Rosé accepts the MTV Video Music Award for Song of the Year for 'APT.,' her collaboration with Bruno Mars, during the awards ceremony on September 8, 2025. Screenshot from MTV's YouTube channel
K-pop superstar Rosé of Blackpink and Filipino-American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars won Monday Song of the Year at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAS) for their hit collaboration "APT."
Rosé accepted the award on the duo's behalf, as Mars was not present at the UBS Arena ceremony, and made sure to thank her collaborator, whom she described as her "absolute idol and incredible teacher."
"First of all, thank you so much, Bruno... Thank you so much for believing in me and helping me build this world together. I'm really, really forever grateful for you and our friendship," the 28-year-old singer said.
Rosé dedicated the award "to my 16-year-old self, who dreamed, and to all those who have watched me grow into the artist that I am today."
"This is a really big moment for 16-year-old me and any one else who has dreamed of being accepted equally for their hard work," she said.
She also thanked her parents, staff, fans, and fellow Blackpink members, as well as her agency's head and longtime producer Teddy, whom she called her "forever mentor."
Released in October 2024, the catchy "APT", inspired by a South Korean drinking game, served as a single off Rosé's debut solo album "Rosie."
Meanwhile, Blackpink won Best Group, while member Lisa took home Best K-pop for "Born Again," her collaboration with Doja Cat and Raye from her solo album "Alter Ego."
"I'm so honored to be receiving this award," Lisa, who was also absent from the event, said in a recorded message.
Multinational girl group KATSEYE, which includes Filipino talent Sophia Laforteza, took home the PUSH Performance of the Year for their viral song "Touch."
"We've been through a lot together, so having this moment feels so rewarding and feels like everything has paid off, and fuels us to keep going," member Lara said in her acceptance speech.
The sextet, managed by K-pop giant HYBE and Universal Music Group's Geffen Records, also performed their latest singles "Gnarly" and "Gabriela" at the VMAs pre-show.
Meanwhile, Lady Gaga was named Artist of the Year while Ariana Grande bagged Video of the Year and Best Pop for "brighter days ahead."
Visibly emotional while accepting the evening's most prestigious award, the 32-year-old singer-songwriter and actor delivered an extended thank you to her fans, whom she described as "fiercely loving and supportive."
"Thank you for growing with me and being so supportive of me as a human being," said Grande, who thanked her "therapist and gay people" while accepting her first prize earlier in the night.
Lady Gaga beat industry heavyweights including Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift and The Weeknd for the top artist honor.
The 39-year-old interrupted her concert series to accept the Artist of the Year award on stage and also won Best Collaboration with Bruno Mars for "Die with a Smile".
The evening featured a nostalgic aesthetic with performances by veteran artists including Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes and Ricky Martin, while newer performers like Doja Cat and Tate McRae incorporated choreography heavily borrowed from the 1980s and 1990s.
Notably, rapper Kendrick Lamar, who dominated the recent Grammy Awards with five wins, left empty-handed despite multiple nominations.
Unlike last year's ceremony, which occurred during election season and saw winner Taylor Swift urge fans to vote for Kamala Harris, this year's event appeared to carefully avoid political messaging.
Below is the full list of winners, based on the VMAs X (formerly Twitter) thread:
• Video of the Year: Ariana Grande - "brighter days ahead"
• Artist of the Year: Lady Gaga
• Song of the Year: Rosé & Bruno Mars - "APT."
• Best New Artist: Alex Warren
• Best Pop Artist: Sabrina Carpenter
• Best Group: Blackpink
• PUSH Performance of the Year: KATSEYE - "Touch"
• Best Collaboration: Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars - "Die With A Smile"
• Best Pop: Ariana Grande - "brighter days ahead"
• Best Hip-Hop: Doechii - "Anxiety"
• Best R&B Winner: Mariah Carey - "Type Dangerous"
• Best Alternative: sombr - "back to friends"
• Best Rock: Coldplay - "All My Love"
• Best Latin: Shakira - "Soltera"
• Best K-Pop Winner: Lisa - "Born Again" (ft. Doja Cat & Raye)
• Best Afrobeats: Tyla - "PUSH 2 START"
• Best Country: Megan Moroney - "Am I Okay?"
• Best Album: Sabrina Carpenter - "Short n' Sweet"
• Best Long Form Video: Ariana Grande - "brighter days ahead"
• Video for Good: Charli xcx - "Guess" (ft. Billie Eilish)
• Best Direction: Lady Gaga - "Abracadabra"
• Best Art Direction: Lady Gaga - "Abracadabra"
• Best Cinematography: Kendrick Lamar - "Not Like Us"
• Best Editing: Tate McRae - "Just Keep Watching (From F1 The Movie)"
• Best Choreography: Doechii - "Anxiety"
• Best Visual Effects: Sabrina Carpenter - "Manchild"
• Song of Summer: Tate McRae - "Just Keep Watching (From F1 The Movie)"
• Video Vanguard: Mariah Carey
• MTV VMA Rock The Bells Visionary Award: Busta Rhymes
• Latin Icon: Ricky Martin
-- with a report from Agence France-Presse