MTV VMAs LIVE: Award ceremony begins as Gaga takes out Artist of the Year

Kenny G, America’s favourite smooth jazz saxophonist, has opened the VMAs (file that under: sentences I never thought I’d write). The dulcet tones of Mr G’s saxophone provided a stellar opening to Doja Cat’s Jealous Type.

Doja Cat is always impressive, but quite frankly, more awards ceremonies should begin with woodwind instruments played by 1980s icons.

I hope this is a sign of things to come. Looking forward to seeing Michael Bolton play the flute before Sabrina Carpenter takes the stage.

It was back to school for Glorilla in a plaid ensemble from British designer Helen Anthony’s spring 2025 collection. The matching skirt, corset, shirt, tie and jacket in a print resembling my parents’ fold-out couch was brought to life with an eye-catching white socks and stiletto combination.

Glorilla (Gloria Hallelujah Woods) is nominated for best hip-hop with Sexyy Redd for Whatchu Kno About Me.

Glorilla and Ice Spice at the 2025 VMAs.Credit: Getty Images

Glorilla’s touch of tartan was supported by plaid devotee Ice Spice, who raided Ralph Lauren’s archives for her denim patchwork skirt and corset top. The outfit first appeared on the runway more than 20 years ago in Lauren’s spring 2003 collection, a favourite with vintage collectors.

Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, YUNGBLUD and Nuno Bettencourt will do a performance honouring Ozzy Osbourne, who died in July at age 76.

The Black Sabbath frontman was a five-time Grammy winner and a two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, according to the VMAs, which announced the medley performance on Friday.

When Ariana Grande’s custom Fendi gown for the VMAs appeared in the Italian luxury label’s resort 2026 collection, the hemline grazed the knee. That wasn’t going to work for the singer and her stylist Law Roach, taking a break from his duties on television’s Project Runway and working with Zendaya.

Ariana Grande at the 2025 VMAs.Credit: Getty Images

Grande had the strapless, polka dot print dress extended to the ground for her first appearance at the awards ceremony in five years. Grande is nominated for several awards this year, including video of the year for Brighter Days Ahead as well as best pop artist.

The pale pink peplum, contrasting with the black gown, was just a taster of Grande’s press tour for the Wicked sequel later this year, when she will no doubt be championing her character Glinda’s signature colour.

They’re two of the biggest pop stars of all time, and now one of them stands to make history.

Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, who each have a total of 30 VMA wins to their names, are both up for artist of the year. It’s the only category they are both nominated in. But if one of them takes home the award, they’ll make history as the artist with the most ever VMA wins.

The pair have a chequered history at the VMAs, with the infamous Kanye West stage storming (“I’mma let her finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time! “) taking place at the 2009 ceremony.

Despite so much being at stake, it’s not clear whether either Beyoncé or Swift will actually make an appearance this evening.

Beyoncé has been rumoured to appear, while Swift has already announced her next album, The Life of a Showgirl, giving her less incentive to show up. Anyway, watch this space!

The full spectrum of male rock star fashion is on display at the VMAs with Australian rapper Kid Laroi suited up like David Byrne, the lead singer of Talking Heads, while Yungblud takes the nearly nude, could perhaps do with a bath, approach.

The 28-year-old Yungblud (real name Dominic Harrison) arrived at the red carpet with a matching trenchcoat for his leather pants and boots, but ditched the outerwear to strike poses for the cameras.

Kid Laroi and Yungblud at the 2025 VMAs.Credit: Getty Images

His crucifix necklace stayed in place, a tribute to the late rocker Ozzy Osbourne.

“He’s here with me,” Yungblud told E! News on the red carpet. “I’ve got his cross on, Ozzy forever, man.”

Kid Laroi (real name Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard), 22, wore an oversized white suit with a buttoned-up black shirt. Laroi is performing alongside Bailey Zimmerman at the awards show.

A stunned Alex Warren has taken out the best new artist award. “This is really cool,” he said.

But Warren seemed more impressed with the star power around him.

“I just ran into Ariana Grande,” he said. “I refuse to believe she’s a real person.”

Other early winners were Mariah Carey, who won best R&B for Type Dangerous, while best country went to Megan Moroney.

Sabrina Carpenter is celebrating the release of her new album Man’s Best Friend but looks like she might be jumping on the Taylor Swift bandwagon. At the VMA’s the performer who has eight nominations, including for best album with Short n’ Sweet and best video for Manchild, looked like the perfect advertisement for Taylor Swift’s upcoming The Life of a Showgirl album.

Sabrina Carpenter in Valentino at the 2025 VMAs.Credit: Getty Images

Carpenter moved away from her usual retro camp styling in a skin tight red lace, custom gown from Valentino with a lavender, faux fur shrug. The turtleneck silhouette may seem stitched up but the sheer lace brings the burlesque.