Sabrina Carpenter is set to perform on the MTV Video Music Awards for the second year in a row.
Last year, the pop sensation performed a three-smash medley – “Please Please Please,” “Taste” and “Espresso” – and won song of the year for “Espresso.” Carpenter is up for eight awards this year, including video of the year (“Manchild”) from her upcoming album Man’s Best Friend.
Alex Warren, Busta Rhymes, J Balvin featuring DJ Snake, Ricky Martin and sombr are also set to perform on the show. The 2025 VMAs, hosted by LL COOL J, will air live coast-to-coast from New York’s UBS Arena on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Warren and sombr are both nominated for best new artist at the VMAs. Both are almost certain to be nominated in that category at the Grammys, as Carpenter was last year. Last year’s VMA winner for best new artist, Chappell Roan, went on to win the Grammy in that category. (This year’s other VMA nominees for best new artist are Ella Langley, Gigi Perez, Lola Young and The Marías.)
Warren is also nominated for best pop and song of the year for his global No. 1 smash “Ordinary.” Sombr is also nominated for best alternative for his hit “back to friends,” one of three songs of his on the current Billboard Hot 100 (along with “Undressed” and “12 to 12”). This is billed as sombr’s awards show debut.
Busta will receive the MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award, presented by host LL COOL J (who had a hit in 1986 titled “Rock the Bells”). Martin will be honored with the inaugural Latin Icon Award.
Martin’s award honors a four-decade career that launched Latin music and culture into the mainstream. Martin’s VMAs return marks the 26th anniversary of his first VMAs performance. On the 1999 telecast, he performed “She’s All I Ever Had” and his hip-swiveling global smash “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” The latter video won five awards: best pop video, best dance video and three International Viewer’s Choice awards.
Busta’s award celebrates boundary-breaking cultural impact. Busta made his first VMAs appearance in 1997, when he presented best dance video alongside Martha Stewart. His most recent appearance was performing an extended hits medley in 2021. Busta received a Global Icon award at the 2024 MTV EMAs.
J Balvin returns to the VMAs with his latest hit “Zun Zun,” joined by Latin stars Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez. He’ll then team up with producer DJ Snake – making his first VMAs appearance – for the live premiere of their collab “Noventa.” Balvin, who last performed on the VMAs in 2022, is hoping to take home his sixth Moon Person this year. That would break him out of a tie with Martin as the leading Latin award winner in VMA history.
The 2025 VMAs are produced by Gunpowder & Sky. Bruce Gillmer, Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic, and Barb Bialkowski are executive producers. Alicia Portugal is co-executive producer. Jackie Barba is executive in charge of production. Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent. Lisa Lauricella is executive in charge of music talent.
Additional performers, presenters and special guests will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Lady Gaga leads the nominations for the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards with 12 nods, followed closely by her “Die With a Smile” duet partner Bruno Mars, who has 11 nods. Other top contenders are Kendrick Lamar (10), ROSÉ and Sabrina Carpenter (eight each), Ariana Grande and The Weeknd (seven each) and Billie Eilish (six).
MTV has yet to announce this year’s recipient of the Video Vanguard Award, but Billboard’s Andrew Unterberger listed eight likely candidates – in ascending order of perceived likelihood. (Last year, he correctly predicted Katy Perry as the Vanguard recipient, so he knows what he’s talking about.)
This will mark the first time the show has been broadcast by CBS. It will also simulcast on MTV and stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.
The 2025 MTV VMAs are executive produced by Bruce Gillmer, Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic, and Barb Bialkowski. Gunpowder & Sky CEO Van Toffler is producer. Alicia Portugal is co-executive producer. Jackie Barba is executive in charge of production. Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent. Lisa Lauricella is executive in charge of music talent.
This marks Toffler’s return to the show following a decade-long absence.
