Even while juggling a sold-out international tour, Lady Gaga made sure her presence at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards was unforgettable, though not exactly in the way fans might have expected.
Despite performing across town at Madison Square Garden the same night, the pop icon still managed to take home one of the evening’s top honors, and debut a dazzling performance that, yes, was prerecorded, but no less theatrical.
How Gaga Pulled Off Her Double-Duty Night
The 14-time Grammy winner and LGBTQ+ icon prerecorded her VMAs performance during her Sept. 6 stop at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The decision to film ahead of time wasn’t a diva move, it was a scheduling necessity. While the VMAs aired live from UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, Gaga was literally in the middle of her critically acclaimed MAYHEM Ball Tour.
Rather than sit this year out, the “Abracadabra” singer made sure to give fans, and her fellow artists, a jaw-dropping performance. The show-stopping segment was a high-concept blend of avant-garde visuals, wild choreography, and the otherworldly aesthetic that only Gaga can deliver.
While fans at the awards show watched her performance on-screen, the crowd at MSG got to witness it live in all its chaos and glamour. Gaga, now 39, made it a night to remember for both audiences.
A Quick Appearance, and a Powerful Speech
Despite the logistical juggling act, Gaga did briefly appear at the VMAs in person, taking the stage early in the evening to accept the coveted Artist of the Year award.
Clad in a sculptural, shimmering ensemble (because of course), she delivered a deeply moving speech about what it means to be an artist in 2025, and why it’s never been more important.
“Being an artist is a discipline,” she said. “It’s a craft meant for reaching into someone’s heart, where it grows roots, and reminding them to dream. Being an artist is a responsibility—to make the audience smile, dance, cry, and release.”
She dedicated the award to her fans, whom she lovingly calls her Little Monsters.
“You deserve a stage to shine on. I give you all my applause,” she added. “Thank you for always supporting me, and for always supporting the monster in me.”
Her time at UBS Arena was brief, though. Gaga exited the stage with a heartfelt farewell: “I wish I could stay and watch all these amazing performances, but I have to go back to Madison Square Garden.”
VMAs, Mayhem, and a Monster-Sized Year
Gaga entered the 2025 VMAs with 12 nominations, including Artist of the Year, Best Album for Mayhem, and multiple nods for her music video “Abracadabra,” including Best Direction, Best Art Direction, and Best Cinematography.
She also scored a string of nominations alongside longtime friend and collaborator Bruno Mars, thanks to their chart-topping duet, “Die with a Smile.” The soulful, disco-inspired track earned recognition in categories like Best Pop, Best Collaboration, Song of the Year, and Video of the Year.
Her MAYHEM album, which dropped in March, has dominated playlists and concert venues alike. The tour, which includes stops in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, and cities across Europe, has showcased a bolder, darker Gaga. With theatrical stage design, aggressive couture, and a return to her Born This Way-era intensity, The MAYHEM Ball is Gaga at her most experimental—and perhaps most personal.
A Minor Setback in Miami
Just days before her epic VMAs weekend, Gaga was forced to cancel her Miami show on Sept. 3 due to vocal strain. She took to Instagram to explain the tough decision, writing:
“During rehearsal last night and my vocal warm-up tonight, my voice was extremely strained, and both my doctor and vocal coach advised me not to go on.”
Gaga, who is known for singing live every night, expressed concern about long-term damage if she pushed herself too far.
“Even though this was a hard and agonizing decision, I would be more afraid of the long-term implications on my voice,” she said. “I hope you can forgive me.”
Miami’s Kaseya Center also confirmed the cancellation and promised fans that details on a rescheduled show or refund process would be announced soon.
Love on Tour
While MAYHEM is full of fire and fury, Gaga has also shared some softer moments with fans this tour, particularly when it comes to her fiancé, Michael Polansky.
During a Los Angeles stop, she gave him a loving shout-out onstage, calling him “the love of my life.” At another performance, she broke down in tears while revealing how Polansky gave her a pre-show pep talk to help manage nerves. The raw emotion only reinforced the vulnerability and realness fans have come to love her for.
