Those who missed the golden opportunity to witness Lady Gaga's electrifying Mayhem Ball tour during its multi-night spectacle at New York's iconic Madison Square Garden were given a tantalizing taste of the show at the 2025 MTV VMAs on Sunday night. The cable network, which broadcast this year's ceremony on CBS for the first time, showcased Gaga's breathtaking rendition of "Abracadabra" and her latest single, "The Dead Dance," from the highly anticipated Wednesday, season two, part two, all captured live from her concert at the legendary venue.
Introduced by the charismatic Rosé, who rallied Gaga's devoted "little monsters" to raise their "paws up" in unison, Gaga herself took center stage at the Manhattan arena. Towering over a cage brimming with dancers perched atop a colossal red ballgown, she boldly declared, "the category is dance or die." Following her mesmerizing performance of "Abracadabra," Gaga descended from the pinnacle of her dress into the cage, only to re-emerge sporting her signature "Dead Dance" grey curls. As the cage unfolded like a grand gate, Gaga and her dancers embarked on a thrilling journey down a lengthy runway to the heart of the arena. With boundless energy, she sprinted back alongside her dancers, belting out the haunting refrain, "Do the dead dance."
Gaga's awe-inspiring performance came on the heels of an unexpected announcement: she had to postpone her Miami concert scheduled for the previous Wednesday. In a heartfelt message shared shortly before the show's commencement, Gaga revealed that she was grappling with an "extremely strained" voice. "During rehearsal last night and my vocal warmup tonight, my voice was extremely strained, and both my doctor and vocal coach have advised me not to perform due to the risks involved," she penned on her Instagram story. "I yearn to be resilient and push through for you, but I refuse to jeopardize my vocal cords with long-term or permanent damage. Given the collective expertise of our team and the demanding nature of our show, where I sing live every night, the risks are too significant. Although this was a heart-wrenching and agonizing decision, I fear the long-term repercussions on my voice more. I hope you can forgive me and accept my sincerest apologies for any disappointment, inconvenience, or letdown. I tried my utmost to avoid this. I take meticulous care of myself to deliver this highly demanding show. I cherish my fans deeply, respect you immensely, and hope you can accept my heartfelt, regretful apology."
Earlier on Sunday, Gaga made a brief yet memorable appearance at the VMAs, held at the UBS Arena in Long Island, New York, to accept the prestigious Artist of the Year award. There, she eloquently shared her perspective on what it means to be an artist, describing it as "an endeavor to forge connections between souls across the globe... a responsibility to make the audience smile, dance, cry, and release at every turn, and a means of fostering and celebrating community." Addressing the audience, to whom she dedicated her award, she implored, "I hope as you navigate the chaos of daily life, you can rely on yourself and your talents to keep you whole." She also expressed her gratitude to her devoted Little Monsters and her "partner in all things," her fiancé Michael Polansky, before bidding farewell to the crowd and returning to the Garden.
Gaga, who entered the VMAs with a commanding 12 nominations, including Video of the Year, ultimately claimed four awards that unforgettable night.
