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2025 MTV VMAs Red Carpet Breakdown: Gaga Rules, Doja Eats Lipstick, Sabrina Carpenter Owns the Night—Plus That Golden Moonbubu!
FASHION / 2025-09-10
The VMAs were pure chaos—in the best way. Forget the trophies for a second, the red carpet alone was a full-on fashion saga: divas, disruptors, and Gen Z powerhouses all delivering headline-worthy looks. Here’s your no-BS recap of the style moments, wins, and the wild little Easter eggs everyone’s talking about.
Doja Cat: Lipstick, but Make It Chocolate
Trust Doja to steal the show. She showed up in a retro Balmain mini, Judith Leiber’s lipstick clutch, and ’80s gold curls. Already a look. But then—mid-Photocall—she pulled out a lipstick, pretended to touch up, and bit into it. Yep, it was chocolate. A stunt straight from M·A·C to announce her as their new global ambassador. Marketing genius, chaotic perfection.
Lady Gaga: Dark Fairytale Queen, Biggest Winner
Marc Jacobs purple-and-black gown, ruffles, lace, and drama—channeling her new album visuals and her track Dead Dance for Netflix’s Wednesday. Nominated in 12, walked away with 4, including Artist of the Year. With Bruno Mars she bagged Best Collaboration (Die with a Smile), plus Best Direction and Best Art Direction for Abracadabra. No meat dress this time, but this gown cements itself as another VMA legend.
Rosé × Bruno Mars: Song of the Year, Obviously
When Bruno Mars is on the track, trophies follow. Their collab APT. won Song of the Year after basically living rent-free on TikTok, radio, and playlists since release. On the carpet, Rosé looked luminous in a butter-yellow Oscar de la Renta gown with Louboutins and Tiffany jewelry. Onstage, she tearfully dedicated the award to her 16-year-old self. Goosebumps.
Sabrina Carpenter: The Red Carpet Dark Horse
Sabrina cleaned up—Album of the Year, Best Pop, Best Visual Effects. Her Valentino couture by Alessandro Michele was all red lace and sheer drama, paired with Tiffany diamonds and her signature fluffy blowout. Onstage, she teased her new record Man’s Best Friend. Talk about striking while the iron’s hot.
Tate McRae: Medusa Energy, Head to Toe
Red carpet in a Ludovic de Saint Sernin sheer gown, then stage visuals pushing the same Medusa vibe—shadows slicing her body as she danced. Tate started as a dancer, broke big in 2020 with You Broke Me First, and is now being dubbed “the next Britney.” The confidence checks out.
Mariah Carey: A Golden Vanguard Moment
Mariah finally got her first-ever VMA—this year’s Video Vanguard Award. She delivered a medley in a crystal-covered gold catsuit, basically her own one-woman Vegas show, then casually dropped news of her new album Here for It All. That golden Moonbubu she carried backstage? A collab between VMAs and Labubu artist Marko Monroe. Only Vanguard winners get the gold version. Legendary.