Lady Gaga is running a little late to her sixth concert at Madison Square Garden on the Mayhem Ball Tour. She had to make a quick stop at another arena beforehand, swinging by UBS Arena to accept the award for Artist of the Year at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.
“I wish I could stay and watch all these amazing performances, but I have to go back to Madison Square Garden,” Gaga said at the conclusion of her lengthy speech. In true Mother Monster fashion, her speech expressed adoration for her artistry and fandom, and was delivered while she wore an extravagant fashion ensemble full of black ruffles.
“Getting ready for the show, I thought how much it would mean to me to win this award tonight, and I cannot begin to tell you what this means to me,” Gaga told the audience, which was full of Little Monsters with their paws up. “I thought about what it means to be rewarded for being an artist, being rewarded for something that is already so rewarding.”
She added, “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. I hope as you navigate through the mayhem of daily life, you are reminded of the importance of the art of your life that you can count on yourself and your simple skills to keep you whole, your rehearsal, your discipline, your craft, deserves to be rewarded for its passion.”
Gaga reminded those listening, “The way you move through your life is iconic and rare. It is entirely yours.” She decided the win to her audience, as well as her fiancé, Michael Polansky. “To my partner in all things, Michael, creating this year with you was a beautiful, beautiful dream, and you have been my partner every step of the way,” she said. “I dedicate this to you too, my love.”
Lady Gaga was announced as a performer for the 2025 VMAs, though her performance was pre-recorded during one of her Madison Square Garden concerts in August. Gaga led all nominees this year with an impressive 12 nods, thanks largely to her collaboration with Bruno Mars, “Die With a Smile,” which is up for Video and Song of the Year, as well as Best Collaboration. Along with Artist of the Year, the singer’s Mayhem is up for Album of the Year.
