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Mariah Carey has waited more than three decades for this moment. On September 7, the singer took the stage at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards to accept her first-ever Moon Person, winning Best R&B Video for "Type Dangerous" and receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
The night doubled as a celebration of her career. Wearing a gold sequined bodysuit and boots, Carey delivered a medley of hits that included "Fantasy," "Honey," "Heartbreaker," "Obsessed," "It's Like That," and "We Belong Together." She also performed her new single "Sugar Sweet" from her upcoming 16th album, Here for It All, set for release on September 26.
Introducing her, Ariana Grande described Carey as "the reason so many of us sing," and told the crowd that "as a vocalist, there's only one queen, and that's Mariah."
When Grande handed her the Vanguard Award, Carey couldn't resist poking fun at how long it had taken. "I just have one question: What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?" she asked with a smile, before adding, "I'm kidding. I love you! This is amazing."
The honor carried extra meaning for Carey, who had been nominated nine times since 1996 without a win. She reflected on her history with the VMAs, recalling the night she presented LL Cool J with the same award in 1997 and her light-hearted "faux standoff" with Whitney Houston at the 1998 show.
"Being here brings back amazing memories," Carey said. "Music videos are my way of life, of bringing music to my own life—mini movies, visualizing the sheer fantasy of it all. Let's be honest, sometimes it's just an excuse to bring the drama and do things I wouldn't do in real life." She added, "After all this time, I've learned that music evolves, videos evolve, but the fun—that is eternal. Thank you, MTV, for playing my videos. And to my fans, the Lambily, I love you so much."
For Carey, it was not just about finally receiving an overdue award but about reminding the world why her music continues to resonate across generations.
