Lady Gaga surprised fans at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) after making a swift exit from the ceremony moments after receiving one of the night’s major awards.
The 39-year-old performer appeared on stage at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, to accept the Artist of the Year award. She then told the audience she had to leave promptly.
Gaga said she was returning to Manhattan for her sold-out show at Madison Square Garden, which forms 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,” she said. “Love you. Thank you.”
Before leaving, she dedicated the award to her fiancé, businessman Michael Polansky, calling him her “greatest support”.
She exited quickly, drawing attention from fans and artists alike with her brief appearance.
The moment followed a packed weekend for Gaga. A day earlier, she had recorded her VMAs performance during her Madison Square Garden concert.
MTV later broadcast the footage during Sunday’s show, which included performances of her single Abracadabra and Dead Dance, her recent release linked to Netflix’s Wednesday.
The win marked Gaga’s first return to the VMAs in five years. She led nominations on the night with 12, including Video of the Year for Dying With A Smile, her duet with Bruno Mars.
The same track received nominations for Best Pop, Best Collaboration and Song of the Year. Her album Mayhem featured in the Best Album category. The video for "Abracadabra" received nominations for Best Direction, Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography.
Her Mayhem Ball Tour has attracted attention as one of her most ambitious stage productions. The tour, which experienced a brief disruption when vocal strain led to the cancellation of a Miami date, continues across major cities in the United States and Canada. It is set to expand to the United Kingdom and Europe later this year.
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