‘HYBE Global Girl Group’ KATSEYE to Perform at MTV VMA Pre-Show
HYBE and Geffen Records’ global girl group KATSEYE will take the stage at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (MTV VMA) pre-show.
On September 2 (local time), the MTV VMA announced via its official social media that KATSEYE has been confirmed as one of this year’s pre-show performers. The pre-show will be held on September 7 at 7 p.m. at the UBS Arena in New York, ahead of the main ceremony, and KATSEYE will perform their hit songs “Gabriela” and “Gnarly.” The pre-show, taking place on the red carpet before the main event, has historically hosted rising stars such as Sabrina Carpenter, Cardi B, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, and Rihanna. Now, just over a year after their debut, KATSEYE has been invited to this symbolic stage, showcasing their rise as “next-generation pop icons.”
The MTV VMA is considered one of the four major U.S. music award ceremonies alongside the Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and American Music Awards. KATSEYE is nominated in two categories this year—Best Group and PUSH Performance of the Year—further highlighting their growing presence in the global music scene.
The PUSH Performance of the Year award recognizes the most impressive performance by an artist selected for MTV’s monthly PUSH campaign. KATSEYE was chosen for the campaign this past January with their debut title track “Touch.” Meanwhile, the Best Group award honors artists who have shown outstanding activity and popularity over the past year. Other nominees in the category include Coldplay, My Chemical Romance, Backstreet Boys, Jonas Brothers, and SEVENTEEN, drawing significant attention.
KATSEYE embodies HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk’s vision of “globalizing the K-pop system.” The group was formed through the global audition project The Debut: Dream Academy, which drew 120,000 applicants worldwide, and officially debuted in the U.S. in June last year, trained under HYBE America’s T&D (Training & Development) system.
Their rise has been remarkable. KATSEYE’s second EP “BEAUTIFUL CHAOS” debuted at No.4 on the Billboard 200 (chart dated July 12), while tracks “Gabriela” and “Gnarly” both entered the Billboard Hot 100. Following major festival stages at Lollapalooza Chicago and Summer Sonic 2025, their popularity has reignited, and they continue to set new personal bests on various charts.
Written by Kim Su Jin
Translated by Lee So Yun
