Yungblud delivers a viral tribute to Ozzy Osbourne and Iggy Pop at the MTV VMAs with an iconic outfit and unforgettable performance
Yungblud knows how to make an entrance—and at the 2025 MTV VMAs, he delivered one of the most talked-about moments of the night. The 27-year-old rocker paid tribute to two of his biggest idols, Ozzy Osbourne and Iggy Pop, not only through his music but also through his style. Shirtless on the red carpet, Yungblud stunned in a pair of iconic leather pants once owned by Iggy Pop and a silver cross necklace given to him by Ozzy himself. It was a look loaded with history, attitude, and pure punk energy that only Yungblud could pull off.
This year’s VMAs carried a heavy emotional weight, as part of the night was dedicated to the late Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away in July at the age of 76. A legend who shaped generations of rock and metal, Ozzy was honored in a powerful tribute that had the internet buzzing. Even before hitting the stage, Yungblud’s choice of wardrobe made headlines: a literal piece of Iggy’s history and Ozzy’s personal gift, symbols of the legacy he was carrying with him. As Chrome Hearts founder Richard Stark reportedly said about Iggy’s pants: “If you can fit into them, you can wear them.” Yungblud fit—and owned them.
His performance opened with “Crazy Train,” Ozzy’s 1980 anthem that remains one of the most recognizable tracks in rock history. Backed by guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, Yungblud gave the song his own explosive twist. His energy was wild, electric, and brimming with respect for the Prince of Darkness, while still keeping that signature dose of chaos that makes Yungblud who he is.
Then came a shift in tone. The stage lights dimmed, and he performed “Changes,” a track he’d already made viral with his heartfelt cover. The performance carried even more emotional weight knowing that Ozzy had personally approved Yungblud’s version before his death. With tears in the audience and a promise from Yungblud that he would “sing it for the rest of his life” in Ozzy’s memory, the tribute became one of the defining moments of the night.
The emotional high point came when Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith joined him on stage for “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” The crowd went wild, and cameras caught Ariana Grande visibly moved in the audience. Within minutes, social media exploded with clips of the performance, cementing it as one of the most viral moments of the 2025 VMAs.
Of course, not everyone was impressed. Dan Hawkins of The Darkness called it “another nail in the coffin of rock ’n’ roll,” sparking debates online about whether such tributes honor or exploit the memory of icons like Ozzy. Still, the majority of fans praised Yungblud for his sincerity and passion, applauding the way he brought multiple generations together on one stage.
For Yungblud, Ozzy was more than a rock god—he was proof that being “a little mad, a little out of bounds” could be a strength, not a weakness. “When other people saw my madness as a negative, Ozzy made me feel like it could be power,” Yungblud once said in an interview.
Their relationship deepened in recent years. Just weeks before Ozzy’s passing, Yungblud joined a farewell show for Black Sabbath, fronting a supergroup with Bettencourt, members of Sleep Token, and Adam Wakeman. His performance of “Changes” at that event was already unforgettable—but after Ozzy’s death, it took on new meaning.
Speaking recently on Steve-O’s podcast, Yungblud opened up about the personal advice Ozzy had given him and how it shaped his career. That’s why wearing Ozzy’s cross and Iggy’s pants wasn’t just a style choice at the VMAs. It was a statement: a way of carrying the spirit of rock’s most rebellious figures into the future.
The night was one of Yungblud’s biggest yet—a performance that honored legends while showing that the next generation is ready to carry the torch. With his raw energy, fearless style, and emotional honesty, he didn’t just pay tribute—he reminded the world that rock ’n’ roll is far from dead.
