It’s finally the night many have been waiting for all year, a spectacle of bold fashion, over-the-top performances, and the occasional nostalgic celebrity moment.
Ten minutes into the pre-show and the visuals are already wild: rainbow-striped cutaway suits, hotpants, chains, and sheer panels—seen on Chrissy Teigen and another guest. One attendee is wearing a dress that looks like it came straight from a 1974 bar mitzvah. Kelly Osbourne sports a partially shaved head that exposes a small tattoo behind one ear. Meanwhile, Charlamagne is conducting an odd interview with a man holding a nervous puppy.
At 9:00 PM Central the awards—aptly nicknamed the Moon Men—will finally be handed out. Below you’ll find the list of nominees and winners. Expect a lineup of performances from artists whose stage names sometimes drop vowels and whose sets are heavy on spectacle.
MTV continues to honor socially conscious work with a Video with a Social Message category, an encouraging sign that at least some videos are meant to spark reflection rather than just entertain. Ideally, these awards would inspire people to take action—volunteer locally, donate, or simply think more broadly about the world beyond celebrity culture.
The evening is hosted by Miley Cyrus. Her wardrobe choices are a frequent talking point—provocative, inventive, and often discussed as much as the performances themselves. The pre-show also features advertising breaks—one spot touts hair bundles for a price that seems like a solid deal if you’re in the market.
The show opens with a large production number featuring dancers in feathered headdresses and elaborate costumes. Nicki Minaj joins the routine, channeling island-inspired looks and lots of choreography emphasizing rhythm and movement. Taylor Swift follows in a flapper-inspired, fringe-covered outfit; the two performers offer a cautious hug as the segment ends.
Another act delivers a modern, street-style gang number with heavy leather accents and cinematic staging. A different artist emerges from a giant, metallic eagle head to perform a song titled “Downtown” in an actual downtown setting, accompanied by high-energy choreography and big production elements.
When the show proper begins, Miley appears in a sequined halter jumpsuit with detachable flamenco sleeves and bright accessories, backed by colorful, psychedelic visuals. She jokes about focusing on Instagram over making an album this year, and a short comedy sketch follows—one that lands unevenly but keeps the pace moving.
The first award—Best Male Video—is presented by Britney Spears. The category goes to Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars for “Uptown Funk.” The night continues with Jared Leto introducing The Weeknd, who performs “Can’t Feel My Face” backed by dramatic staging and choreography.
Comedian Rebel Wilson appears in a police-themed bit and presents Best Hip Hop Video. Nicki Minaj wins the Moon Man for “Anaconda,” and her appearance is as bold as her music—glittering gold and unapologetically theatrical.
Miley returns in a string of inventive costumes, alternating between oversized lips, decorative disks, and playful throwbacks. Presenters rotate rapidly, with Nick Jonas among those handing out awards. Taylor Swift takes home Best Female Video for “Blank Space,” prompting applause and another brief red-carpet–era moment.
Performances continue with Demi Lovato delivering a dramatic, confetti-filled set, joined by backing singers amid an inflatable pool prop. Justin Bieber performs a high-energy number with strong staging and visual effects, though the lights and choreography sometimes swallow the vocals.
Sia and a guest present the Video with a Social Message award, which goes to Big Sean featuring Kanye West and John Legend for “One Man Can Change the World.” The acceptance underlines the evening’s occasional turn toward more serious themes amid the spectacle.
There are comedic interludes, celebrity cameos, and a proudly over-the-top visual palette throughout the broadcast. Kylie Jenner appears as a presenter in a distinctive outfit; Tori Kelly sings with clear, impressive vocal control. Taylor Swift returns to present Kanye West with the Video Vanguard Award, a moment met with cheers and an extended onstage speech.
Kanye’s remarks touch on personal evolution and the pressures of fame, punctuated by the typical high energy of such acceptance speeches. John Legend follows with a performance framed around musical tradition and resilience, and Pharrell adds a soulful, reflective set emphasizing the role of artists in difficult times.
Other notable moments include the Artist to Watch presentation, which honors Fetty Wap, and awards for standout videos across pop, rock, and technical categories. A young band delivers an energetic set featuring dramatic makeup and intense movement, while Ice Cube presents Video of the Year—won by Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar for “Bad Blood.”
As the evening winds down, Miley promises a grand finale and returns with an elaborate, visually dense performance that leans into the show’s recurring themes: bold costume design, layered choreography, and close-up video imagery. The broadcast ends with the usual mix of applause, backslaps, and final glances at an industry that prizes both creativity and controversy.
