After more than three decades of record-breaking hits and iconic videos, Mariah Carey finally has an MTV Video Music Award to her name.
On Sunday night, the pop legend received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, marking both her first VMA and a career-defining tribute.
A Long Overdue Recognition
Carey was introduced by Ariana Grande, who bowed deeply and showered her with air kisses before presenting the trophy.
“Thank you, MTV, for giving me the Vanguard Award. I can’t believe I’m getting my first VMA tonight,” Carey said with a smile. “I just have one question. What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?”
Her remark carried weight — since her debut with Vision of Love in 1990, Carey has earned 19 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles, more than any other solo artist in history.
A Medley of Timeless Hits
Before her acceptance, Carey performed a dazzling medley of classics, including Dreamlover, Heartbreaker, Obsessed, Like That, and We Belong Together.
Dressed in a gold sequined bodysuit and boots, and glowing under soft lighting, she commanded the stage alongside a troupe of male dancers, delivering peak diva energy that reminded fans of her unmatched legacy.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
In her speech, Carey reflected on the fun and spectacle of MTV’s past, recalling her 1998 faux standoff with Whitney Houston that opened the show. “It was a moment,” she laughed.
She closed by acknowledging how both music and music videos evolve, but emphasized what remains constant: “The fun — that is eternal.”
