2025 VMAs Nominations: BLACKPINK’s Rosé lands 8 VMA nods, BTS' Jimin, aespa and Stray Kids battle for Best K-pop win

The nominations for the 2025 Video Music Awards (VMAs) are out, and it appears to be another blinging era for the K-pop world. BLACKPINK member Rosé tied with Sabrina Carpenter for the 2nd most number of nominations for a female act at this year’s ceremony, falling only behind Lady Gaga, who stood on top as the most among all, with her dozen nods. 

Impressively, all members of the K-pop girl group grabbed a nomination, with Jisoo, Jennie, and Lisa making appearances under the Best K-pop Award, where BTS’ Jimin, aespa, and Stray Kids also stood tall.

Here are all the categories where the BLACKPINK star was nominated

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead
Billie Eilish – Billie Eilish, Birds of a Feather
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die with a Smile
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt.
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – Timeless

SONG OF THE YEAR

Alex Warren – Ordinary
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Doechii – Anxiety
Ed Sheeran – Sapphire
Gracie Abrams – I Love You, I’m Sorry
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die with a Smile
Lorde – What Was That 
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt.
Tate McRae – Sports Car
The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – Timeless

BEST COLLABORATION

Bailey Zimmerman with Luke Combs – Backup Plan (Stagecoach Official Music Video)
Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die with a Smile
Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton – Pour Me a Drink
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt.
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco – Sunset Blvd

BEST POP

Alex Warren – Ordinary
Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead
Ed Sheeran – Sapphire
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die with a Smile
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt.   
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild

BEST DIRECTION

Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead
Charli xcx – Guess feat, Billie Eilish
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Lady Gaga – Abracadabra
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt.
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild

BEST ART DIRECTION

Charli xcx – Guess featuring Billie Eilish
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Lady Gaga – Abracadabra
Lorde – Man Of The Year
Miley Cyrus – End of the World
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt.

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead
Lady Gaga – Abracadabra
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt.
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
Tate McRae – Just Keep Watching 
The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow

The category where the other BLACKPINK girlies joined is

BEST K-POP

Aespa – Whiplash     
Jennie – Like Jennie
Jimin – Who
Jisoo – Earthquake 
Lisa ft. Doja Cat & Raye – Born Again
Stray Kids – Chk Chk Boom
Rosé – Toxic Till the End

KATSEYE also managed to land a nod in this category

MTV PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

August 2024 – Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)
September 2024 – Ayra Starr – Last Heartbreak Song
October 2024 – Mark Ambor – Belong Together
November 2024 – Lay Bankz – Graveyard     
December 2024 – Dasha – Bye Bye Bye
January 2025 – Katseye – Touch
February 2025 – Jordan Adetunji – Kehlani  
March 2025 – Leon Thomas – Yes It Is     
April 2025 – Livingston – Shadow
May 2025 – Damiano David – Next Summer
June 2025 – Gigi Perez – Sailor Song
July 2025 – Role Model – Sally, When the Wine Runs Out

ALSO READ: BTS’ Jungkook collaborating with Charlie Puth again? J-Hope updates as SUGA, RM and Jimin get cooking in studio