The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) have long been the pinnacle of wild performances, extravagant fashion choices, and moments that fuel gossip and viral content. On September 7, 2025, at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, the VMAs delivered yet another memorable night—one that was packed with unforgettable moments. While the stars shined in their glittering gowns, eccentric performances, and jaw-dropping fashion, not everything that went down was pure glamour. Some of the night’s most talked-about moments quickly turned from glitzy to cringeworthy, leaving fans and critics alike shaking their heads.
From Mariah Carey’s sassy “roast” to YUNGBLUD’s uncomfortable red carpet antics, these moments had the internet buzzing for all the wrong reasons. Let’s dive into the top 10 most “tasteless” moments from the 2025 VMAs—ones that are sure to be remembered, but probably not for the reasons the celebrities intended.
1. Sabrina Carpenter’s Trans Protest – A Performance That Divided the Audience
Sabrina Carpenter, known for her bold performances and unapologetic activism, took her message to the VMAs stage in a big way. The pop icon performed her single Tears, dancing in the rain alongside well-known drag queens like Honey Balenciaga, Symone, and Richie Shazamdrag. The backdrop was adorned with signs that read “In trans we trust” and “Protect trans rights,” sending a clear message of support for the trans community.
However, the performance didn’t exactly go as planned. While Sabrina’s intentions may have been rooted in activism, the act was quickly criticized by some fans who accused her of “fetishizing” the trans community and making the protest feel like a “campaign rally” instead of a genuine expression of support. Many felt the act was performative, with one critic commenting, “If celebs actually cared, they’d be donating money, not holding cardboard on stage.”
Though the performance was intended to spark a conversation, it left many wondering if it was more about the shock value than real support. Some online fans even went as far as to say, “Way to ruin your career, Sabrina.”
2. Doja Cat Eating Lipstick – A Red Carpet Stunt Gone Too Far
Doja Cat is no stranger to controversial moments, and her appearance at the 2025 VMAs was no exception. Posing on the red carpet, the Paint the Town Red singer performed a bizarre stunt that left many fans in disbelief. After reapplying her lipstick in front of flashing cameras, Doja took it a step further—she bit down on the lipstick and began chewing it, eventually swallowing the whole thing.
While some onlookers found it entertaining, others criticized her for trying too hard to gain attention, with one netizen writing, “She thought she ate.” As the global ambassador for MAC Cosmetics, the lipstick she consumed was from the same brand, which only fueled the conversation around whether this act was a desperate attempt to be meme-worthy. The stunt raised questions about what it truly means to be iconic in the social media age and whether the quest for viral moments has gone too far.
Doja Cat shocked everyone on the VMAs red carpet—she actually ate her lipstick! Watch this video to see the unexpected moment unfold.
3. Mariah Carey Calling Out The VMAs – A Legendary Roast
Mariah Carey, the “Queen of Christmas” and pop music royalty, received her first-ever VMA in 2025, finally being honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award after decades of groundbreaking music. However, the moment took a turn when Mariah used her acceptance speech to call out the VMAs for their history of snubbing her.
“What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?” Mariah playfully quipped, poking fun at the fact that, despite her massive influence and six Grammy Awards, she had never been given a VMA until then. The internet erupted, with fans expressing disbelief that Mariah hadn’t received the honor much earlier in her career, calling the situation “criminal.”
Mariah’s comments were seen as a legendary roast of the VMAs, with one fan calling it “the most iconic speech of the night.”
Mariah Carey jokingly calls out MTV during her Video Vanguard acceptance speech at the #VMAs:
“What in the Sam Hell were you waiting for?”
— Fan | Mariah Carey Charts (@chartmariah) September 8, 2025
4. Ariana Grande’s Mic Fail – Height Issues and Awkward Moments
Ariana Grande, standing at just 5’3″, had a bit of a technical issue while delivering her acceptance speech at the VMAs. The mic, which was poorly placed on stage, was too high for the petite singer, causing her to awkwardly reach for it. Ariana was seen standing on her tiptoes in an attempt to position herself near the mic, which led to some uncomfortable visuals captured by the cameras.
“Does this get taller every time?” Ariana asked, frustrated by the mic placement. Fans online quickly took notice, with some calling the situation “rude” for not adjusting the mic to accommodate her height. “MTV needs to improve mic placement,” one user wrote, echoing a sentiment that many others shared.
5. Lady Gaga’s Pre-Recorded Performance – Fans Were Not Impressed
Lady Gaga taping a portion of “Abracadabra” for her VMA performance tonight at Madison Square Garden
🎥: mii_chi10/IG pic.twitter.com/PwCI3aNtU3
— Gaga Daily (@gagadaily) September 7, 2025
Lady Gaga, despite being present at the VMAs, chose not to perform live, much to the disappointment of her fans. Instead, she delivered a pre-recorded performance, singing her hits like Abracadabra and The Dead Dance. The reason for the pre-taped set was her need to rush off to a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden, which coincided with the VMAs ceremony.
