LOS ANGELES — LL Cool J has snagged wins, co-hosted and performed atop the MTV Video Music Awards stage. Now, the Grammy-winning rapper-actor-author is going solo to host the 2025 awards ceremony. He’s retaking the stage, this time without Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow, with whom he co-hosted in 2022 , the VMAs announced Thursday.

Lady Gaga is once again at the forefront of MTV’s Video Music Awards race, securing 12 nominations for 2025. This is the third time she has led all contenders. Bruno Mars trails close with 11 nods, while Kendrick Lamar lands 10,

The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards will air live from UBS Arena in New York on Sunday, Sept. 7. Lady Gaga leads the nominations with 12 in total — see the full list.