Mariah Carey's latest accolade was anything but a pipe dream. After all, on September 7th, the "Obsessed" songstress claimed the pinnacle of honors at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards: the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. With a career spanning over three decades, 16 solo studio albums, and six Grammy wins under her belt, Mariah was bestowed this lifetime achievement award by none other than Ariana Grande. Fresh off her first-ever VMA win this year for her track "Type Dangerous," Mariah had a particularly pointed message for the awards ceremony.
"I just had one question," Mariah—who first secured a nomination back in 1996 among nine nods over the years—quipped. "What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?" Yet, it was all in jest, as she swiftly added, "I'm kidding. I love you!"
As Mariah accepted the award, she reminisced about her storied history with the event, including presenting host LL Cool J with his Vanguard Award in 1997 and opening the 1998 ceremony with a "faux standoff" alongside Whitney Houston. "Being here stirs up incredible memories," the 56-year-old mused. "Music videos are my lifeblood, my way of infusing music into my own existence, like mere movies bringing the sheer chaos of it all to life. Let's be real—sometimes, it's just an excuse to ramp up the drama and do things I'd never dare in real life."
"I've learned that music evolves, videos evolve, but the fun—that's timeless," she continued. "Thank you, MTV, for spinning my videos."
It's been a golden year for the "All I Want For Christmas" crooner, who is also celebrating the 20th anniversary of her album, The Emancipation of Mimi. That album soared to become the best-selling record of 2005 in the United States. "I see it as a pivotal moment in my career, a deeply significant time for me as an artist," the 56-year-old divulged to Billboard in 2020. "There was a sense of triumph when it achieved the success it did. I know it introduced many to my music for the first time, too. So, I just hope people continue to cherish the music from that album."
In fact, she revealed that The Emancipation of Mimi, her 10th studio effort, was the creative jolt she needed at the time. "It's got a playful vibe, and it definitely feels liberating," Mariah explained to the Associated Press in April. "It sort of breathed new life into my career. I poured my heart into making that album."
She added, "It was an unforgettable experience, crafting that album."
