Sabrina Carpenter Debuts 'Tears' At 2025 MTV VMAs — Watch And Grade It

One year after getting freaky with an alien on stage, Sabrina Carpenter returned to the VMAs on Sunday with an equally unforgettable performance, albeit for very different reasons.

Carpenter kicked off the second hour of the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards with the TV debut of her new single "Tears," for which she emerged from a manhole amid a bustling city scene. Eagle-eyed RuPaul's Drag Race fans also likely spotted several of the show's most iconic contestants. And we'll never say no to a rain-soaked finale.

Watch Carpenter's full VMAs performance below:

Carpenter entered Sunday's ceremony with an impressive nine nominations, potentially winning a Moon Person for Best Pop Artist; Album of the Year for Short n' Sweet; and Video of the Year, Best Pop, Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Visual Effects and Song of the Summer for "Manchild."

The former Girl Meets World star made her VMAs debut in 2024, taking home Song of the Year for "Espresso." That same year, in addition to performing (nay, tap dancing!), Carpenter received six other VMA nominations, including Artist of the Year and Song of Summer for "Please Please Please."

In addition to Carpenter, other high-profile performers at Sunday's VMAs include Alex Warren, Busta Rhymes, Conan Gray, Doja Cat, J Balvin, DJ Snake, Jelly Roll, Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, Post Malone, Ricky Martin, Sombr and Tate McRae. There's also a special tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne, featuring performances by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Yungblud and Nuno Bettencourt.

Hit PLAY on the video above to watch Carpenter's 2025 VMAs performance, then grade it in our poll below and drop a comment with your full review. Was her time on stage short and sweet, or were you thinking, "Please please please, make it stop"?