The Most Unforgettable Red Carpet Moments from the MTV VMAs 2025
When it comes to the MTV Video Music Awards, the red carpet is almost as iconic as the performances themselves. Over the years, we’ve seen everything from Lady Gaga’s meat dress to Britney Spears holding a python, proving that this annual event is a playground for daring, eccentric, and downright unforgettable fashion.
This year was no different. Held at New York’s UBS Arena, the 2025 VMAs red carpet was a mix of sheer gowns, bold throwbacks, and avant-garde accessories that reminded us exactly why this show has a reputation for jaw-dropping style. From FKA Twigs’ illusion braids to Doja Cat’s edible prop, here are the standout looks that had everyone talking.
FKA Twigs and the Illusion Braids That Stole the Show
Trust FKA Twigs to turn heads with something we’ve never seen before. The nonconformist singer teamed up with hair artist Louis Souvestre to create braids that looked like over-ear headphones. Yes, you read that right — headphones. With cornrows up front, spiky braids in the back, and two thin strands dangling into her burgundy low-rise pants like jack cables, it was hair-as-art at its finest.
Her bandeau top and padded shoulders gave the whole look a futuristic edge. Twigs didn’t just walk the carpet — she performed on it with her styling.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Showgirl-Meets-Old-Hollywood Moment
Sabrina Carpenter has been leaning into strapless, flirty gowns lately, but she surprised fans by switching it up with a Valentino creation that was both elegant and fun. The floor-length, high-necked sheer red gown, with beadwork and floral embroidery, was one of the most refined looks of the night.
Still, Sabrina couldn’t resist sprinkling in some playful glamour — she accessorized with a lilac boa, adding showgirl flair to her classic silhouette. On top of that, she walked away with three major wins, including Best Pop Artist and Best Album. Fashion and career highlight? We’d say so.
Huntr/x Breaks the Fourth Wall
One of the quirkiest moments came courtesy of KPop Demon Hunters — the record-breaking Netflix hit. The film’s fictional girl group, Huntr/x, made a real-life appearance thanks to the voices behind the characters: Ejae, Rei Ami, and Audrey Nuna.
But it was Nuna who had fans buzzing, rocking a giant puffy jacket inspired by her character Mira’s “sleeping bag at the Met Gala” moment. It was a cheeky nod to fandom culture that had Twitter (or X) in a frenzy.
Yungblud Honors Ozzy Osbourne with a Powerful Tribute
Yungblud brought rock-and-roll energy to the VMAs red carpet in leather pants, boots, and his signature goth style. But the real showstopper wasn’t the clothes — it was the jewelry.
The British rocker proudly wore the bejeweled cross necklace gifted to him by the late Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away in July. Yungblud has worn the piece since 2022, and it’s become a symbol of his deep connection with his idol. Before his onstage tribute with Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Nuno Bettencourt, he ripped off his fur-trimmed jacket, putting the necklace front and center. A raw, emotional moment that merged fashion with legacy.
Tate McRae and the Year’s Sheerest Look
Sheer gowns dominated the VMAs red carpet this year, but Tate McRae’s ethereal white silk chiffon number might have topped them all. Designed by Ludovic de Saint Sernin, the gown revealed a pleated bra top and matching underwear beneath its flowing layers.
Fans online dubbed her a “Greek Goddess,” while fashion insiders noted that the custom gown took over 134 hours of handwork. McRae’s look perfectly balanced risqué with refined, proving why sheer still reigns supreme in 2025 red carpet fashion.
Doja Cat Serves ‘80s Glam With a Twist (and a Bite)
Leave it to Doja Cat to make the red carpet both glamorous and meme-worthy. She showed up in a voluminous blonde wig and a harlequin-patterned Balmain gown that screamed 1980s drama — a stylish nod to her upcoming album Vie, which is inspired by that era.
But Doja didn’t stop at just serving a look. In one of the most viral moments of the night, she pulled out a lipstick from her lipstick-shaped clutch, applied it in front of the cameras, and then… took a big bite out of it. Moments later, she was revealed as the new face of MAC. Only Doja could turn a beauty deal into a performance art piece.
