Megan Moroney VMA: First Winner of Inaugural MTV VMAs ‘Best Country’ Award
New York, NY – September 7, 2025 – In a landmark moment for country music, **Megan Moroney VMA** history was made as she became the first artist to claim the newly established ‘Best Country’ award at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards. The singer-songwriter accepted the prestigious fan-voted Moon Person trophy on the red carpet for her hit song “Am I Okay?”, marking a significant milestone for the genre’s recognition on one of pop culture’s biggest stages. This historic **Megan Moroney VMA** win underscores the growing mainstream influence and commercial power of country music.
A New Era for Country Music at the MTV VMAs
The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards introduced the ‘Best Country’ category this year, a move announced just last month and one that industry observers have heralded as long overdue. For over four decades, country artists have often contended in broader, genre-agnostic categories, making it challenging to gain dedicated recognition within the VMA landscape. The addition of this category, alongside ‘Best Pop Artist’, reflects MTV’s acknowledgment of evolving audience tastes and the undeniable cultural and commercial momentum of country music. This significant development for country music news comes on the heels of the cancellation of the 2025 CMT Music Awards, a move attributed partly to the merger between parent company Paramount and Skydance Media. The absence of the CMT Awards left a void in televised country music accolades, making the MTV VMAs’ inclusion of a dedicated country category even more symbolic and timely. This ensures that country’s significant presence in the music industry is now prominently featured on a global platform, with the **Megan Moroney VMA** setting a precedent.
Megan Moroney VMA: Historic Win and Acceptance
Megan Moroney, a rising star in the country music scene, secured the inaugural ‘Best Country’ award for “Am I Okay?”, the title track from her 2024 album. Her **Megan Moroney VMA** win was announced during the pre-show festivities at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, allowing her to deliver an acceptance speech while still on the red carpet. Visibly thrilled, Moroney shared her disbelief and excitement, recalling a humorous anecdote about a White Elephant gift exchange where she once acquired a novelty ‘Moonman’ statue, contrasting it with the genuine award she held. This **Megan Moroney VMA** moment was truly special.
“Thank y’all so much for voting. Thank you for everything, all the support this year,” Moroney expressed during her impromptu speech. “Guys, I literally fought over a ‘Moon Man’ statue at White Elephant last year at Christmas and now I have a real one. I’m freaking out. This is way better than the Home Goods one.” She concluded with a sense of awe, stating, “This is so cool. I’m like, what the heck am I even doing here?” Her **Megan Moroney VMA** acceptance speech resonated with many.
Moroney, a first-time nominee and performer at the MTV VMAs, also delivered a captivating performance of her latest single, “6 Months Later,” on the Extended Play stage, further cementing her debut at the prestigious music awards show and her **Megan Moroney VMA** achievement.
A Stacked Field of Country Music’s Finest for the Megan Moroney VMA
The ‘Best Country’ category featured a formidable lineup of prominent artists, underscoring the depth and talent within contemporary country music. Moroney triumphed over a highly competitive field that included Jelly Roll for his song “Liar,” Chris Stapleton for “Think I’m In Love With You,” the powerful duet “I’m Gonna Love You” by Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood, Lainey Wilson for “4x4xU,” and Morgan Wallen for “Smile.” This diverse group of nominees highlights the genre’s broad appeal, from established legends to contemporary chart-toppers. The inclusion of these artists in a new VMA category signifies a significant shift in how mainstream music awards are recognizing the country music landscape, making the **Megan Moroney VMA** win all the more impressive.
Broader Implications for Country Music and the Megan Moroney VMA
The establishment of the ‘Best Country’ award at the MTV VMAs is more than just a new trophy; it represents a critical step in the ongoing integration of country music into the broader pop culture conversation. Experts suggest that the genre’s increased mainstream appeal, partly driven by artists like Morgan Wallen and Post Malone crossing into country, has made it impossible for major media outlets to overlook. This recognition provides country artists with a dedicated platform to showcase their music videos and artistic achievements to a global audience. For artists like Megan Moroney, this **Megan Moroney VMA** win validates her position as a leading voice in modern country music and opens new avenues for future opportunities. The fan-voted nature of the award further emphasizes the strong connection country artists maintain with their dedicated fanbase.
A Night of Milestones: The Megan Moroney VMA and More
The 2025 MTV VMAs, hosted by LL Cool J at New York’s UBS Arena, celebrated a diverse range of music and artists. While Lady Gaga led the nominations with twelve nods and Ariana Grande took home Video of the Year, the introduction of genre-specific awards like ‘Best Country’ and ‘Best Pop Artist’ marked a significant evolution for the ceremony. The night also featured special honors, including the Video Vanguard Award presented to Mariah Carey and the Rock the Bells Visionary Award to Busta Rhymes. The **Megan Moroney VMA** was a highlight of this evolving landscape.
Megan Moroney’s historic win in the inaugural ‘Best Country’ category is a testament to her rising star power and the genre’s undeniable impact on the contemporary music scene. As country music continues to capture a wider audience, its presence at major awards shows like the MTV VMAs is poised to grow, promising more celebrated moments for artists and fans alike, with the **Megan Moroney VMA** leading the charge.
Further reading: Related News on Google

