Mariah Carey, 56, says 'fun is eternal' as she accepts MTV Video Vanguard Award
Melissa RuggieriThe 2025 VMAs represented “One Sweet Day” for Mariah Carey.
The diva who has flipped her hair and strutted in stilettos for a parade of iconic music videos including “Honey” and “Heartbreaker” received the ultimate anointment from MTV as the 2025 recipient of the Video Vanguard Award.
At the Sept. 7 VMAs, Carey accepted the award from a smitten Ariana Grande and joked, "This Moonman is very heavy!"
Somewhat unbelievably, the Video Vanguard Award is Carey's first VMA, a slight she she didn't let pass unnoticed.
"What the Sam Hell were you waiting for?" she asked as the crowd cheered in support.
But Carey's graciousness prevailed as she shared one of the reasons she loves making music videos is "an excuse to bring the drama."
"I've learned that music evolves, videos evolve, but the fun that is eternal," Carey, 56, said with a smile.
But Carey also took the UBS Arena stage in New York for more than self-congratulations. Her career-spanning medley of hits – "Heartbreaker," "Honey" and "Fantasy" among them – marked her first performance at the show in 20 years, when she dropped her megahit “We Belong Together” into a medley.
Carey’s accolade also represented another full-circle moment for the chanteuse. In 1997, she presented the same award to this year’s host, LL Cool J, which she recalled in her speech.
It’s been 34 years since Carey debuted on the VMAs with an octave-climbing performance of “Emotions.” It marked the infancy of a career that would make her one of the bestselling female artists of all time, with more than 225 million albums sold worldwide as well as 19 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 (18 of them self-penned) and six Grammy Awards, including the 2024 Grammy Global Impact Award, presented for amplifying Black voices in music.
The self-proclaimed Queen of Christmas, who this year wrapped her third Las Vegas residency that celebrated the 20th anniversary of “The Emancipation of Mimi” album, is readying the Sept. 26 release of her 16th studio album, “Here For it All.” The first single, “Type Dangerous,” was nominated for best R&B song at this year’s VMAs.
Carey’s addition of the Video Vanguard Award to her shelf of trophies puts in company with recent recipients Katy Perry, Shakira, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Madonna and Janet Jackson. The first award went to The Beatles and director Richard Lester in 1984.