BFFs with Josh Richards & Brianna Chickenfry
Episode Title: WE RECAP THE 2025 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS - BFFs S2 Ep 35
Release Date: September 11, 2025
Host: Barstool Sports
Hosts: Josh Richards, Brianna Chickenfry
Episode Overview
This episode of BFFs is a high-energy recap of the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, but with a twist: neither Josh nor Brianna actually watched the show live. Instead, they riff on the results, share opinions on winners and nominees, and weave in plenty of playful banter about their own lives, recent viral moments, and pop culture news. The episode is equal parts awards recap, behind-the-scenes industry insights, and classic BFFs humor.
The two also discuss the impact of social media on the music industry, new celebrity relationships, moving trends in influencer culture, and their upcoming (possibly final) live tour.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. VMAs Recap & Reactions
[04:03 – 19:11]
- Neither host watched the VMAs, but both have opinions about all the major results.
- Artist of the Year: Lady Gaga's win shocks both.
- Brie: “I think without doubt, it's Taylor Swift. The Eras Tour.” [05:15]
- Josh: Wonders if Gaga’s win is for her recent activity, and whether the timeline of tours/performances is confusing eligibility.
- They highlight fan-voted nature of the VMAs and how results may not always match their expectations.
- Song of the Year: Rosie & Bruno Mars’ “apt” wins, surprising both as neither has heard it. Both expected a more mainstream pick (e.g., Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga/Bruno collab).
- Josh: “How have I not listened to that song one time?” [08:11]
- Brie: “Are we living under a rock? That’s crazy.” [08:15]
- Best New Artist: Alex Warren’s win is celebrated; both agree his deliberate use of social media contributed.
- Josh: “He knows how to market better than anyone too.” [10:37]
- Brie: Notes possible fan backlash (“he definitely deserved to win”).
- Best Pop Artist & Album: Sabrina Carpenter’s wins make sense to both, with Tate McRae and Charli XCX also highlighted as strong contenders.
- Brie: “Sabrina appeals to the masses.” [12:21]
- Social Media's Impact:
- Brie: Notes Lizzo’s comments on how artists must go viral to be noticed now. [13:34]
- Josh: “That’s why Alex Warren is doing so well… the combination of social and traditional.” [14:29]
- Video of the Year: Ariana Grande for “Brighter Days Ahead”—unanimous approval.
- Best Collaboration: Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile”, which Josh is particularly passionate about.
- Josh: “I’m pretty sure I said on this podcast one time that Die with a Smile is like the best song to come out this decade.” [15:34]
- Mariah Carey wins Video Vanguard Award:
- Brie: Admits not knowing what it means.
- Josh: Briefly explains it's for lifetime contribution in music videos/pop culture. [17:18]
- Best Country: Megan Maroney is the first woman to win—hosts celebrate her.
- Song of the Summer: Tate McRae’s “Just Keep Watching”
- Josh: Calls out Tate's heavy radio presence and the VMAs’ tendency to “spread out” awards. [19:11]
2. Music Industry & Other VMA Highlights
- Somber wins Best Alternative: Both hosts are fans, Brianna is “biblically obsessed”. [21:52]
- Live Performances: Tate McRae gets special mention for her stamina and stagecraft; hosts praise Youngblood’s tribute to Ozzy.
- The TikTok Effect: Both discuss how TikTok is essential for modern artists to break out. [14:49-15:01]
3. Celebrity News & Pop Culture Roundup
[23:28 – 41:27]
- Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Engagement:
- Brie: Explains the romantic proposal in a magical garden designed to reference Taylor’s lyrics. [24:31]
- Josh: Praises Kelce’s thoughtful approach.
- Influencers Moving to NY: Debate over NYC becoming “the new LA.”
- Jacob Elordi’s TikTok Moment:
- Brie: Details Elordi’s rare social media presence and love triangle rumors (Olivia Jade, Zoe Kravitz, Margot Robbie) and relates a viral TikTok moment.
- Meg the Stallion/Aiden Ross Drama: Meg’s legal team serves Aiden Ross via mariachi band.
- Josh: “It’s kind of a baller way to serve somebody.” [31:11]
- Glenn Powell & Olivia Jade Dating: Hosts dissect the rumors and Olivia’s influencer impact.
- Austin Butler & Emrata: Comparison of celebrity “rosters.”
- SNL Casting News: Praises for Veronica S Cool joining the cast; Josh notes her transition from social media to TV.
- Dancing With The Stars: Alex Earl forecast to win due to social media prowess.
4. Rapid-Fire News Blurbs
- White Lotus Season Announced for France: Josh laments it’s not Brazil; Brie excited for a new setting.
- Jonas Brothers Christmas Movie: Hosts look forward to Disney+ nostalgia.
