Jelly Roll and Doja Cat join 2025 MTV VMAs performance lineup

When the VMAs stage lights up, generations unite.

This year’s MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), set for Sunday, September 7, 2025, at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, promises a spectacular collision of legacy stars and contemporary chart-toppers. Confirmed performers range from the nostalgic presence of Mariah Carey and Ricky Martin, who will receive major honors, to dynamic acts like Doja Cat and Jelly Roll, injecting fresh energy into the night.

The ceremony will broadcast live on CBS, simulcast on MTV, and stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. This lineup signals MTV’s deliberate blend of nostalgia and modern vibrancy, a reminder that the VMAs continue to be a pivotal stage for artists across eras. Expect a show where Baby Boomers recall ’90s glories and Gen Z buzzes for the latest hits, where legends and rising stars share the Moon Person spotlight under one roof.

The VMAs 2025: One night, endless eras collide.

Doja Cat’s First Glimpse of “Jealous Type”

Doja Cat saves the freshest for the biggest stage.

Doja Cat will debut the live, televised performance of her hot new single, “Jealous Type,” marking its first-ever broadcast debut at the 2025 VMAs. Fresh off breaking streaming records, the song promises ‘80s synth glamour and bold fashion theatrics, possibly shoulder-pads galore.

The performance is set to be a standout moment, merging Doja’s avant-garde style with VMA spectacle. This marks her first VMAs appearance since 2023, where she captivated audiences with a thrilling medley featuring hits like “Attention” and “Paint the Town Red.” Fans are already buzzing with anticipation, expecting Doja to redefine live performance energy once more.

Jealous yet? Wait till you see Doja’s debut live.

Post Malone’s Triumphant VMAs Comeback

Post’s hiatus ends, he’s back with style and swagger.

After a seven-year absence from the MTV Video Music Awards stage, Post Malone is officially making his highly anticipated return in 2025. The last time fans saw him perform at the VMAs was in 2018, when he electrified the crowd with a guitar-smashing rendition alongside Aerosmith.

Since then, Post has solidified himself as one of the industry’s most versatile hitmakers, blending hip-hop, country, rock, and pop into a sound that’s uniquely his own. This year, he comes back as a six-time VMA winner with another nomination in hand, Best Collaboration for his chart-climbing duet with Blake Shelton, “Pour Me a Drink.”

His reappearance is more than just a performance; it’s a moment of full-circle recognition for an artist who never truly left the cultural conversation. Industry watchers predict his set could double as a symbolic return to form, a statement that Post is ready to reclaim his space among music’s elite after years of focusing on touring, family, and carefully chosen collaborations.

With 20 total VMA nominations across his career, his comeback weighs history behind it, and audiences will be tuning in not just for nostalgia but for the thrill of witnessing what new chapter Post chooses to open.

Twenty nods later, Post Malone’s back, and he’s still post-worthy.

Jelly Roll Returns With Unbridled Grit

From country grit to hip-hop swagger, Jelly Roll owns the crossover.

Multi-genre sensation Jelly Roll, back from his appearance with Eminem during the 2024 VMAs opener, returns to take the stage, this time in the spotlight as a nominee across four categories, including Best Country, Best Hip-Hop, and Best Alternative. The 2025 show marks his mission to become a first-time winner of the coveted Moon Person.

Jelly Roll’s presence underscores his boundary-breaking artistry, an artist who effortlessly bridges country twang and rap grit. His return is more than a performance; it’s a statement of how genre lanes continue to blur and artists like him lead the charge.

Jelly Roll returns, and this time, he’s claiming the Moon.

Fresh Faces: Conan Gray & Tate McRae Step On Stage

The VMAs aren’t just for veteran icons; they’re for new heroes.

Rising stars Conan Gray and Tate McRae will make their main-stage VMAs debut in 2025. Gray is set to perform his latest hit, “Vodka Cranberry,” while McRae, a nominee for Song of the Year and Best Pop Artist, will bring her emotive charisma to a bold new audience.

Their inclusion signals an important moment: MTV is doubling down on emerging talent, offering a major platform that often shapes the next generation of superstars. For them, this will be more than a performance; it’s a career milestone.

New stars rising: Gray and McRae light up the VMAs stage.

A Night of Honors & Historic Firsts

Moon Persons, icons, and new categories, this VMA night is stacked.

Beyond performances, the 2025 VMAs will feature landmark honors: Mariah Carey receives the prestigious Video Vanguard Award, Ricky Martin earns the inaugural Latin Icon Award, and Busta Rhymes is celebrated with the Rock the Bells Visionary Award. The show also introduces two fan-voted categories, Best Country and Best Pop Artist, painting the night with both tradition and innovation.

Lady Gaga leads this year’s nominations with 12, followed by Bruno Mars (11) and Kendrick Lamar (10), a clear testament to the depth and diversity of this year’s contenders.

Iconic tributes and pop-fan categories, this is VMA evolution in action.

TL;DR

• The 2025 MTV VMAs take place Sept. 7 at UBS Arena in New York.
• Lineup blends icons like Mariah Carey and Ricky Martin with modern stars.
• Doja Cat will debut her new single “Jealous Type” live for the first time.
• Jelly Roll returns after his Eminem collab in 2024, eyeing his first Moon Person.
• Post Malone makes his VMAs comeback after 7 years, performing live.
• Rising talents Conan Gray and Tate McRae will perform on the main stage.
• Mariah Carey, Ricky Martin, and Busta Rhymes receive top honorary awards.
• Lady Gaga leads nominations with 12, followed by Bruno Mars and Kendrick Lamar.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.