Lady Gaga is leading the charge at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, earning the most nominations of any artist this year with a total of 12. This impressive showing puts her ahead of longtime VMA favorite Taylor Swift and marks the third time in her career that Gaga has topped the list of nominees, following similar accomplishments in 2010 and 2020.

Her latest album, Mayhem, has been a major force behind her domination this year. The record blends experimental pop with Gaga’s signature theatrical flair, pushing boundaries both musically and visually. The single “Abracadabra” has gained widespread attention for its cinematic music video, while her duet with Bruno Mars, “Die With a Smile,” is shaping up to be a standout in several major categories.

Gaga’s nominations span across both artistic and technical fields. She’s up for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Video of the Year. In addition, she's also nominated in categories like Best Direction, Cinematography, Choreography, Visual Effects, and more—demonstrating her strong creative control and influence over her entire body of work.

This year’s competition is fierce, with major artists like Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd also in the running. But Gaga’s mix of innovation, star power, and consistency could give her an edge. In particular, “Die With a Smile” is considered a front-runner for Video of the Year thanks to its high-concept direction and emotional impact.

Interestingly, despite her success, Gaga was left out of the new “Best Pop Artist” category—a surprising omission given her iconic status in the genre. Still, her overall presence across the major awards categories suggests that she remains one of the most influential and relevant figures in music today.

The 2025 VMAs will air live on September 7 from Long Island’s UBS Arena and will be broadcast nationwide. Fans can vote daily through early September, with interactive features adding extra excitement to the lead-up.

With 18 VMAs already under her belt, Gaga has a chance to make history once again. Whether or not she sweeps the awards, her wide-ranging nominations this year reaffirm her position not just as a performer, but as a creative force who continues to reshape the pop landscape.