Mariah Carey solidified her status as an unparalleled icon, mesmerizing the audience at the 2025 BET Awards with a captivating performance and a heartfelt, poignant acceptance speech. Honored with the prestigious BET Ultimate Icon Award—a milestone that marked her inaugural BET triumph—Carey commenced the evening with a mesmerizing rendition of her latest single, "Type Dangerous," featuring Rakim. Descending the stage in a breathtaking metallic gold mini dress concealed beneath an elegant white coat, she set the tone for an unforgettable evening.
Rakim joined her on stage for a mesmerizing collaboration, seamlessly blending his timeless 1986 hit, "Eric B. Is President," into their performance, creating a moment etched in memory. Busta Rhymes introduced Carey with a fiery, emotional speech that underscored her immense impact on the music landscape. "Mariah," he exclaimed, "is not merely a cultural icon for us all; she is the prototype for hip-hop-pop collaborations before it became fashionable. Whether you craved a soul-stirring ballad or a lively, upbeat tune, she had you covered." Rhymes humorously noted that Carey's music heralds the advent of the Christmas season.
Upon receiving her award, Carey expressed heartfelt gratitude and humility. "This means the world to me," she said, "especially coming from BET. Busta, you made me emotional backstage; watching you brought back so many memories. You've always been one of my favorites." She quipped about receiving the Ultimate Icon Award early in her career, saying, "If you're going to earn one, you might as well start with the Ultimate Icon Award."
In her poignant acceptance speech, Carey reflected on her life and career with deep emotion. "My life and career have been an incredible journey," she said. "I'll spare you the lengthy, detailed narrative tonight; it's all chronicled in my book. It took me some time, but I've finally realized that life is far too fleeting to live seeking others' approval, which I once did all too often." She emphasized the importance of self-love and individuality, urging her fans, "Be a diva, be a boss, be whoever you aspire to be. But above all, be iconic in all that you do."
