The MTV VMAs Red Carpet Just Became Our Y2K Fever Dream
From Sabrina’s sequins to Ashlee & Jessica’s nostalgia trip, the girls gave us everything we begged for in 2005 — and then some.
The 2025 MTV VMAs red carpet wasn’t just a parade of looks — it was a cultural reset, a group chat meltdown, and a love letter to our inner teenage selves. Sabrina Carpenter showed up sparkling like the prom queen we always wanted to be, while Ashlee and Jessica Simpson turned the clock back to a time when iPods had click wheels and “A Public Affair” was blasting at every sleepover. Add in Tate McRae’s goddess gown, Tyla’s Chanel fantasy, and Doja Cat’s bedazzled chaos, and suddenly it felt less like an award show and more like a Tumblr-era fever dream brought to life. See our recap of some of tonight’s best Red Carpet looks from the 2025 MTV VMAs live from New York City – streaming exclusively on Paramount+
1. Sabrina Carpenter
Image: Noam Galai/Getty
Sabrina Carpenter shut the carpet down in a sheer floral fantasy, dripping in red sequins, lilac boa drama, Tiffany ice, and those big bouncy curls that say: main pop girl only.
2. Ariana Grande
Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty
Ariana Grande hit the carpet in vintage-coded glam, serving a custom black-and-white Fendi moment pulled straight from the ʼ80s archives — Silvia Venturini’s legacy, reimagined for a pop princess who never misses a note.
3. Jessica Simpson (yes, read that again)
Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty
Jessica Simpson made her VMA comeback in a skin-baring number that proved she’s still Irresistible — 19 years since her last carpet and looking like 2001 never left the group chat. I’m gagging over this entire look.
4. Doja Cat
Credit: Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty
Doja Cat did what Doja does best — turning the carpet into performance art in a crystal-studded Balmain mini, dripping in Chopard ice, sky-high Pleasers, and a Judith Leiber lipstick clutch that literally said: glam is a contact sport.
5. LL COOL J
Image: Mike Coppola/Getty
LL Cool J hosted the VMAs with all the charisma and then some — looking timeless in tailored houndstooth while Simone matched him in Prada-couple perfection. Icon Energy has a new name.
6. Tyla
Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty
Tyla hit the carpet in a vintage Chanel vision, Prada-prep meets Pandora detail — the kind of look your mom would call ‘elders luxe,’ while your friends applaud the drip. You can never go wrong with 90’s Chanel. Period.
7. Ice Spice
Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
Ice Spice showed up like a trophy in motion — shimmering bustier, patchwork glam, and curls bouncing like she just invented red carpet confidence. Princess of the Bronx, queen of our feeds in archive 2003 Ralph Lauren.
8. Ashlee Simpson
Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
Ashlee Simpson strolled back into the VMA spotlight with that signature ‘piece of me’ edge — low-key but saying everything. Fresh from her sold-out Las Vegas shows, Ashlee reminds fans tonight she’s back and has no plans on stopping.
9. Ricky Martin
Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty
Ricky Martin reminded us he’s still livin’ la vida legend — sharp tailoring, megawatt smile, and enough charisma to make the whole carpet feel like 1999 again.
10. KATSEYE
Lara Raj, Megan, Manon, Sophia, Daniela, and Yoonchae of KATSEYE. Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty
KATSEYE stormed the carpet in coordinated chaos — sequins, cut-outs, and pop-princess sparkle that screamed ‘global takeover pending.’ Consider this your reminder that girl groups still own the VMAs.
