Blackpink’s Rosé had an emotional moment at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards as she took home the Song of the Year award for her hit collaboration “APT” with Bruno Mars.
The ceremony, held on September 7 at UBS Arena in New York, saw the 28-year-old artist reflecting on her journey and sharing heartfelt words with fans.
What began as a playful studio experiment turned into a global phenomenon.
“APT.” debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and climbed into the Top 5—making Rosé the first female K-pop soloist to reach that milestone.
In Nigeria, APT debuted at No. 78 on the TurnTable Top 100 Nigeria before climbing to No. 35, marking Rosé’s first top 40 entry in the country and reflecting strong local streaming and radio traction.
Holding back tears, Rosé expressed gratitude not just to her supporters, but to herself. “As my therapist reminds me daily, I want to thank myself for never giving up, even during the hardest times,” she said.
Rosé, who led this year’s nominations with nine nods, dedicated the win to her 16-year-old self. “Someone recently asked me what I feared most in life, and I realised it was the thought of letting down that younger version of me—the oddball who dreamed of a day she could belong and chase her dreams like those she admired on TV,” she shared.
The singer also paid tribute to her collaborator, Bruno Mars, calling him both an idol and a mentor.
“Bruno, you’ve been an incredible teacher. Thank you for believing in me and helping create this world together. I can’t wait to call you after this. I hope you’re proud,” she said.
Rosé’s win for “APT” marks another milestone in her flourishing career, cementing her as one of the standout figures of the 2025 VMAs.
Punch
