The MTV VMAs are back and ready to serve pop spectacle, fan-favorite chaos, and the kind of star power only this show can deliver.

Catch the 2025 event live from New York’s UBS Arena on Sunday, September 7th at 8PM ET on CBS, with a simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+.

This year’s nominees are a mix of legends and rising stars, but before we get into that, I need to get personal for a second. I wouldn’t be doing what I do, blogging, podcasting, obsessing over pop stars, if it weren’t for Britney Spears.

Watching her iconic performances as a kid (I still remember gasping when she ripped off that black suit at the 2000 VMAs) completely changed the way I saw music and storytelling.

The VMAs became my Super Bowl, my Met Gala, my escape. It’s why I go so hard for moments like these now. They may never top the years Britney was involved, but the world is overdue for a VMAs night that’s fun, wild, and unforgettable.

LET’S TALK THIS YEARS NOMINEES

This year, Lady Gaga leads the pack with 12 nominations (hello, “Abracadabra” domination), followed closely by Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar, and ROSÉ. The VMAs also introduced new categories, Best Country and Best Pop Artist.

My personal faves Charli XCX, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, and Mariah Carey all scored major nods. Charli is up for five awards, including Best Pop Artist and Best Direction for her Billie Eilish collab, “Guess.”

Miley’s nominated for Best Pop Artist and Best Long Form Video for her visual album “Something Beautiful,” and Mariah is repping R&B with “Type Dangerous.” A pop girl’s dream.

Other standout nominees include Sabrina Carpenter (8 noms!), The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, and Billie Eilish. Plus, first-time solo nods for K-pop queens JENNIE, JISOO, and ROSÉ, and new names like Gigi Perez and sombr showing up in multiple categories.

HOW TO VOTE

Fan voting is now open at vote.mtv.com until Sept. 5th at 6PM ET for most categories, except Best New Artist, which stays open during the show. Voting for Song of the Year narrows to six contenders on Aug. 18th.

You can also vote on Instagram by commenting under the @VMAs pinned posts using artist hashtags, but only until Aug. 8th. And if you’re a superfan, don’t miss “Power Hour” every day from 1-2PM ET until Sept. 4, where votes count double.

I’ll be rooting (loudly) for Charli, Gaga, Miley, and Mariah. Be sure to tune in on September 7th!

See the entire list of nominees here!