Lady Gaga reigns at the 2025 MTV VMAs with a haunting live performance, heartfelt speech and two of the night’s top awards.
With a sense of theatrical mastery only she can conjure, Lady Gaga returned to the MTV VMAs stage and left the world in awe. Performing ‘Abracadabra’ and ‘The Dead Dance’, her newest single for the upcoming season of Wednesday on Netflix, the multi-hyphenate star delivered a spine-tingling set that blended gothic glamour with emotional power.
Dressed in a sculptural red ensemble reminiscent of Victorian shadows, Gaga moved like a spell cast in real time—visceral, haunting and utterly magnetic. Her live vocals soared through layers of cinematic synths, while choreography inspired by the Addams universe brought The Dead Dance to life on stage.
But the night was only beginning for the icon. Gaga took home two of the evening’s most prestigious honours: Artist of the Year and Best Collaboration for ‘Die With a Smile’ alongside Bruno Mars. Both wins were met with standing ovations from an arena packed with fellow artists and fans alike.
Accepting the Artist of the Year award, Lady Gaga shared a deeply personal reflection on her craft: “ Being an artist is a responsibility to make the audience smile, dance, cry, release at any turn. It is a method of building understanding and celebrating community.”
Her words visibly moved fellow nominees, with Ariana Grande shown wiping away tears in the audience.
Beyond her extraordinary talent, Gaga continues to set the gold standard for integrity in the industry. Not a single collaborator or peer has ever spoken ill of her—on the contrary, she’s often praised for her humility, dedication and generosity. As Catherine Zeta-Jones once remarked in an interview, “She lifts everyone up around her”, while countless co-stars and creatives cite her work ethic and warmth behind the scenes.
In an era where stardom can feel manufactured, Lady Gaga remains a rare breed: a true artist, admired not only for what she creates—but for who she is.
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