HOLLYWOOD—Flowers are truly a sign of love, whether theyare bouquets or planters, they truly inspire. Mariah Carey finally gets her flowers at the 2025 MTV VMA’s with Video Vanguard Award and performance. After 35 years of breaking records, delivering timeless hits, and gifting the world with music video moments that defined pop culture, Mariah finally got her flowers.

On Sunday, September 7, the five-octave icon took home the coveted Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, and the wait was worth it. It was presented by Ariana Grande, Carey strutted to the stage at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY to accept her first-ever VMA. With her signature charm, she teased MTV while reflecting on her decades long career. Her acceptance was so down to earth, “Thank you, MTV, for giving me the Vanguard Award. I can’t believe I’m getting my first VMA tonight.” Carey quipped before dropping the punchline that had the arena howling, I just have one question. What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?

The award was just the beginning of Mariah’s long-awaited VMAs return. For her first performance at the show in 20 years, Carey delivered a glittering medley that doubled as a love letter to her decades-spanning discography. She opened in a champagne silk feather-trimmed robe with “Sugar Sweet,” before peeling it back to reveal a rhinestone-encrusted gold romper and matching knee-high boots. All her high notes were on point. While her voice and stage presence was on fire, it dazzled, and it was almost impossible to ignore her inner and outer glow. Her performance was a showcase of nostalgia. With her 16th studio album, Here for It All, dropping September 26, Carey made it clear she’s still evolving, still creating and still setting the standard. At 56 years old, she’s the oldest artist ever to receive the Vanguard Award, a milestone that matters little to someone who famously refuses to acknowledge time. She once said, “I’m eternally 12.” The moment is historic, placing her alongside legends like Beyonce, Britney Spears, and Michael Jackson himself. Mariah Carey’s 2025 VMA moment was iconic. The fantasy singer sang a medley of her hits, a beautiful moment.

Who could forget about Lady Gaga…she went into the show as the most nominated artist of the evening with 12 nods and she took home four “moon person,” trophies taking her career total to 22. This puts her in third place on the all-time ranking list, ahead of Madonna and behind only Swift and Beyonce, who have 30 each. When collecting the award for artist of the year award, she said: “I can’t begin to tell you what this means to me. “Being an artist is an attempt to connect the should of people all over the world,” She left the arena after collecting her award, but the MTV cameras later followed her across the city to her live concert at Madison Square Garden where she performed Abracadabra and the Dead Dance. She also won awards for best direction and art direction for Abracadabra, as well as best collaboration for her song Die With A Smile alongside Bruno Mars.

Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n Sweet was crowned album of the year, while she was also named as the inaugural best pop artist and took home the visual effects award for Manchild. She delivered a retro-themed performance of Tears alongside a collection of drag queens and trans dancers holding signs reading slogans including “in trans we trust” and “protect the dolls.” Then comes Ricky, the Latin icon winner Ricky Martin showed he can still live La Vida Loca with the best of them, performing a medley of his hits. Accepting his award from Jessica Simpson, Martin said; “We just want to break boundaries, and we just want to keep his music alive.” He credited his fans with his 40-year career; “This is very simple; this is for you all.” He said, “I’m addicted to your applause, that’s why I keep coming back.”

Last but not least, Ozzy Osbourne was remembered. The former Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy, who died in July, with a performance introduced via video message from his son Jack and his children. British star Yungblud joined the likes of Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry to perform tracks from Osbourne’s career Crazy Train, Changes and Mama, I’m Coming Home. Coldplay collected the rock category for All My Love.

Rose’s Scoop: Let’s take a moment of silence to pray, for the family and friends of Charlie Kirk! Let’s also remember the families and victims of 9/11. Hard to believe its 24 years since the terrorist attack, a day that is still remembered vividly on our minds.