Lady Gaga Makes a Grand Return to the VMAs

Despite her busy schedule touring with her “Mayhem” tour, which recently kicked off in Las Vegas, Lady Gaga took time to attend the 2025 MTV VMAs. She was honored with the Artist of the Year award, marking her first appearance at the event since 2020.

Gaga’s striking look for the ceremony featured a dramatic black and purple gown by Marc Jacobs, adorned with oversized ruffles, lace, and intricate beadwork. Her makeup complemented the gothic vibe, with bleached eyebrows, bold copper eyeshadow, and deep red lips. She styled her hair in a teased bun accented with a mauve and burgundy floral headpiece.

Lady Gaga was presented her award by Lenny Kravitz, while Gaga’s makeup and accessories heightened her darkly romantic aesthetic. Her ensemble’s dark glamour was completed with a floral headpiece that matched her outfit’s tones.

Gaga is a leading contender at the awards, with a total of 12 nominations, including Video of the Year for her hit “Die With a Smile,” which broke records by being the fastest song to reach 2 billion streams on Spotify. Other categories include Song of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Best Pop Video.

While Gaga is performing in Madison Square Garden, the awards show, held at UBS Arena, features performances by artists such as Sabrina Carpenter, Ricky Martin, and Mariah Carey.

She previously launched her “Mayhem” tour in July, showcasing her signature spooky costumes and nodding to her career milestones, including her notable 2025 Coachella headlining set.