The 2025 VMAs brought the 'Mayhem' (and nostalgia). What you missed:

• Music royalty sported their best looks to the red carpet at New York’s UBS Arena on Sunday as they geared up for the ceremony, which was hosted by LL Cool J.
• Lady Gaga, who won four VMAs, accepted the award for artist of the year at the top of the show before trekking to Madison Square Garden for her Mayhem Ball tour show. The VMAs also featured a performance of the star that was taped at MSG.
• Ariana Grande took home three awards, including the coveted video of the year honor for "Brighter Days Ahead."
• Millennial nostalgia dominated this year's show, which featured medley performances from Mariah Carey, this year's Video Vanguard Award recipient; Ricky Martin, the inaugural winner of the Latin Icon Award; and Busta Rhymes, the inaugural winner of the "Rock the Bells" Visionary Award.
• Ozzy Osbourne, who died in July at age 76, was honored with a star-studded tribute performance featuring Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, YUNGBLUD and Nuno Bettencourt.
• Newcomers in the music scene who have seen fame escalate thanks to social media platforms like TikTok also made a significant impact at this year’s VMAs. Among them: Alex Warren, who won the best new artist award, and Megan Moroney, who won in the newly introduced best country category.
• Sabrina Carpenter won 3 VMA's including Best Pop Artist!