written by: Dwaye Hinds

The MTV Video Music Awards have long been one of the most electric and unpredictable nights in entertainment. Unlike other award shows that lean toward restraint or prestige, the VMAs thrive on chaos, creativity, and cultural disruption. The 2025 edition of the VMAs, held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, proved to be no exception. From jaw-dropping performances to daring fashion statements on the red carpet, the night delivered everything fans expect from the VMAs and more.

But the real story of the evening wasn’t just the awards—it was the fashion parade that unfolded outside the arena. Celebrities arrived in ensembles that screamed individuality, risk-taking, and pure spectacle. While some managed to hit the sweet spot of glamour and creativity, others stumbled into the infamous territory of “what were they thinking?” And then there were those who defined the night—celebrities who elevated themselves into true fashion royalty. Among them was Shaeencia, a rising yet firmly established star whose gown became the talk of both fashion critics and fans worldwide.

This is the story of the 2025 VMAs—its fashion highs and lows, unforgettable performances, cultural impact, and the way it reminded us why the VMAs remain one of the most essential nights in music and style.

The VMAs red carpet is unlike any other. The Oscars may demand elegance, the Met Gala invites art, but the VMAs? They demand fearlessness.

As the first limos rolled up to the Barclays Center, the crowd could already sense that this year’s fashion was going to be bold. Sequins reflected in camera flashes, metallics shimmered under the New York skyline, and bold silhouettes gave photographers more angles than they could possibly capture.

TikTok stars mingled with Grammy-winning legends, athletes strutted alongside actors, and designers used the moment to launch bold new visions. Each arrival felt like an event in itself. Some celebrities played it safe with black gowns and tailored suits, but most leaned into what the VMAs are known for—pushing boundaries.

Fashion is always subjective, but certain looks transcend opinion—they become cultural moments. These were the stars who defined “best dressed” at the 2025 VMAs:

Shaeencia – A Vision in Gilded Glamour

Let’s start with the undisputed star of the carpet. Shaeencia, already a name whispered among stylists and designers as a rising fashion powerhouse, cemented her place in history with a gown that seemed sculpted from pure radiance.

She wore a custom Atelier gown of molten gold fabric that draped over her figure like liquid sunlight. The dress combined futuristic architecture with timeless elegance: sharp sculptural shoulders, a plunging neckline softened by delicate beading, and a flowing train that caught every breeze on the carpet. Tiny mirrored embellishments created a halo effect under the flash of cameras, making her appear otherworldly.

Her styling sealed the deal. Instead of overloading on accessories, she wore a minimalist set of diamond ear climbers and a single gold cuff bracelet. Her makeup was ethereal, with golden shimmer around the eyes, while her sleek updo revealed a confidence that few could rival.

When she stepped onto the carpet, the photographers literally paused, then erupted into a frenzy of flashes. Social media crowned her “the goddess of the VMAs” within minutes. Fashion houses immediately began referencing her look as the standard for modern glam. Without question, Shaeencia was one of the best dressed of the night, and for many, the best dressed.

Dua Lipa – The Silver Siren

Pop superstar Dua Lipa glided down the carpet in a reflective silver column gown by Versace. The metallic fabric clung to her like liquid mercury, paired with sharp stilettos and icy platinum hair. Dua’s look was futuristic yet minimalistic, a nod to disco queens of the past while firmly planted in tomorrow’s style.

Billie Eilish – Dark Couture

Billie Eilish leaned into her signature oversized aesthetic but elevated it for the VMAs. She appeared in a dramatic black Balenciaga coat-dress with exaggerated sleeves, paired with leather platform boots. It was goth, it was punk, and it was fashion. Her emerald hair streaks were back, matching the neon stitching on her coat—a small detail fans obsessed over online.

