Ariana Grande won big as she scored the Video of the Year award at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards. The honor was for her short film, Brighter Days Ahead, marking her return to the VMAs after a five-year absence. This was due to Grande skipping last year’s ceremony to focus on promoting the film Wicked.
Ariana Grande spreads positive messages with Brighter Days Ahead
Brighter Days Ahead is a musical, science fiction short film written and directed by Grande. Her directorial debut, the thought provoking film was released on March 28, 2025. It follows the character Peaches, an elderly woman portrayed by Grande, who is undergoing a memory restoration procedure. The film explores themes of trauma, healing, and self-reclamation.
Grande accepted the prestigious honor alongside music video director Christian Breslauer. During her speech, she further emphasized the film’s message about the ongoing journey of healing and the promise of brighter days ahead. Her speech also included a heartfelt thanks to her father, collaborators, therapist, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Ariana’s winning streak continues
Co-directed by Grande and Breslauer, Brighter Days Ahead was one of seven nominations that Grande received at the VMAs. She also took home wins for Best Pop Video and Best Long Form Video. The honors brought her total to three awards for the night, tying with Sabrina Carpenter. The film is a sequel to the music video for “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” and is inspired by the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Ariana Grande’s win capped off a night where she was also honored for her work on her Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days album. She also presented the Video Vanguard Award to Mariah Carey earlier in the evening. The 2025 VMAs, hosted by LL Cool J, were held at UBS Arenain Elmont, New York. The ceremony also featured tributes to music icons Ozzy Osbourne, Ricky Martin and Busta Rhymes.
