Nuno Bettencourt Shares Ozzy Osbourne Memories at MTV VMAs 2025 (Exclusive)
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NEED TO KNOW
- Nuno Bettencourt said that the audience might be “in tears” after the Ozzy Osbourne tribute performance at the 2025 MTV VMAs
- Bettencourt performed at Osbourne’s final concert in July
- Osbourne died on July 22 at age 76
Ozzy Osbourne meant a lot to Nuno Bettencourt.
Speaking with PEOPLE on the red carpet of the 2025 MTV VMAs on Sunday, Sept. 7, Bettencourt teased his forthcoming tribute performance in honor of the late Black Sabbath frontman.
“It’s incredible. My 15-year-old self can’t believe it. We grew up on Ozzy. He changed rock and roll and metal as we know it,” Bettencourt, 58, told PEOPLE exclusively. “So I think the tribute tonight with myself, Yungblud, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry… it’s old blood and young blood tonight.”
Bettencourt added, “We’re gonna blow the roof off the place and I think the fans are gonna be pleased. Maybe a few tears at the end.”
In July, Bettencourt was part of Osbourne’s star-studded final concert with Black Sabbath at Villa Park in his native Birmingham, England. Reflecting on his experience, Bettencourt said he was initially worried about putting “all those big bands in one room together.”
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“You think it’s going to be very rockstar, egos, [but] it was like heavy metal summer camp,” he said. “It was like a bunch of kids because Ozzy was like our dad, our grandfather. It was like a community coming together and it felt like that all day and night. No ego.”
The rocker also recalled Osbourne making an appearance at the concert’s afterparty to say his final goodbye.
“He came through to say goodbye to all of us, give everyone a hug. It was — I’m almost tearing up telling you — the crowd left in tears. I think that’s gonna happen a little bit tonight as well. What an amazing man. What an amazing career.”
The Prince of Darkness died on July 22 at age 76. Afterward, Bettencourt and his band Extreme honored the “Crazy Train” singer with a medley of his hits at a concert in Zürich last month.
The 2025 MTV VMAs, hosted by LL Cool J, will also feature performances from Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Sombr, Alex Warren, J Balvin featuring DJ Snake, Post Malone, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll, Conan Gray and Tate McRae, among others.
Additional performers will include special honorees Mariah Carey, Ricky Martin and Busta Rhymes.
The 2025 MTV VMAs air live from New York’s UBS Arena on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and MTV. The ceremony will also stream on Paramount+.
Credit to Nypost AND Peoples