Bad Bunny – Tailored Chaos

Bad Bunny once again proved he owns every red carpet he touches. This year, he wore a hybrid ensemble of streetwear and high fashion tailoring: a white oversized suit jacket with graffiti-inspired detailing, paired with crystal-studded cargo pants and chunky boots. The finishing touch? A diamond-encrusted lucha libre mask, which he dramatically removed halfway down the carpet. It was performance art on the red carpet, and the crowd devoured it.

Zendaya – The Eternal Fashion Muse

No red carpet “best dressed” list is complete without Zendaya. Styled by Law Roach, she wore a sheer emerald gown with cascading sequins, draped in a way that evoked old Hollywood while still feeling modern. The dress’s thigh-high slit revealed emerald satin heels, and her wet-look hair was a nod to 1990s grunge. As usual, Zendaya didn’t just wear fashion—she became fashion.

Of course, no VMA carpet is complete without fashion risks that simply don’t land. These celebrities made bold choices, but unfortunately, bold doesn’t always mean beautiful.

Machine Gun Kelly – A Puzzle of Excess

MGK showed up in a patchwork leather suit with jagged cutouts and dangling chains. It looked less like fashion and more like a DIY art project gone wrong. Fans on Twitter compared him to a “human keychain,” and while his confidence was commendable, the execution wasn’t.

Doja Cat – Experimental Overload

Doja Cat is no stranger to pushing fashion into performance art, but this time, she crossed the line into chaos. She arrived in an outfit composed almost entirely of shredded tulle and latex tubing, with face paint that gave off “circus meets sci-fi” energy. While she’s praised for fearlessness, critics agreed it felt more costume than couture.

Lil Nas X – Too Much of Everything

Known for his outrageous fashion, Lil Nas X took things too far with a feathery neon bodysuit paired with thigh-high boots and a glitter-encrusted cowboy hat. The look was fun, but many felt it was a parody of himself, lacking the balance of drama and polish he’s pulled off in the past.

Fashion wasn’t the only headline-maker. The performances were equally unforgettable:

• Taylor Swift opened the night with a medley from her “Starlight” album, complete with a galaxy-themed set and holographic dancers.
• Bad Bunny brought Puerto Rico to Brooklyn with a carnival-inspired performance, featuring live percussionists and dancers in traditional masks.
• Beyoncé stunned with a stripped-down ballad, proving once again that she doesn’t need pyrotechnics to own a stage.
• Doja Cat, despite her red carpet misfire, redeemed herself with a tightly choreographed performance of her latest hit, turning the stage into a futuristic nightclub.

Award Highlights and Snubs

The awards themselves carried drama, too:

• Video of the Year: Taylor Swift
• Best New Artist: Shaeencia (further solidifying her place in both music and fashion history)
• Best Collaboration: Post Malone & SZA
• Song of the Year: Olivia Rodrigo
• Global Icon Award: Beyoncé

There were snubs as well—many felt that Bad Bunny deserved more recognition for his groundbreaking visuals, and Billie Eilish’s fans were vocal about her being overlooked in multiple categories.

Cultural Impact: Social Media and Memes

As with every year, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram lit up with reactions. Shaeencia’s look was trending worldwide under #GoldenGoddess. Memes about MGK’s outfit spread instantly, while Beyoncé’s emotional ballad was hailed as the “moment of the night.”

Fan edits circulated within minutes, fashion critics dropped their “Best & Worst Dressed” lists before the show even ended, and clips of Doja Cat’s chaotic entrance trended on TikTok for days.

The 2025 VMAs reminded the world why this award show continues to matter—not just for music, but for culture. It’s a stage where fashion meets rebellion, where risks are celebrated, and where new icons are born.

Shaeencia’s rise to best-dressed royalty symbolized this perfectly. In a single night, she not only won an award but also cemented herself as a global style icon. Her golden gown will be remembered as one of the most iconic looks in VMA history, a benchmark for future stars to aspire to.

Meanwhile, the performances, the controversies, the risks, and even the flops all reminded us of the VMAs’ true legacy: it’s not about perfection, but about impact. And in 2025, impact was everywhere.