What’s a music video without music—and what’s music without a muse?
So far, these attendees at MTV’s Video Music Awards are proving none can exist without the other, as they are turning the red carpet into their own personal date night at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
One week after celebrating their 11th wedding anniversary, Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross stepped out for a romantic date night together. The couple—who share Jagger, 10, and Ziggy, 4—showed off some subtle PDA on the red carpet, sharing a kiss for the cameras in one photo.
And while the pair spent their actual anniversary in Las Vegas as Ashlee—also mom to Bronx, 16, with ex Pete Wentz—continues her residency, she told E! News it’s been incredible for her husband of over a decade to see her perform on stage for the first time.
Meanwhile, Mr. Beast and fiancée Thea Booysen showed off their romance at the VMAs 2025, eight months after their engagement. Colin Kaepernick and wife Nessa also made a rare joint appearance ahead of her pre-show hosting gig at the event. The couple kept it lowkey for their red carpet photo op, wearing sweats. (See here for more stars on the red carpet.)
While award shows are a popular date spot for some of music and film’s most beloved couples, the 2025 VMAs are a particularly great night out. After all, this year’s ceremony, hosted by LL Cool J, will see performances from Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae, Post Malone and Doja Cat.
The nominations are just as swoon-worthy. After Lady Gaga released Mayhem, her first album in five years, in March, she swept nominations, earning eight for her newest project, as well as three additional nods alongside Bruno Mars for their “Die With a Smile” collaboration.
Other musicians on the leaderboard for nominations include Kendrick Lamar, who scored 10 nominations mostly thanks to his iconic “Not Like Us” music video, and Bruno, for his nominations with Gaga, as well as “APT” with BLACKPINK’s Rosé.
And while she didn’t best the aforementioned nominees, the “Espresso” is continuing her “summer of Sabrina” for the second year in a row, scoring eight nominations for her Grammy-winning album Short n’ Sweet, as well as for her Man’s Best Friend lead single “Manchild,” a four-minute supercut of relationship chaos which she based off of her love for movie trailers.
“I love a good trailer and the way that it’s cut together,” she told Rolling Stone in June. “You could be crying in three seconds just because of an expression someone makes, or see someone laughing, and then someone crying, and then someone kissing, and then someone dancing. It’s all of those little vignettes that really feel like they tell a whole story in a really short period of time.”
Keep reading for more couples who told a whole love story on the VMAs red carpet…
Landon Barker & Skyla Sanders
A date night debut. Travis Barker‘s son and Rupert Sanders‘ daughter make their first appearance as a couple at the 2025 MTV VMAs.
Simone Smith & LL Cool J
Coordinating couple. The MTV VMAs 2025 host and his wife match on the red carpet.
Joe Gorga & Melissa Gorga
The Real Housewives of New Jersey star and her husband step out for the MTV VMAs 2025.
Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino & Lauren Sorrentino
Trading the Jersey Shore for the red carpet. The reality stars are ready for their night out.
Evan Ross & Ashlee Simpson
Parents’ night out. The couple of 11 years are as close as ever at the MTV ceremony.
Pauly D & Nikki Hall
The Jersey Shore alum and influencer show off their romance on the red carpet.
Teasha Bivins & Michael Bivins
The rapper and his wife step on to the red carpet.
Colin Kaepernick & Nessa
Touchdown! The NFL star supports his wife ahead of her pre-show hosting gig on the red carpet.
Valentina Ferrer & J Balvin
How could you not go loco over this pair?
Mr. Beast & Thea Booysen
Showing off the bling. The YouTube star and his fiancée show a bit of PDA on the carpet.
Cody Kirk & Gabrielle Breton
The TikTok star steps out with his plus one on the red carpet.
