Tater Tots, rejoice: Tate McRae took 2025 MTV Video Music Awards by storm with her star-making main stage debut performance at the awards show Sunday (Sept. 7).
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Appearing on stage at New York’s UBS Arena dressed in just a white strapless bikini with dripping jewels, McRae began her performance with a stripped down, nearly orchestral rendition of “Revolving Door.” As she walked back through rows upon rows of shirtless, statuesque male dancers, she lamented her decision to “keep comin’ back like a revolvin’ door.”
But as her petrified dancers suddenly came to life, so did the singer. Being lifted up and twirled around the stage, McRae launched into the performance of her hit single “Sports Car,” as she popped, locked and twerked her way around the stage, through a pit of sand and even above her dancers’ heads. Strutting across the stage, McRae showed off her skills as a singer, dancer and live performer with her performance at the ceremony.
Hosted by LL Cool J, the annual award ceremony brought stars from across music together. Lady Gaga led the nominations with a whopping 12 nods at the annual ceremony, followed closely by her “Die With a Smile” partner Bruno Mars with 11 nominations and Kendrick Lamar with 10. Mariah Carey, meanwhile, was set to receive the coveted Video Vanguard Award. For her part, McRae earned four nods, including for best pop artist and song of the year for “Sports Car.”
Meanwhile, McRae was far from the only performer at the ceremony, with performances throughout the evening from stars such as Sabrina Carpenter, Conan Gray, Jelly Roll and sombr.
Watch her performance below:
