Every year, the MTV Video Music Awards deliver unforgettable fashion and jaw-dropping moments. But the Doja Cat 2025 MTV VMAs appearance has already gone down as one of the most daring red carpet performances in recent memory. Known for blending music, fashion, and performance art into one, Doja Cat made headlines the moment she stepped onto the carpet — applying bright red lipstick before shocking everyone by biting it off and chewing it with a smile.
This wasn’t just a style choice. It was a statement. And it perfectly reflected Doja Cat’s fearless approach to both music and fashion.
The Bold Red Carpet Entrance
On Sunday, September 7, Doja Cat turned heads at the Doja Cat 2025 MTV VMAs red carpet in New York. She wore a striking pastel Balmain minidress with a plunging neckline and metallic pink detailing. The fitted design showed off her bold sense of style while pairing beautifully with towering pastel yellow heels.
Her accessories took the look to another level. A lipstick-shaped Judith Leiber Couture clutch was the perfect playful nod to her upcoming stunt. Paired with Chopard jewels and long voluminous blonde curls, Doja Cat created a visual moment that was equal parts glamorous and rebellious.
But the true shocker came when she paused on the carpet, pulled out her lipstick, and applied a thick red layer in front of photographers. Instead of posing, she leaned forward, bit into it, and began chewing — a move that instantly spread across social media. Cameras flashed as she grinned playfully, cementing her moment as one of the night’s most iconic.
When asked about the lipstick in a red carpet interview with Entertainment Tonight, Doja smirked and called it “delicious.”
Outfit Change and On-Stage Power
Later in the show, Doja Cat continued to dominate. After opening the night with a fiery performance, she swapped her pastel Balmain look for something darker and edgier.
Her second outfit was a structured black Balmain minidress with sharp geometric lines. The matching arm accessories added futuristic flair, while metallic blue heels created an unexpected contrast. Completing the transformation, she traded her long curls for a short blonde bob with flipped ends.
This outfit wasn’t just about fashion — it carried the same artistic energy she brought to her performance, blending theatricality with elegance.
Doja Cat’s First VMAs Moment in 2020
The Doja Cat 2025 MTV VMAs appearance wouldn’t be as impactful without looking back at her earlier VMA history. She first hit the VMAs stage in 2020, winning the PUSH Best New Artist award.
That night, she stunned in a hot pink, crystalized Versace mini dress with fringe details and floral appliqués. The plunging V-neckline, paired with fuchsia heels and ultra-long braided ponytail, made it clear that Doja wasn’t afraid to go bold from the start.
Her win was just the beginning of a long, unforgettable relationship with the VMAs stage.
Hosting the 2021 MTV VMAs
A year later, Doja Cat wasn’t just attending — she was hosting. In 2021, she commanded attention with multiple wardrobe changes that proved her versatility and theatrical style.
Among the most talked-about outfits was her Thom Browne creation that she described herself as “looking like a worm.” The mosaic-printed, puffy-sleeved pencil dress was so avant-garde it left fans buzzing online.
Another unforgettable look from that year was the strapless nude corset paired with a bright red chair hat — which Doja later used as an actual chair on stage. It was quirky, daring, and classic Doja: turning fashion into performance.
The Edgy 2023 Cobweb Look
By 2023, Doja Cat had fully leaned into her edgy fashion persona. She arrived in a barely-there custom design by Monse that resembled a deconstructed cobweb. The outfit hugged her frame while offering a raw, artistic aesthetic.
She paired it with a platinum blonde buzz cut, ditching her wigs and curls for something stark and striking. Fans and critics debated the look for days, but that’s exactly why it worked — it demanded attention.
Why Doja Cat Always Dominates VMAs Headlines
The Doja Cat 2025 MTV VMAs look is just the latest chapter in her ongoing history of stealing the spotlight. What makes her appearances so memorable?
- Unpredictability: Fans never know what she will do next — whether eating lipstick, wearing a chair hat, or buzzing her hair.
- Blending Performance and Fashion: Doja doesn’t just wear clothes. She uses them as part of her art.
- Fearlessness: She doesn’t shy away from criticism, instead pushing boundaries to spark conversation.
- Consistency: Year after year, she delivers something unforgettable at the VMAs.
Her bold choices reflect the very spirit of the MTV VMAs — a night where music and fashion collide in ways that challenge expectations.
Social Media Reaction
Within minutes of her red carpet lipstick stunt, clips flooded TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter/X. Fans called it everything from “art” to “chaos,” while some debated whether it was hilarious, shocking, or genius.
One fan tweeted, “Only Doja Cat would eat lipstick on the red carpet and somehow make it iconic.”
Entertainment outlets like Billboard, Rolling Stone, and Vogue all spotlighted her daring move, ensuring that the Doja Cat 2025 MTV VMAs moment will be remembered long after the night ended.
What This Means for Doja’s Image
Doja Cat has carefully crafted her career as an artist who blends humor, rebellion, and artistry. Every public appearance becomes part of her storytelling.
By eating lipstick, she once again blurred the line between fashion stunt and performance art. It wasn’t just a gimmick — it was an extension of her personality: bold, playful, and a little provocative.
Moments like these prove why she remains one of the most talked-about stars in pop culture today
FAQs About Doja Cat and the MTV VMAs
1. What did Doja Cat wear to the 2025 MTV VMAs?
She wore a pastel Balmain minidress with metallic pink accents and pastel yellow heels, accessorized with a lipstick-shaped clutch.
2. Why did Doja Cat eat lipstick at the VMAs?
She applied bright red lipstick on the red carpet and then bit it off, calling it “delicious” in an interview.
3. Did Doja Cat perform at the 2025 MTV VMAs?
Yes, she opened the show with a fiery performance before changing into a black geometric Balmain outfit.
4. Has Doja Cat hosted the MTV VMAs before?
Yes, she hosted in 2021, where she wore multiple daring outfits, including the Thom Browne “worm” dress and a chair hat look.
5. When did Doja Cat first attend the VMAs?
Her debut was in 2020, when she won PUSH Best New Artist.
6. What was Doja Cat’s most controversial VMAs outfit?
Her 2023 cobweb Monse dress paired with a platinum buzz cut sparked huge debate.
7. How old is Doja Cat in 2025?
She is 29 years old.
8. Why do Doja Cat’s outfits always go viral?
Because she blends risk-taking fashion with performance art, always surprising fans.
9. Where were the 2025 MTV VMAs held?
At UBS Arena in New York on September 7, 2025.
10. Will Doja Cat return to future VMAs?
While unconfirmed, given her track record, it’s almost certain she will.