Yungblud recently addressed criticism from The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins over his Ozzy Osbourne tribute performance at the VMAs, with Billboard reporting on his response.
The artist pushed back against the backlash by suggesting the criticism came from people attempting to gatekeep moments they had no role in shaping. He stressed how deeply personal the tribute was to him and highlighted his genuine connection to Osbourne. “The criticism at the VMAs was coming from people that were trying to be doormen at a party that they weren’t invited to. That’s the harsh reality of it,” Yungblud said. “If you don’t have that fear that you need to prove something, you’re not on the right path and journey. If people are indifferent about you, then you’re not truly anything at all.”
He went on to reflect on the emotional weight behind the performance, pointing to his lifelong admiration for Osbourne and the circumstances that led to the tribute.
“I dreamed of knowing Ozzy my whole life. I met him, got to know him, his family asked me to honor him, and then I lost him. The fact that [Ozzy] was the one that made the world take notice [of me]… it’s just so crazy,” he continued.
Hawkins had previously taken issue with Yungblud’s role in the tribute, questioning the connection between Osbourne’s legacy and the younger artist. “I suppose one of the things that irks musicians of a certain age is to watch Ozzy invent heavy metal, then turn into this household name with the television series and his decades of being brilliant, and then you kind of think ‘What the fuck does all those decades of having this incredible legacy have to do with Yungblud?’” Hawkins said. He added, “I feel like what irks musicians of a certain age is the fact that Yungblud seems to have positioned himself as a natural heir to the Ozzy legacy, having nothing to do with the really important stuff.”
Despite the controversy, the tribute itself marked a notable moment in rock history, bringing together artists from different generations to celebrate Osbourne’s influence. The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards were held September 7–8 in New York City, where Yungblud shared the stage with Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Nuno Bettencourt for the Ozzy Osbourne tribute. The performance featured a medley of classic songs including “Crazy Train,” “Changes,” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” underscoring the lasting power of Osbourne’s catalog.
MTV’s official coverage described the performance as a spirited and respectful homage, while Entertainment Tonight reported that Osbourne’s family appeared via pre-recorded video to acknowledge the tribute. Shouts of “OZZY FOREVER MAN!” and “THANK YOU OZZY” rang out during the performance, highlighting the personal reverence felt by the performers.
Spanning roughly seven to eight minutes, the medley was later described by participants such as Nuno Bettencourt as “controlled chaos,” capturing the raw energy that has long defined Osbourne’s legacy.
