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Lady Gaga made a brief but memorable appearance at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards on September 7, accepting the Artist of the Year award at UBS Arena in New York before rushing off to another commitment. The pop star explained that she had to leave just minutes into the show to return to Madison Square Garden, where she was headlining her Mayhem Ball concert that same evening. With both events scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET, Gaga’s concert was set for 9:30 p.m., giving her only enough time to travel across Manhattan and prepare for her performance.
During her short acceptance speech, Gaga reflected on the meaning of artistry, emphasizing connection, discipline, and responsibility. She said, “Being an artist is an attempt to connect the souls of people all over the world… a method of building understanding and celebrating community.” She also dedicated her award to her fiancé, Michael Polansky, who collaborated with her on several tracks from the Mayhem Ball album, including Blade of Grass, inspired by his proposal.
The VMAs that night, hosted by LL Cool J, featured stiff competition among top nominees, including Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar, and Rosé. Bruno Mars had a particularly strong year with collaborations like Die With a Smile with Gaga and APT with Rosé, both reaching the top five on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite her short stay, Gaga’s speech and dedication highlighted her artistry and commitment to both her music and her fans.