Conan Gray finally claimed the spotlight with his first-ever VMAs 2025 performance, bringing the Wishbone album’s love story to life on stage after years of hit-and-miss moments.
The singer-songwriter Conan Gray is one of today’s well-known artists, producing hits and viral TikTok music for this generation. However, it took years for him to finally reach the center stage, like the anticipated VMA spotlight often reserved for many Western artists. And in his first-ever performance, he did not disappoint by delivering an incredible live version of his album’s single, “Vodka Cranberry,” that thrilled both fans and the audience.
Watch Conan Gray’s live performance at the VMAs 2025 below:
Conan Gray has been a go-to playlist favorite for many passionate listeners since releasing his highly anticipated album, Wishbone, on August 15, 2025. Among its standout tracks is “Vodka Cranberry,” which he performed at the recently held VMA 2025 on September 7. The song’s music video not only captures the heartbreaking yet beautiful lyrics but also tells the gut-punching story of Brando (played by Corey Fogelmanis) and Wilson (played by Conan Gray).
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While the story of Brando and Wilson continued in another Wishbone track, “Caramel,” nobody would have guessed that even with a performance at the VMAs, Conan Gray would once again carry it forward with Corey Fogelmanis. “Vodka Cranberry” was given new life through Conan’s performance at the VMAs, and fans did not miss Corey, who was lying on a stone slab like a scene from a Romeo and Juliet love affair.
At the start of the performance, Conan gently laid down his unconscious lover while he sang with full yearning. By the end of the song, he did not forget the iconic act of drinking a poisonous elixir right after singing the last lyrics, “if you won’t end things then I will”, the perfect way to tell the story of if you die, then I’ll die with you.
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Conan Gray’s performance graced the VMAs stage with what he is best known for among all Coneheads: his great vocals and heartfelt storytelling. While it may not have been the upbeat kind of summer anthem, it was instead a tragically beautiful retelling of Romeo and Juliet through his own star-crossed lovers, Brando and Wilson.
Through his debut performance, Conan reminded everyone that a heartbreaking song can be just as powerful as a love song.
Source: VMAs 2025
