has a Guinness World Record to prove it. Clad in a red tracksuit as though it’s 1999, Rhymes was joined by Joyner Lucas, Papoose, and GloRilla on stage, and gave a special shout out to MTV VJ Ananda Lewis, who passed away earlier this year, in his acceptance speech.
However, even the younger performers seemed to be pay tribute to the greats of the ’90s and early ’00s, starting with Doja Cat, whose Janet Jackson–esque opening performance prioritized vibrant choreography and staging that’s best described as “vibey as hell.” And it was hard not to cry “Britney” when Tate McRae took the stage a few minutes later. From her barely there two-piece look (are we doing bandeau tops again?) to her acrobatic floor dancing, I was mesmerized in a way that reminded me why I was never allowed to watch MTV—especially awards shows—as a child. This is a high compliment. Ditto Sabrina Carpenter’s performance of “Tears,” from her latest album, Man’s Best Friend, which will go down as the second-best stage-rain performance in history.
The greasy rock-and-roll front man is back, too, going by the popularity of two male performers this evening, Sombr and Yungblud, who wore black and bared their scrawny bare chests like many yearnest (that’s yearning and earnest) men before them—including Steven Tyler, who performed a tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne alongside Yungblud.
The show is mostly performances—I’ve never seen a better advertisement for a world tour than Gaga’s Mayhem Ball performance—but there were some delectable VMAs moments in between too. When both Busta Rhymes and Mariah Carey subtly roasted MTV for not having previously given them awards? It was like watching Nicki Minaj say “Miley, what’s good?” all over again. I mean, not really, but we’re all so buttoned up these days that I’ll wring an awards show for every last drop of drama.
Was it a perfect show? No. Was I googling different celebrities’ names at times? Absolutely. That said, it was the most entertaining VMAs I’ve seen in while, and that’s all a millennial can really ask for.
To see all the looks from the 2025 VMAs red carpet, and for more of Glamour’s live show coverage, click here.
