This year's MTV Video Music Awards are finally, finally here, which means it's time to get to know the VMAs 2025 performers officially. Each year, celebs from all around the world congregate at the celebration to give us not only some of the most memorable red carpet looks of all time (Lady Gaga's meat dress, anyone?) but also some of the most unforgettable performances, and this year would be no different.
Last year, we saw Chappell Roan dressed as Joan of Arc setting a castle on fire, Sabrina Carpenter making out with an alien, and Video Vanguard Award recipient Katy Perry flying across the stage while belting hits like “Dark Horse," “ET,” “I Kissed A Girl,” and more. This year, another slew of performers is hoping to leave a lasting impression, taking to the 2025 VMAs stage on September 7.
MTV announced the first round of 2025 VMAs performers on August 18, and plenty of familiar faces will be gracing the stage, including nominees Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Alex Warren, sombr, and more. This year's ceremony will also feature Latin superstar aplenty, with legend Ricky Martin and reggaeton staple J Balvin also tapped as performers. Hip-hop icon Busta Rhymes will also take to the stage as a recipient of the MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award.
The second round of performers arrived on August 26, with Conan Gray, Tate McRae, Post Malone, Doja Cat, and more joining the previously announced performers. Since then, Lady Gaga and several artists performing outside of the main show and main stage have also been announced.
Ahead of the show, check out the complete list of 2025 MTV VMAs performers we've gotten so far below — and stay tuned for more additions as September 7 gets closer.
KATSEYE
Teen Vogue cover stars KATSEYE, who are also first-time nominees, will take on the VMAs stage for the very first time during the one-hour Pre-Show, which airs at 7 p.m. ET on MTV, BET, BET Her, Comedy Central, CMT, Logo, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land, and VH1. The group will perform their hit tracks “Gnarly” and “Gabriela” off their latest EP, Beautiful Chaos.
You can also find KATSEYE at Teen Vogue Summit in Los Angeles on Sept. 20, where the group will be telling all about their wild year on a panel with our editors! Get your tickets here.
Lady Gaga
The official VMAs Instagram account confirmed on August 30 that Lady Gaga is set to make her grand return to the 2025 award show stage with a pre-recorded performance. “There will be magic in the air at the 2025 #VMAs because [Lady Gaga] IS PERFORMING!” the caption read. The superstar has been in the midst of her Mayhem Ball Tour, and recently announced a new song from Netflix's Wednesday would debut on September 3.
Lady Gaga has been an MTV icon since 2009, when she performed her song “Paparazzi” with fake blood pouring out of her chest. The following year, she stunned the audience by wearing her infamous meat dress when she won Video of the Year for ”Bad Romance." The last time Lady Gaga performed at the VMAs was in 2020, alongside Ariana Grande.
Sabrina Carpenter
After her showstopping performance from last year and taking home her first Moon Person for Song of the Year, Sabrina Carpenter will be back as a performer for the MTV VMAs 2025, which will be fresh off the debut of her long-anticipated forthcoming album Man's Best Friend. Aside from attending as a performer, Carpenter is also one of the leading nominees this year with eight nods, including the coveted Video of the Year title for “Manchild.”
sombr
Breakout singer-songwriter and producer sombr is a first-time nominee during the 2025 VMAs and will also be making his award show debut during the night. The up-and-coming star is up for Best New Artist and Best Alternative for his hit track “back to friends.”
Alex Warren
Another up-and-coming star that will be gracing the MTV VMAs stage for the first time is MTV PUSH artist Alex Warren. Much like sombr, Warren is also a first-time nominee this year and is up for Best New Artist, Best Pop, and Song of the Year for his hit song “Ordinary.”
Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes will take to the VMAs stage to receive the first-ever MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award, which celebrates his legendary career. This will be the second major title MTV grants the legend, having also received the Global Icon honor at the 2024 MTV EMAs.
J Balvin
J Balvin is set to return to the VMAs stage to perform his new song “Zun Zun" — and he won't be doing so alone. The Colombian singer will be joined on stage by Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez. The star will then be joined by French super producer DJ Snake, who will make his VMAs debut, to premiere their new collab “Noventa.”
Ricky Martin
Latin legend Ricky Martin will return to the VMAs stage to, much like Busta Rhymes, become the first-ever artist to receive the new Latin Icon Award, which honors his trailblazing career spanning four decades. The night will mark the 26th anniversary of his first VMAs performance in 1996, when he achieved another first, becoming the first male Latin artist to win for Best Pop Video.
Conan Gray
Fresh off the release of his fourth studio album Wishbone on August 15, singer-songwriter Conan Gray will take to the VMAs stage to perform his hit single “Vodka Cranberry.” The occasion will mark Gray's debut on the main VMAs stage, having only previously performed on the Extended Play stage in 2022.
Doja Cat
Doja Cat will return to the main stage of the VMAs to put on the first-ever televised performance of her new single “Jealous Type," which was released on August 21, 2025. Doja Cat last graced the VMAs stage in 2023, when she performed a medley of her hits “Attention,” “Paint the Town Red,” and "Demons." She previously served as a host in 2021 and won her first VMA in 2020 for PUSH Best New Artist.
Jelly Roll
American rapper, singer, and songwriter Jason Bradley DeFord, known by his moniker Jelly Roll, will return to the VMAs stage for the second year in a row, having joined Eminem on stage in 2024. Though we don't know what songs he'll perform, he's set to take to the stage on his own during the night for the 2025 VMAs, where he will also compete to bring home his first-ever Moon Person.
Post Malone
Post Malone will grace the VMAs stage for the first time since 2018 as a performer. Per MTV, his performance will “celebrate 20 career nods” at the awards. He is also up for a Moon Person this year, competing for the coveted Best Collaboration award for “Pour Me A Drink," his single with Blake Shelton.
Tate McRae
Canadian pop star Tate McRae will make her main stage VMAs debut at the 2025 ceremony. The 22-year-old will perform on the big stage for the first time during the ceremony, and she's also looking to take home her first Moon Person. She is among the many first-time nominees and up for four awards during the night, including Song of the Year and Best Pop Artist.
Bailey Zimmerman ft. the Kid LAROI
Country star Bailey Zimmerman will grace the VMAs stage for the very first time alongside The Kid LAROI, who will return to the VMAs stage after opening the show with Justin Bieber in 2021. Bailey Zimmerman will also look to take home his first Moonperson, as he is nominated for Best Collaboration and Song of the Summer. The duo will perform on the VMAs Extended Play Stage, presented by Doritos®, which, for the first time, moves in-show.
Lola Young
British singer-songwriter Lola Young will also make her VMAs debut this year on the VMAs Extended Play Stage, presented by Doritos®. The star is slated to perform her hit “Messy” during the night. She's also looking to take home her first Moon Person, with nominations for Best New Artist and Best Alternative.
Megan Moroney
First-time nominee Megan Moroney will also grace the VMAs Extended Play Stage, presented by Doritos®, to perform her song “6 Months Later.” This will mark her VMAs debut for the Best Country nominee.
