Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars lead the 2025 MTV VMA nominations with their hit “Die With a Smile,” earning 12 and 11 nods respectively. The powerful collaboration is up for major awards including Video and Song of the Year, making the duo the top contenders for this year’s star-studded event.
The global music stage is buzzing as the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards nominations are officially in—and leading the charge are none other than two of the industry’s biggest icons: Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. Their hauntingly beautiful collaboration, “Die With a Smile,” has taken center stage this awards season, racking up the highest number of nominations across all categories.
Gaga leads with a staggering 12 nominations, while Bruno Mars follows closely with 11, thanks largely to their joint success with the cinematic hit “Die With a Smile.” The duo is being recognized not only for their vocal brilliance but also for their visual storytelling, creative direction, and impact on pop culture.
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“Die With a Smile” isn’t just another duet—it’s a genre-defying ballad that combines Gaga’s theatrical depth with Mars’ soulful edge. Since its release earlier this year, the track has captivated audiences worldwide, with critics calling it “emotionally shattering” and “the best visual experience of 2025.”
The music video, directed by renowned filmmaker Raja Kumari, tells a symbolic tale of love, fame, and mortality. Its haunting visuals, dramatic color palette, and innovative use of dance and slow-motion cinematography have been praised as groundbreaking.
This high-caliber artistry has landed the video nominations in several technical and creative categories:
For Lady Gaga, this marks the third time she’s topped the MTV VMA nomination list—following previous leads in 2010 and 2020. Her latest album, Mayhem, from which “Die With a Smile” originates, has been hailed as a comeback masterpiece that fuses her early avant-garde roots with mature, raw storytelling.
Bruno Mars, known for his consistent chart-topping records and electric performances, earned additional nods for his other major release of the year, “APT.”, a collaboration with K-pop superstar Rosé. Mars’ ability to cross genres effortlessly has made him one of the most nominated male artists of the year.
The 2025 MTV VMAs will be held at the iconic UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on Sunday, September 7. In a historic move, the awards ceremony will air live on CBS, simulcast on MTV, and streamed on Paramount+, allowing global fans to tune in no matter where they are.
The show is expected to feature performances from top nominees including Kendrick Lamar, Rosé, Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande, and The Weeknd, making it one of the most anticipated music nights of the year.
Fan participation remains a major highlight of the VMAs. Voting is open for all major categories at vote.mtv.com and continues until September 5. The Best New Artist category will remain open for fan votes up until the live show airs. This year also sees the introduction of two new categories:
These additions reflect MTV’s evolving recognition of musical diversity and fan demand.
The excitement has also reached Dubai, where local fans, influencers, and entertainment circles are celebrating the nominations. Popular venues like Coca-Cola Arena, The Theatre at MOE, and Warehouse Four are planning live screening events, karaoke nights, and themed parties around the VMA broadcast. Social media in the UAE is buzzing with fan art, tribute dances, and countdowns to the awards.
Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars both have strong fan bases in the Middle East, and their monumental success this year has reignited interest in music as performance art—a blend of sound, story, and visual spectacle.
With less than a month until the big night, speculation is high:
One thing is certain—the 2025 VMAs are shaping up to be a landmark event, and the creative powerhouse of Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars is leading the charge.
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