“Abracadabra” and “The Dead Dance” appear on her latest album, MAYHEM.

Lady Gaga unleashed Mayhem at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) with haunting performances of “Abracadabra” and “The Dead Dance.”

The 39-year-old pop icon taped her epic two-song performance during her sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City on her Mayhem Ball Tour, which is one of six shows at the legendary venue, showcasing her songs from her new album, Mayhem. She launched her show-stopping theatrical performance with “Abracadabra.”

“The category is dance or die. Put your paws up MTV,” Lady Gaga, known as Mother Monster, shouted as she brought her song “Abracadabra” to life alongside dancers. The performance then continued as Gaga appeared in a new wig and outfit for the live debut of her newest song, “The Dead Dance.”

Wearing a Victorian-inspired ensemble of porcelain doll-like clothing, including a corset bustier with ribbon details, a tiered skirt, and cracked doll makeup, she delivered the live debut of her new single, “The Dead Dance.” Joined by dozens of dancers styled as eerie dolls, Lady Gaga brought a flawlessly choreographed spectacle reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dance.

“Yeah, I’ll keep on dancin’ until I’m dead/ Dancin’ until I’m dead, I’m dancin’ until I’m dead/ Yeah, I’ll keep on dancin’ until I’m dead (Dead)/ I’ll dance until I’m dead (Dead, dead, dead, dead)/ ‘Cause when you killed me inside, that’s when I came alive/ Yeah, the music’s gonna bring me back from death/ I’m dancin’ until I’m dead (Dead)/ I’ll dance until I’m dead (Dead, dead, dead, dead),” Lady Gaga sang as she joined the dancers in sync.

“The Dead Dance” arrived in conjunction with season two of the Addams Family spin-off Netflix series, Wednesday, where Gaga stars as a deceased Nevermore Academy instructor named Rosaline Rotwood. The song also appears on the recently released deluxe edition of her album, MAYHEM, alongside two other new tracks.

“The inspiration for The Dead Dance was a break-up, and it was all about the way that we sometimes feel when it’s over, how a relationship ending can kill our ability to feel hopeful about love. It’s got this really cool, funky beat underneath it, and that is when the song becomes not just about the relationship, it becomes about having fun with your friends when you’ve been through something tough and amazing.”

Lady Gaga’s performance marked her highly anticipated return to the MTV Video Music Awards, delivering her first live performance at the VMAs in five years. Her previous VMA appearance was during the 2020 virtual broadcast, where she performed alongside Ariana Grande. Prior to that, Gaga last took the MTV VMAs stage in 2013, when she kicked off her ARTPOP era with a performance of “Applause.”

Lady Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, was the most-nominated artist at this year’s VMAs with 12 nominations, including the prestigious Artist of The Year, Video Of The Year (“Die With A Smile” with Bruno Mars) and Song of The Year (“Die With A Smile” with Bruno Mars), Best Collaboration (“Die With A Smile” with Bruno Mars), Best Pop (“Die With A Smile” with Bruno Mars), Best Album (MAYHEM via Interscope Records), Best Direction (“Abracadabra”), Best Art Direction (“Abracadabra”), Best Cinematography (“Abracadabra”), Best Editing (“Abracadabra”), Best Choreography (“Abracadabra”) and Best Visual Effects (“Abracadabra”).

Lady Gaga; Photo Courtesy of Getty Images for MTV

The star-studded show also featured performances by Sabrina Carpenter, Alex Warren, Jelly Roll, Sombr, J Balvin, DJ Snake, Post Malone, Doja Cat, Conan Gray, Tate McRae, Bailey Zimmerman, The Kid LAROI, Megan Moroney, Lola Young and more.

Additionally, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, YUNGBLUD, and Nuno Bettencourt honored the late Ozzy Osbourne with a once-in-a-lifetime tribute performance, which celebrated the legendary “Prince of Darkness” with a medley of his greatest hits.

Ashlee Simpson Ross, Brittany Snow, Ciara, Drew Barrymore, KPOP Demon Hunter’s EJAE, REI AMI + Audrey Nuna (Huntr/x), Ice Spice, Jessica Simpson, Latto, Livvy Dunne, Malin Åkerman, Megan Stalter, Nikki Glaser, Paris Hilton, Alix Earle, Lenny Kravitz, Luke Grimes and ROSÉ appeared to present during the broadcast.

Lady Gaga; Photo Courtesy of Getty Images for MTV

Mariah Carey, the best-selling female artist of all time, was celebrated with the evening’s top honor, the Video Vanguard Award. Global superstar Ricky Martin accepted the Latin Icon Award, while hip-hop pioneer Busta Rhymes received the inaugural MTV VMA Rock The Bells Visionary Award.

Hosted by LL Cool J, the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) aired on Sunday, September 7 via CBS and MTV as well as streaming live on Paramount+ at 8/7c.

To re-live the 2025 VMAs, visit their official website.