Ariana Grande accepting her video of the year award at the 2025 MTV VMAs. Arturo Holmes/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Share to Flipboard Send an Email Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Print the Article Post a Comment Ariana Grande won the top prize of video of the year for "Brighter Days Ahead" at the 2025 Video Music Awards on Sunday night. Grande took to the stage with the music video's director, Christian Breslauer, to accept the award. "I want to start off again with my fans, thank you so so so much. I love you with all my heart. I have since I was a teenager, since we first crossed paths and I will for my whole life. Art has been a safe space for me since I was a kid," she said. "I'm so grateful that I get to do this with my life and to have such fiercely loving and supportive fans. Thank you for growing with me and being so supportive of me as a human being, navigating in real time which creative itch needs to be scratched next, whether it's acting, music, musical theater or a little bit of tour." Related Stories TV Creative Arts Emmys, Night Two: Full List of Winners Lifestyle Best Dressed Stars at the 2025 MTV VMAs: Doja Cat, Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande and More The "We Can't Be Friends" singer continued: "This project is about the hard work that is healing all different kinds of trauma and coming home to our young selves and creating safety in our own lives, which is a lifelong process and a daily exercise. If you're on that journey, please continue onward, because I promise there are brighter days ahead." The 2025 VMAs was also marked Grande's first time back since 2020. She beat out fellow video of the year nominees Billie Eilish with "Birds of a Feather," Kendrick Lamar with "Not Like Us," Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars with "Die With A Smile," Rosé and Bruno Mars with "Apt.," Sabrina Carpenter with "Manchild" and The Weeknd and Playboi Carti with "Timeless." The prize is known as the most coveted award at the VMAs. In the music video, Grande is covered in prosthetic makeup to play an elderly woman named Peaches who uses a procedure to erase a relationship from her mind and has to revisit four other major memories from her life. However, she experiences a memory from her father's perspective of him grieving her death. Grande's real dad, Edward Butera, stars in the video alongside her. Earlier in the night, the Wicked star also won a moon man trophy for best pop artist, where she said, "Thank you to my therapists and gay people, I love you!," in her speech. Other notable wins of the night included Sabrina Carpenter for album of the year, Lady Gaga for artist of the year and Alex Warren for best new artist. Next up for Grande, she will portray Glinda the good witch again in Wicked: For Good, which is set to release in theaters Nov. 21. As far as music, she is making her grand return to touring after seven years for the Eternal Sunshine tour beginning June 6, 2026. LL Cool J hosted the 2025 VMAs, held at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. Find the complete list of winners list here and the red carpet looks here. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up VMAs 2025 'KPop Demon Hunters' Singers EJAE, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna Present at 2025 VMAs VMAs 2025 Mariah Carey Receives First VMA With Video Vanguard Award: "What in the Sam Hill Took You So Long?!" VMAs 2025 "Ozzy Forever!": Osbourne Honored at MTV VMAs With Tribute From Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Yungblud and Nuno Bettencourt VMAs 2025 Sabrina Carpenter Includes "Protect Trans Rights" Sign During "Tears" Performance at 2025 MTV VMAs VMAs 2025 Tate McRae Heats Up 2025 MTV VMAs With Performance of "Revolving Door" and "Sports Car" VMAs 2025 Busta Rhymes Performs Medley, Pays Tribute to Ananda Lewis While Accepting Rock the Bells Visionary Award at 2025 MTV VMAs VMAs 2025 'KPop Demon Hunters' Singers EJAE, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna Present at 2025 VMAs VMAs 2025 Mariah Carey Receives First VMA With Video Vanguard Award: "What in the Sam Hill Took You So Long?!" VMAs 2025 "Ozzy Forever!": Osbourne Honored at MTV VMAs With Tribute From Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Yungblud and Nuno Bettencourt VMAs 2025 Sabrina Carpenter Includes "Protect Trans Rights" Sign During "Tears" Performance at 2025 MTV VMAs VMAs 2025 Tate McRae Heats Up 2025 MTV VMAs With Performance of "Revolving Door" and "Sports Car" VMAs 2025 Busta Rhymes Performs Medley, Pays Tribute to Ananda Lewis While Accepting Rock the Bells Visionary Award at 2025 MTV VMAs