Mariah Carey is maintaining a sense of humility as she approaches a significant milestone. In a recent interview for Billboard's cover story, the iconic singer discussed her career and her upcoming MusiCares honor, where she will be crowned with the title of Person of the Year for 2026. During the conversation, Carey revealed why she doesn't refer to herself as a "legend," despite having nineteen No. 1 hits and being a five-time Grammy winner. "Everyone has their own unique interpretation of words," Carey shared. "But I don't consider myself a legend. I'm still working hard and trying my best," she explained.
Elsewhere in the interview, Carey revealed a valuable lesson she's learned throughout her music career. "The most important lesson I've learned is to be true to yourself," she added. "I was fortunate enough to be able to do that. There were certainly challenges along the way, but here I am."
Theresa Wolters, the executive director of MusiCares, previously praised Carey's influence, stating, "Mariah Carey's impact extends far beyond her remarkable talent. She has consistently used her platform to provide tangible support to communities, whether through disaster relief, youth empowerment, or programs that help those facing barriers to opportunity. Her work embodies the values at the heart of MusiCares: creating systems of care that uplift people and ensure that music professionals and communities can thrive."
