Lady Gaga made a brief but unforgettable appearance at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards on September 7, where she accepted the prestigious Artist of the Year award before quickly exiting the ceremony. The pop superstar opened the night at UBS Arena in New York but informed fans that she had to leave for another major commitment.
From the VMAs to the Mayhem Ball
In her acceptance speech, Gaga shared that she was scheduled to perform her Mayhem Ball concert at Madison Square Garden the same night—just 18 miles away. “I wish I could stay and watch all these amazing performances, but I have to go back to Madison Square Garden,” she told the audience.
To make it work, Gaga delayed the concert start time to 9:30 p.m. ET, which she confirmed on Instagram. She left the VMAs just 15 minutes after the show began, making her appearance short but impactful.
A Short Speech with a Lasting Impact
Though her time on stage was brief, Gaga’s speech struck a chord. “Being an artist is an attempt to connect the souls of people all over the world,” she said. “It’s about making people smile, dance, cry, release… and celebrating community.”
A Heartfelt Dedication
Gaga also used the spotlight to dedicate her award to her fiancé, Michael Polansky. He co-wrote several tracks on her Mayhem Ball album, including Blade of Grass, inspired by his proposal. “Creating this year with you was a dream,” Gaga said. “I dedicate this to you, to my love.”
A Star-Studded Night of Music
Hosted by LL Cool J, the VMAs featured top nominees including Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar, Rosé, and Gaga. Bruno Mars dominated charts with Die With a Smile (with Gaga) and APT (with Rosé), both top-five Billboard hits.
#LadyGaga wins the most prestigious award of the night for Artist of the Year at this year's VMA's, and dedicates it to the audience! @ladygaga pic.twitter.com/rde1ScEhKr
— World Music Awards (@WORLDMUSICAWARD) September 8, 2025