Lady Gaga Tops 2025 MTV VMAs Nominations as New Country Category Makes History
The Lady Gaga VMAs 2025 nominations have been officially announced, setting the stage for a star-studded showdown. Notably, Lady Gaga leads with 12 nods, thanks largely to her chart-topping duet “Die With a Smile” with Bruno Mars. Meanwhile, Mars isn’t far behind, earning 11 nominations himself.
Furthermore, this duet has been a global hit, dominating streaming platforms, TikTok trends, and radio airplay. In addition, the track’s cinematic music video has received widespread praise for its artistry and storytelling, thereby helping secure Gaga’s top spot on the nominations list.
Alongside Mars and Gaga, other high-profile nominees include Kendrick Lamar, ROSÉ of BLACKPINK, and Sabrina Carpenter, all of whom have earned well-deserved recognition for their standout releases.
Lady Gaga’s Road to VMA History
With 18 MTV Video Music Awards to her name, Lady Gaga’s VMAs 2025 nominations continue to build her legacy as she inches closer to the top of the all-time leaderboard. Currently, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé share the record for most VMA wins, tied at 30 each.
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Gaga’s career has been defined by innovation, reinvention, and fearlessness—qualities that the VMAs have consistently celebrated for more than a decade.
From her unforgettable 2009 “Paparazzi” performance to the iconic meat dress moment and her high-concept 2020 pandemic set, she has consistently delivered performances that make headlines and spark cultural conversations.
Country Music Earns a Spotlight at the VMAs
For the first time in its 42-year history, the MTV Video Music Awards are officially recognizing country music with the debut of the Best Country category. This addition marks a significant cultural shift, reflecting the genre’s increasing influence on mainstream pop culture and streaming platforms.
Specifically, the nominees for the inaugural Best Country Video category are:
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Chris Stapleton – “Think I’m in Love With You”
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Cody Johnson ft. Carrie Underwood – “I’m Gonna Love You”
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Jelly Roll – “Liar”
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Lainey Wilson – “4x4xU”
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Megan Moroney – “Am I Okay?”
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Morgan Wallen – “Smile”
Beyond this new category, country artists are also making waves in other major fields. Ella Langley, Luke Combs, and Morgan Wallen are all competing for Artist of the Year, thereby cementing the genre’s expanding crossover appeal.
How Country Music Broke Into the VMAs Mainstream
Over the past few years, country music has steadily broken into the mainstream pop conversation. Indeed, this gradual rise has attracted increasing attention from a broader audience.
For instance, artists like Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson have not only topped country charts but have also landed in the Billboard Hot 100’s top spots. Moreover, social media platforms like TikTok have played a significant role in introducing younger audiences to country hits.
At the same time, these platforms have simultaneously promoted genre-blending collaborations that are reshaping the music landscape. Additionally, these unexpected collaborations have helped blend genres in new and exciting ways.
Consequently, country music’s influence continues to expand across diverse listener groups. Overall, this trend highlights the growing crossover appeal of the genre.
