It was the kind of messy, loud, and weirdly beautiful moment that the MTV Video Music Awards used to be famous for every single year. Rock and roll isn't dead; it just has a very strange sense of timing. When Yungblud kisses Steven Tyler during performance on VMAs, the internet basically suffered a collective short circuit. Was it scripted? Was it just "the vibe"? Honestly, it was a bit of both, wrapped in a high-voltage tribute to the late, great Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne.
September 7, 2025. The UBS Arena in New York was vibrating. You’ve got the old guard and the new blood sharing a stage, which is usually a recipe for an awkward "how do you do, fellow kids" moment. But this was different. This was about Ozzy, who had passed away just months earlier in July.
The Set That Led to the "The Kiss"
The tribute wasn't some quiet, acoustic affair. It started with a bang. Yungblud, the 28-year-old South Yorkshire firecracker also known as Dominic Harrison, burst onto the stage for a frantic rendition of "Crazy Train." He’s a protégé of the Osbournes—Ozzy himself once called the kid the future of rock—so the stakes were high.
Then things got heavy. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith emerged. Seeing Tyler on stage at all was a miracle. If you follow rock news, you know his vocal cords were described as "mangled" back in 2023, forcing Aerosmith to retire from touring. Yet, there he was, 77 years old and still looking like he was carved out of a very stylish rock.
The medley transitioned into "Mama, I'm Coming Home." This is where the energy shifted from "loud concert" to "emotional passing of the torch."
Why Yungblud Kisses Steven Tyler During Performance on VMAs
As the final notes of the Ozzy classic rang out, the adrenaline was clearly redlining. Yungblud and Tyler were leaning into each other, sharing a microphone, their styles clashing in the best way possible. Yungblud, in his typical punk-rock-meets-runway aesthetic, and Tyler, draped in his signature scarves and grit.
Suddenly, Yungblud shouted, “Ozzy forever, man!” and planted a celebratory kiss on Tyler.
It wasn't a PR stunt. It was a raw, impulsive reaction from a kid who was literally standing next to his idols while honoring his mentor. Tyler didn't flinch. In fact, he seemed to love it, laughing into the mic and leaning back into the embrace.
The Aftermath and that "Secret"
People went nuts. Ariana Grande was caught on camera looking absolutely stunned in the audience, a reaction that racked up nearly a million views by the next morning. But the story didn't end when the credits rolled.
A few days later, Yungblud posted a Reel on Instagram. It showed him and Tyler backstage, Tyler literally wrapping his legs around Yungblud in a massive hug. They whispered to each other before Tyler teased in a singsong voice: “We got a secret and nobody knows it.”
Naturally, the fans spiraled.
- Was it a joint tour?
- A new single?
- A documentary?
Turns out, it was all leading to the "One More Time" EP. The project, which dropped in November 2025, featured the track "My Only Angel," a collaboration between the Aerosmith legends and Yungblud. It’s a rare bridge between the 1970s arena rock era and the modern alt-rock scene.
Real Talk: Why This Moment Mattered
In a world where award shows often feel like sterilized TikTok promotions, this felt like actual rock history. You had Joe Perry on guitar, Nuno Bettencourt from Extreme shredding next to them, and Adam Wakeman on keys. It was a lineup that shouldn't have worked on paper but absolutely scorched the stage in reality.
Tyler’s voice was the real surprise. He wasn't 1975 Steven Tyler—nobody is—but the grit was there. He reached for the high notes in "Mama, I'm Coming Home" with a desperation that felt honest.
Yungblud, for all his critics who find him "too much," proved he has the lungs and the respect of the legends. To see him pay homage to Ozzy, then share a genuine moment of affection with Tyler, reminded everyone why we watch the VMAs in the first place. It’s for the unscripted stuff.
What You Should Do Next
If you haven't seen the footage yet, it’s worth a watch just for the technical wizardry of Nuno Bettencourt’s solo on "Crazy Train." Also, check out the "One More Time" EP if you want to hear what happens when 70s rock royalty actually tries to make something new instead of just playing the hits.
Keep an eye on Yungblud's 2026 North American tour schedule. There are heavy rumors that Tyler might make a few guest appearances on certain dates, especially after their chemistry at the VMAs. Rock isn't dead; it's just getting a second wind from some very unexpected places.
