Lady Gaga accepts the award for artist of the year during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. AP

Lady Gaga kicked off the MTV Video Music Awards with a win for artist of the year, immediately setting the night’s tone.

The show’s top nominee promised a performance later and delivered, hitting the stage at Madison Square Garden after her acceptance speech, which sent the audience into a frenzy at the UBS Arena where the VMAs were being held.

In her earlier remarks, Gaga stressed the deeper meaning of artistry.

“Being an artist is an attempt to connect the souls of people all over the world,” said Gaga, who later performed “Abracadabra” and “The Dead Dance,” a single from the Netflix series “Wednesday.” “Being an artist is a discipline an

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