Alex Warren Performs at 2025 MTV VMAs: Watch

Alex Warren gave an unforgettable performance at the 2025 MTV VMAs.

On Sunday (Sept. 7), the hitmaker took the USB Arena stage in New York. Alex Warren is nominated for four VMAs this year. This includes Best New Artist, Best Pop, Song of the Year, and Song of the Summer.

The stage was set with a dark forest backdrop. Warren performed with a full marching band and percussion section to perform his latest release, “Eternity.” He then transitioned into his No. 1 hit, “Ordinary.” The scenery evolved to include a full choir and bright, sunny meadow. His performance ended with fireworks, drum solo, and epic acapella moment.

Alex Warren Interview on 2025 MTV VMAs Nominations

Prior to the awards show, Warren thought he was only nominated for three awards. It was during an interview in the press room that he discovered he was actually nominated in four categories. “I just posted [on social media] saying I’m nominated for three,” he said. “Oh, wow. Okay. Four. Big deal. Wow. Big time… That’s freaking crazy.”

Warren discovered that he was nominated at this year’s awards show in a text message from his team and through Instagram. When asked about his breakout hit, “Ordinary,” he spoke about how his fans are using the song that he wrote about his wife.

“I also think it’s so broad that you could kind of make it about anything,” he shared. “I know that a lot of people have been using it for funerals, too. Which is really cool. So, it’s just one of those songs I feel like that’s unanimously or universally been been able to use honestly.”

Not So Ordinary

Despite it being played constantly on the radio, Warren has yet to hear his song out in public. “I still have not heard it. I’ve not heard it in a car. I have not heard it when I go out. It’s crazy. I’ve never heard ‘Ordinary’ out. And everyone all my friends send me videos and I’m like, this has never happened to me before.

Alex Warren’s collaborator, Rose, is also a first time VMAs nominee this year. “I was just texting Rose,” he said. “I saw her face plastered on a on a on a a building and so I sent it to her and I said, ‘This is cool. I’m stealing this.’ And I stole it.”

When it comes to fellow performers and nominees, Warren hopes to have enough courage to say hello to Ariana Grande. “That’s really cool. I I might do that. And or if you see a camera pan to me, I’m probably going to be pooping myself trying to to muster up the courage,” he joked.”

When it comes to iconic VMAs performances over the years, Warren has a favorite standout. His personal favorite moment was Shawn Mendes performing “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back” at the 2017 VMAs.

“I really like Shawn Mendes’s performance,” Warren added. “I also am obsessed with Shawn Mendes. Yeah. He doesn’t answer my calls anymore… Like there’s hot guys and there’s Shawn Mendes. And I have come to terms that I will never look like that.”