The MTV Video Music Awards took a darker turn this year, with Yungblud paying homage to the late Ozzy Osbourne after the Black Sabbath icon’s passing (July 22nd, 2025).
On the red carpet at New York’s UBS Arena, the 28 year old arrived in black leather pants, boots, and a fur trimmed jacket, but it was the silver cross hanging against his bare chest that stole the spotlight. The cross, identical to the one Osbourne wore throughout his six decade reign as the Prince of Darkness, was a clear statement of devotion. “He’s here with me,” Yungblud told E! News. “I’ve got his cross on. Ozzy forever, man.”
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Later in the night, Yungblud was set to join Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Nuno Bettencourt for a medley of Osbourne’s most iconic tracks. The collaboration marks one of the VMAs’ most anticipated moments, pairing old guard legends with one of rock’s most polarising younger voices.
The tribute follows Yungblud’s earlier vow to play Black Sabbath’s ballad ‘Changes’ at every show in honour of Osbourne’s legacy. He reinforced that promise ahead of the awards, posting a series of photos with Ozzy from last year’s Back to the Beginning concert: “They’ve asked me to pay tribute to you at the @vmas on Sunday night. I’ll try my best to do you proud, Oz. Tune in from up there. I love you forever.”
Reflecting on the loss, Yungblud admitted it wasn’t just about losing a hero, it was about losing a friend. “To get to know a hero of yours, and then he passes away as you kind of start to really get to know each other as humans, was really hard,” he told E! News. “But I’m gonna play this song every night for the rest of my life and keep that guy’s legacy alive. He was everything for me, and I love the family.”
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