If you’re watching the 2025 MTV VMAs tonight, that means you saw thee Lady Gaga accept the Artist of the Year award — sorry, “moonperson” — earlier in the evening.
“I thought about what it means to be rewarded for being an artist, being rewarded for something that is already so rewarding,” she said during her acceptance speech. “Being an artist is an attempt to connect the souls of people all over the world. Being an artist is a discipline, a craft meant for reaching into someone’s heart, where it grows its roots, and reminding them to dream.”
Gaga also thanked her fiancé Michael Polansky before telling the crowd that she couldn’t stick around for the rest of the show — because she’s literally on tour behind her latest album Mayhem and had a show across town at NYC’s legendary Madison Square Garden venue.
Now, you might find this confusing, considering that Gaga was also making “her VMA return,” as the show’s promo put it, by performing at the ceremony tonight. What’s the deal?
Well, as it turns out, Gaga’s VMAs gig was pre-taped! Specifically, her showstopping performance of “Abracadabra” and “The Dead Dance” was lensed yesterday, Sept. 6, at another one of her MSG performances.
So there’s one VMAs mystery answered for you. Next up: Who is “sombr,” and what happened to his “e”?
Check out all of our VMAs coverage here.
