Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga are crowned at the MTV Music Awards

Pop singer Ariana Grande took the crown at the MTV Video Music Awards, taking home the award for best video of the year for her song "Brighter Days Ahead." "Art has been a refuge for me since I was a kid. I'm so grateful to be able to do this," Grande confessed while holding the MTV Moon Person trophy on stage at the UBS Arena.

Lady Gaga was crowned artist of the year at the start of the show, beating out VMA favorites Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Gaga, currently touring for her album "Mayhem," took the stage wearing a ruffled black and purple dress with giant sleeves. "I can't express what it means to me to be honored for being an artist, to be honored for something that is already so rewarding," Gaga said before running off to perform at Madison Square Garden.

Gaga's win prevented Beyoncé or Swift from becoming the most-awarded artists in VMA history. The two remain tied with 30 VMAs each. Gaga also won best collaboration for "Die with a Smile," a duet with Bruno Mars that had been in contention for best video, which ultimately went to Grande.

Sabrina Carpenter took home the award for best album for "Short n' Sweet." "I don't take for granted that you spend time listening to an album," the pop singer said. "I'm the luckiest girl in the world." "APT.," a collaboration between Bruno Mars and K-pop singer Rose, won the VMA for song of the year. Rose, 28, a member of the group Blackpink, dedicated her win to her "eccentric" 16-year-old self.

“This is a very important moment for my 16-year-old self and for anyone who dreams of being accepted for their effort,” he said onstage. English singer Yungblud performed “Crazy Train” to kick off a musical tribute to the late British rocker Ozzy Osbourne , with Nuno Bettencourt on guitar. Aerosmith members Steven Tyler and Joe Perry joined forces for a rousing version of “Mama, I’m Coming Home” that had the audience waving their hands in the air.

Mariah Carey received a lifetime achievement award and talked about how much fun it is to make music videos. The videos are "mini movies that visualize the pure fantasy of it all," she said. "And sometimes they're just an excuse to add drama and do things I wouldn't do in real life."

The VMAs began airing on MTV in 1984 and became famous for memorable moments like the onstage kiss between Madonna and Britney Spears and Gaga's appearance in a raw meat dress. Sunday's ceremony was broadcast live on CBS and MTV. In other awards, folk-pop singer Alex Warren was named best new artist.