Mariah Carey achieved a long-awaited milestone at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards by winning her first VMA and receiving the Video Vanguard Award, with a performance that highlighted her enduring star power. In her acceptance speech, she humorously questioned the delay in recognition, endearing herself to the audience.
The event took place on September 7, 2025, at UBS Arena in New York, where Carey was presented with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award by Ariana Grande. Carey expressed pride in Grande’s accomplishments and joked about the lengthy wait for her first VMA win.
Prior to accepting the award, Carey delivered a captivating performance medley that included hits like ‘Sugar Sweet’ featuring Kehlani and Shenseea, ‘Fantasy,’ ‘Honey,’ ‘Heartbreaker,’ ‘Obsessed,’ ‘It’s Like That’ with Fatman Scoop and Jermaine Dupri, and ‘We Belong Together.’ She began in a gold silk robe before transitioning to a glittering gold bodysuit and boots, showcasing her vocal range and theatrical style surrounded by dancers.
In her speech, Carey reflected on her history with the VMAs, recalling memorable moments such as presenting the Vanguard Award to LL Cool J in 1997 and the infamous 1998 opening with Whitney Houston where they wore matching dresses. She emphasized the evolution of music videos, noting how they allow for fantasy and drama, and shared anecdotes from iconic videos like dressing in drag for ‘Obsessed’ and playing her alter-ego Bianca in ‘Heartbreaker.’
Beyond the Vanguard Award, Carey won Best R&B for ‘Type Dangerous,’ her first Moon Person trophy, from her upcoming album ‘Here for It All,’ set for release on September 26. This adds to her record-breaking achievements, including 19 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, more than any other solo artist.
Her return to the VMAs after 20 years was significant, as she last performed in 2005. The awards show, hosted by LL Cool J, honored her alongside other music legends like Beyoncé, Madonna, and Missy Elliott who have previously received the Video Vanguard Award.
This recognition celebrates Carey’s contributions to music and video production, with fans and peers applauding the belated honor. It sets the stage for her new album and underscores her lasting impact on pop culture, reinforcing her status as an icon in the entertainment industry.