- Fashion Brand Controversy: Shock over a model with criminal history being used in a campaign.
- Nantucket Cocaine Scandal: Dave Portnoy accidentally roped into drug-use headline by the New York Post.
- Josh: “Just calling him a guy that likes to shovel snow into his nose.” [42:01]
5. BFFs Tour Announcement & Reflections
[42:27 – 45:07]
- The hosts reveal their upcoming live tour—possibly a farewell tour—emphasizing emotional and nostalgic connections after five years.
- Josh: “One of the only constants has been this show.” [43:42]
- They plan to stream much of the tour and encourage fan engagement (“You could win Brianna’s heart!”).
- Hilarious bit about auditioning boyfriends for Bri during the tour.
6. Personal Stories & Farewell Banter
[45:33 – 54:37]
- Bri’s “Japanese Scrub” Horror Story: In vivid detail, Brie recounts an excruciating body scrub experience.
- Bri: “There’s no face hole in the table... My neck is snapping. This woman jumps on top of the table…” [47:36]
- Upcoming Travel: Bri is going to Lisbon for her sister’s wedding and plans a Scottish solo trip.
- Poker Tournament: Josh placed 5th; details his poker strategy, encounter with Rico, and poker champ Ethan.
- Reunion with Barstool's Dave Portnoy: Brief catch-up during a poker game.
- Plans for BFFs Tour: Continues the boyfriend audition bit.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Lady Gaga’s VMA win:
- Brie [05:15]: “I think without doubt, it's Taylor Swift. The Eras tour.”
- Josh [04:45]: “That seems shocking, right?”
On Song of the Year confusion:
- Josh [08:11]: “How have I not listened to that song one time?”
- Brie [08:15]: “Are we living under a rock? That’s crazy.”
On Best New Artist:
- Josh [10:37]: “He knows how to market better than anyone too.”
On modern music industry:
- Josh [14:29]: “He is doing what the new version of this industry is, which is…the combination of social and traditional.”
Describing Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars song:
- Josh [15:34]: “Die with a Smile is like the best song to come out this decade.”
On Mariah Carey’s Video Vanguard Award:
- Josh [17:18]: “I believe it's for outstanding contributions and profound impact on music, video and popular culture…”
On social media’s impact (Lizzo’s comments):
- Brie [13:34]: “It’s so oversaturated…trending on the algorithm is your best bet.”
On VMAs' award "spreading":
- Josh [19:11]: “They kind of spread them a bit. Like, give this one to this person…spreading it out. Nice. I like it.”
On engagement rumors:
- Brie [24:31]: “He created, like, a big magical garden in the back… and I could only assume that it's about [her lyrics].”
On serving legal papers with mariachis:
- Josh [31:11]: “It's kind of a baller way to serve somebody.”
On the tour announcement:
- Josh [43:42]: “It’s gonna be nuts. That was five years of my life…one of the only constants has been this show.”
On Japanese scrub experience:
- Brie [47:36]: “My neck is snapping. This woman jumps on top of the table, puts her hands on the ceiling, jumps on my back…”
Highlighted Timestamps
- 04:45: Lady Gaga’s Artist of the Year shock
- 08:11: "How have I not listened to that song one time?"—Josh on Song of the Year
- 10:37: "He knows how to market better than anyone..."—Josh on Alex Warren
- 12:21: "Sabrina appeals to the masses."—Brie
- 13:34: Lizzo’s insight on breaking out as a new artist
- 15:34: Josh calls “Die with a Smile” the best song of the decade
- 17:18: Vanguard Award explained
- 19:11: Josh on VMAs spreading the wins
- 24:31: Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce engagement details
- 31:11: Mariachi band serves legal papers—Josh
- 43:42: Reflection on the show being their 5-year constant
- 47:36: Brie’s harrowing Japanese scrub story
Tone & Vibe
The episode stays true to the BFFs style: irreverent, chatty, and loaded with punchy observations, relatable pop culture confusion, and good-natured self-deprecation. Their unscripted reactions, music-industry takes, and mutual ribbing make the show accessible even if listeners skipped the VMAs—or even if they’re just in it for the friendship vibes and inside-barstool anecdotes.
For Listeners
- Expect a VMAs "recap" heavy on hot takes and personal asides, less reportage—refreshingly honest for those who want a digest without the pageantry.
- Get insights on music trends, social media’s impact, and what it takes to break out as a new artist now.
- Plenty of life updates from both hosts, including pop culture, influencer drama, unique spa horror stories, and BFFs tour plans.
- If you've missed the episode or the awards themselves, this summary covers all the fun, controversies, and pop cultural touchpoints—with enough authenticity to feel like you’re hanging out with the hosts themselves.