The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards weren’t just about spectacle — they were about legacy. And for YUNGBLUD, the night carried a weight he says he’ll never forget.
Backstage, after delivering a powerful tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne, the British rocker opened up to ET’s Denny Directo about what it meant to honor the man he calls his “north star.”
“Ozzy was everything to me,” YUNGBLUD said, his voice raw with emotion. “He wasn’t just the Prince of Darkness — he showed kids like me that you could be different, be loud, be messy, and still change the world. Without him, I don’t think I’d have had the guts to step on a stage.”
YUNGBLUD performed a soulful medley of “Changes” and “Crazy Train,” before Aerosmith legends Steven Tyler and Joe Perry joined for a roaring finale of “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” A stirring video montage of Ozzy’s life — from Black Sabbath’s early days to his solo triumphs — played behind them, reminding the audience of the indelible mark he left on rock music.
When asked what advice Ozzy gave him before his passing, YUNGBLUD smiled. “He told me, ‘Never let anyone tell you who you are. The moment you believe them, you’re finished.’ That stuck with me. He gave me permission to be myself — fully, unapologetically. That’s why tonight was so important. I owed him that.”
For fans, the tribute was more than performance. Social media lit up with posts from viewers who said they cried through the set, describing it as both heartbreaking and celebratory. Many praised YUNGBLUD for capturing not just Ozzy’s music, but his spirit — a mix of rebellion, tenderness, and raw humanity.
Reflecting on his journey from small clubs in Doncaster to the VMAs stage, YUNGBLUD admitted that honoring Ozzy felt surreal. “It’s like full circle, you know? I grew up blasting his records in my bedroom, trying to find my voice. And now, I get to stand here and say thank you in front of the world. That’s mad. That’s beautiful.”
The tribute came just months after Ozzy’s passing, making the moment even more poignant. Fans in the arena raised their phones like candles, turning the space into a sea of light as YUNGBLUD sang. At the end, he raised his fist to the sky and whispered: “For you, mate.”
As the VMAs celebrated the future of music, YUNGBLUD’s performance was a reminder that rock’s past still guides its future. And for him, Ozzy Osbourne will forever be more than an idol.
“He’s my north star,” YUNGBLUD said. “Every step I take in music, I’m following the path he lit.”
