Pop superstar Lady Gaga surprised fans at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) by leaving the ceremony shortly after receiving one of the night’s biggest awards.
The 39-year-old singer appeared on stage at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, to accept the Artist of the Year award. She told the audience she had to leave promptly to return to Manhattan for her sold-out Madison Square Garden show, part of her Mayhem Ball Tour.
“I wish I could stay and watch all these amazing performances, but I have to go back to Madison Square Garden. Love you. Thank you,” Gaga said before making a quick exit.
She dedicated the award to her fiancé, businessman Michael Polansky, calling him her “greatest support.” Her brief appearance drew significant attention from fans and fellow artists alike.
The exit came after a packed weekend for Lady Gaga, who had recorded her VMAs performance a day earlier during her Madison Square Garden concert. MTV later broadcast the footage, which featured performances of her singles “Abracadabra” and “Dead Dance,” the latter linked to Netflix’s Wednesday series.
This appearance marked Gaga’s first return to the VMAs in five years. She led the night with 12 nominations, including Video of the Year for her duet with Bruno Mars, “Dying With A Smile.” The same track was nominated for Best Pop, Best Collaboration, and Song of the Year. Her album Mayhem received a Best Album nomination, and the video for “Abracadabra” was up for Best Direction, Best Art Direction, and Best Cinematography.
The Mayhem Ball Tour has been praised as one of Lady Gaga’s most ambitious productions. Despite a brief disruption due to vocal strain, the tour continues across major cities in the U.S. and Canada and will expand to the United Kingdom and Europe later this year.
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