Mariah Carey has one question after first ever win at MTV Video Music Awards

Mariah Carey finally won her first ever MTV Video Music Award at last night’s 2025 VMAs ceremony.

The All I Want For Christmas Is You pop icon was recognised with the prestigious Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award on Sunday, almost 31 years after her first nomination.

She’s been on the shortlist nine times since 1996, and over the weekend she was finally honoured for her song Type Dangerous.

‘Thank you so much MTV for giving me the Vanguard award. I can’t believe I’m getting my first VMA tonight,’ she said.

In a tongue in cheek moment, she quipped: ‘I just have one question, what in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?

‘I’m just kidding I love you MTV.’

After accepting the prize, Mariah delivered a medley covering her 35-year career – despite not believing in the concept of time – performing the likes of Fantasy, Heartbreak, Type Dangerous and Sugar Sweet.

The became the oldest ever recipient of the Vanguard prize at age 56, while the performance was her first at the VMAs since 2005 when she was promoting The Emancipation of Mimi.

Meanwhile, Lady Gaga has plenty of history at the VMAs, and was the big winner of the night with four awards, including accepting artist of the year at the beginning of the ceremony.

However, she didn’t hang around, leaving the event just 15 minutes in because she had to rush over to Madison Square Garden for a stop on her Mayhem Ball tour.

‘I wish I could stay and watch all these amazing performances, but I have to go back to Madison Square Garden,’ she said in her acceptance speech.

She went on to pay tribute to her fellow musicians and creatives, adding: ‘Being an artist is an attempt to connect the souls of people all over the world.

‘Being an artist is a discipline, a craft meant for reaching into someone’s heart, where it grows its roots, and reminding them to dream.

‘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.’

Gaga and Bruno Mars’ hit Die With A Smile earned them the best collaboration Moon Man statuette, while she has also been recognised with best direction and best art direction for her Abracadabra video.

It was also a successful night for Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande, who both won two awards a piece.

For Sabrina, Short ‘n’ Sweet was named best album, while she also got named best pop artist, and Manchild won the best visual effects award.

Ariana took home the prizes for best pop, and both video of the year and best long form video for Brighter Days Ahead.

Other big performers on the night included Ricky Martin, and Busta Rhymes, who was the inaugural winner of the Rock the Bells Visionary Award.

There was also a special performance in honour of Ozzy Osbourne, as Aerosmith icons Steven Tyler and Joe Perry were joined by Yungblud and Nuno Bettencourt.

‘I wish we could be there with you all tonight as you celebrate my dad’s amazing musical journey,’ the Black Sabbath legend’s son Jack Osbourne said in a video introducing the tribute.

‘I know for sure it would make him incredibly happy to see these great musicians carry on his legacy and help inspire the next generation of rockers.’

Yungblud sang Crazy Train and Changes before the Aerosmith duo played Mama I’m Coming Home, before the came together for the end of the song.

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