*Winners List*
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Beyoncé – “7/11”
Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud”
Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” – WINNER
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”
Kendrick Lamar – “Alright”
BEST MALE VIDEO
Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud”
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk” – WINNER
Kendrick Lamar – “Alright”
The Weeknd – “Earned It”
Nick Jonas – “Chains”
BEST FEMALE VIDEO
Beyoncé – “7/11”
Taylor Swift – “Blank Space” – WINNER
Nicki Minaj – “Anaconda”
Sia – “Elastic Heart”
Ellie Goulding – “Love Me Like You Do”
BEST HIP HOP VIDEO
Fetty Wap – “Trap Queen”
Nicki Minaj – “Anaconda” – WINNER
Kendrick Lamar – “Alright”
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth – “See You Again”
Big Sean ft. E-40 – “IDFWU”
BEST POP VIDEO
Beyoncé – “7/11”
Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud”
Taylor Swift – “Blank Space” – WINNER
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”
Maroon 5 – “Sugar”
BEST ROCK VIDEO
Hozier – “Take Me To Church”
Fall Out Boy – “Uma Thurman” – WINNER
Florence + the Machine – “Ship To Wreck”
Walk the Moon – “Shut Up and Dance”
Arctic Monkeys – “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”
ARTIST TO WATCH presented by Taco Bell®
Fetty Wap – “Trap Queen” – WINNER
Vance Joy – “Riptide”
George Ezra – “Budapest”
James Bay – “Hold Back The River”
FKA Twigs – “Pendulum”
BEST COLLABORATION
Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” – WINNER
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth – “See You Again”
Ariana Grande & The Weeknd – “Love Me Harder”
Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj – “Bang Bang”
VIDEO WITH A SOCIAL MESSAGE
Jennifer Hudson – “I Still Love You”
Colbie Caillat – “Try”
Big Sean ft. Kanye West and John Legend – “One Man Can Change the World” – WINNER
Rihanna – “American Oxygen”
Wale – “The White Shoes”
SONG OF THE SUMMER
5 Seconds of Summer – “She’s Kinda Hot” – #ShesKindaHotVMA – WINNER
Fifth Harmony – “Worth It” – #WorthItVMA
Major Lazer – “Lean On” – #LeanOnVMA
OMI – “Cheerleader” – #CheerleaderVMA
Taylor Swift – “Bad Blood” – #BadBloodVMA
David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj – “Hey Mama” – #HeyMamaVMA
Fetty Wap – “My Way” – #MyWayVMA
Jack U ft. Justin Bieber – “Where Are U Now” – #WhereAreUNowVMA
Silento – “Watch Me” – #WatchMeVMA
Demi Lovato – “Cool For the Summer” – #CoolForTheSummerVMA
The Weeknd – “Can’t Feel My Face” – #CantFeelMyFaceVMA
Selena Gomez ft. A$AP Rocky – “Good For You” – #GoodForYouVMA
PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES
BEST ART DIRECTION
Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” (Charles Infante)
Snoop Dogg – “So Many Pros” (Jason Fijal) – WINNER
Jack White – “Would You Fight For My Love” (Jeff Peterson)
The Chemical Brothers – “Go” (Michel Gondry)
Skrillex & Diplo – “Where Are U Now” with Justin Bieber (Brewer)
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Beyoncé – “7/11” (Beyoncé, Chris Grant, Additional choreography: Gabriel Valenciano)
OK Go – “I Won’t Let You Down” (OK Go, air:man and Mori Harano) – WINNER
Chet Faker – “Gold” (Ryan Heffington)
Ed Sheeran – “Don’t” (Nappy Tabs)
Flying Lotus ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Never Catch Me” (Keone and Mari Madrid)
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Flying Lotus ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Never Catch Me” (Larkin Sieple) – WINNER
Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud” (Daniel Pearl)
Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” (Christopher Probst)
FKA Twigs – “Two Weeks” (Justin Brown)
Alt-J – “Left Hand Free” (Mike Simpson)
BEST DIRECTION
Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” (Joseph Kahn)
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk” (Bruno Mars & Cameron Duddy)
Kendrick Lamar – “Alright” (Colin Tilley & The Little Homies) – WINNER
Hozier – “Take Me To Church” (Brendan Canty and Conal Thomson of Feel Good Lost)
Childish Gambino – “Sober” (Hiro Murai)
BEST EDITING
Beyoncé – “7/11” (Beyoncé, Ed Burke, Jonathan Wing) – WINNER
Ed Sheeran – “Don’t” (Jacquelyn London)
Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” (Chancler Haynes at Cosmo Street)
A$AP Rocky – “L$D” (Dexter Navy)
Skrillex & Diplo – “Where Are U Now” with Justin Bieber (Brewer)
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” (Ingenuity Studios)
FKA Twigs – “Two Weeks” (Gloria FX, Tomash Kuzmytskyi, and Max Chyzhevskyy)
Childish Gambino – “Telegraph Ave.” (Gloria FX)
Skrillex & Diplo – “Where Are U Now” with Justin Bieber (Brewer) – WINNER
Tyler, The Creator – “F****** Young/Death Camp” (Gloria FX)