The first slate of performers for the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards have been announced, with Sabrina Carpenter, J Balvin, and Alex Warren all set to take the stage.
For Carpenter, she’ll be returning to the VMAs after making her debut at the show last year, where she also won Song of the Year for “Espresso.” Carpenter is up for eight awards this time around, including Video of the Year for “Manchild,” off her upcoming LP, Man’s Best Friend.
Meanwhile, J Balvin is slated to perform his new single, “Zun Zun,” alongside Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez, after which he’ll take the stage with DJ Snake for the live debut of their new song, “Noventa.” (This will mark DJ Snake’s first time performing at the VMAs, as well.) Balvin is nominated for one VMA this year, Best Latin, for his song, “Rio.”
The 2025 VMAs will feature two debut performances from Warren and singer-songwriter Sombr. Both artists are up for Best New Artist, while Warren is also nominated for Best Pop and Song of the Year for “Ordinary.” And Sombr is nominated for Best Alternative for his breakthrough tune, “Back to Friends.”
Along with the initial slate of performances, the VMAs also revealed their first two major honorees for 2025. Ricky Martin is set to receive the first Latin Icon Award, returning to the VMAs 26 years after making history as the first male Latin artist to win Best Pop Video in 1999 for “Livin’ la Vida Loca.”
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And Busta Rhymes will be recognized with the inaugural MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award. Busta has been a VMAs staple since first appearing on the show in 1997. He most recently delivered a career-spanning medley to close out the 2021 ceremony, and last year he was honored with the Global Icon prize at the 2024 MTV European Music Awards.
The 2025 VMAs are slated to air live Sept. 7 on CBS from the UBS Arena in New York. LL Cool J will host the show.