While some fans understood the scheduling conflict, many were upset that Gaga didn’t perform live, especially considering that she had just won Artist of the Year. “Gaga sent in a recorded performance despite being there?” one fan wrote, while another said, “I don’t know who is behind production of this mess, but I give them an F.”
6. Frankie Grande’s Reaction to Tate McRae – The Shady Backstage Moment
Ariana Grande’s half-brother, Frankie Grande, was caught on camera subtly throwing shade at singer Tate McRae during her VMAs performance. As Tate performed her hit songs Revolving Door and Sports Car, Frankie was seen making a disgusted expression and shaking his head, which prompted fans to label him as “fake.”
After the performance, Frankie was seen posing for pictures with Tate, acting all smiles and cordial. Fans immediately called him out for being “shady” and “mean,” commenting that his behavior looked rehearsed and fake.
7. YUNGBLUD Showing His Bush – Fashion or Tastelessness?
YUNGBLUD, known for his rebellious fashion choices, shocked the red carpet with a daring outfit that showed off more than just his personality. Wearing leather pants and no shirt, he removed his jacket to reveal his low-rise pants—and his pubic hair. This bold look quickly divided opinions.
While some fans applauded YUNGBLUD for his unapologetic approach to fashion, others deemed the exposure as “tasteless.” “Pull those trousers up, we don’t want to see all that,” one user commented, while another wrote, “YUNGBLUD showing bush on the carpet is just tasteless.”
8. No One Standing Up to Congratulate Rosé – The Awkward VMA Moment
BLACKPINK’s Rosé had an awkward moment at the VMAs when she won Song of the Year for APT but was left standing alone. While other artists stood to congratulate her, Rosé’s director, Daniel Ramos, remained seated. The singer, visibly expecting a hug or some recognition, turned towards him but was left alone as she walked to the stage.
The moment was captured by cameras and went viral, with many fans commenting on how awkward and uncomfortable it was. “Y’all, look at this… she wanted a hug moment but no one was getting up?” one fan wrote, feeling the tension in the room.
Rosé and Bruno Mars take home Song of the Year at the 2025 VMAs, but an awkward moment steals the spotlight—no one stands to congratulate Rosé! Watch the video to witness the tense moment.
9. KATSEYE’s Reaction to Custom Labubu Dolls – Forced Smiles and Uneasy Reactions
The KATSEYE girls were gifted custom Labubu dolls on the red carpet, but their reactions didn’t exactly convey excitement. As the dolls were handed out one by one, Manon was caught on camera trying to suppress a laugh, throwing a side-eye glance at Lara, clearly unimpressed by the gift. The awkward reactions were noticed by eagle-eyed fans, who quickly took to social media to comment on how uncomfortable the moment seemed.
One fan wrote, “They did NOT want those,” while another commented, “Manon: Dude, really? Was it necessary?”
KATSEYE reacts to their custom Labubus gifted to them at the #VMAs. pic.twitter.com/qFnt22TEN1
— Pop Base (@PopBase) September 8, 2025
10. Mariah Carey Doing Bare Minimum on Stage – A Disappointing Performance
Mariah Carey’s performance at the VMAs after receiving the Video Vanguard Award left many fans disappointed. Despite her incredible legacy, her performance was criticized as lackluster and boring, with many accusing her of lip-syncing.
On one of the biggest music nights of the year, the diva delivered a medley of her iconic hits, but social media users were quick to call her out for barely moving on stage and lip-syncing without even trying to hide it. “Mariah Carey doing the bare minimum…” one fan wrote, adding, “Lip-syncs and doesn’t even try to hide it.”
I love that Mariah Carey is at the point in her life that she’s such a legend, that for her VMA Vangaurd performance she’s just brought the look and voice, and isn’t messing with doing anything but walking 10 steps!
She should probably be carried everywhere, TBH 👏🏽! pic.twitter.com/IPKV2ipLjK
— Nadine Babu (@NadineBabu) September 8, 2025
Final Thoughts: A Night of Fashion, Drama, and Unforgettable Moments
The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards gave us moments of pure glamour, but it also left us with plenty of awkward and controversial scenes that had fans buzzing. From Sabrina Carpenter’s protest to Mariah Carey’s lackluster performance, the night proved that anything can happen at the VMAs. Whether it was intentional or not, these moments reminded us that the VMAs will always be a stage for both iconic performances and cringe-worthy slip-ups. These moments will live on in internet memes, social media threads, and discussions for years to come, proving once again that the VMAs are never short of surprises.
