Mariah Carey Calls Out VMAs for Past Snubs During Acceptance Speech
Mariah Carey's latest achievement was far from a fantasy.
After all, the "Obsessed" singer accepted the highest achievement at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7: the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
With over three decades in the music industry, 16 solo studio albums and six Grammy wins, Mariah was honored with the lifetime achievement award by Ariana Grande. With the singer winning her first-ever VMA this year for her track "Type Dangerous," she had a special message for the award show.
"I just had one question," Mariah—who earned her first of nine nominations in 1996—began. “What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?"
It was all in jest, however, with her quickly adding, "I'm kidding. I love you!"
As Mariah accepted the award, she reflected on her attendance at the award show, including her presenting host LL Cool J with his Vanguard Award in 1997 and opening the 1998 ceremony with a "faux standoff" with Whitney Houston.
"Being here brings back amazing memories," the 56-year-old said. “Music videos are my way of life, of bringing music to my own life, mere movies visualizing the sheer frenzy 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."
"I've learned that music evolves, videos evolve, but the fun—that is eternal," she continued. "Thank you, MTV, for playing my videos."
It's been a golden year for the "All I Want For Christmas" singer as she also celebrates the 20th anniversary of her album, The Emancipation of Mimi, which became the best-selling album of the year in 2005 in the United States.
"I look at it as a very important time in my career, a very significant time for me as an artist," the 56-year-old told Billboard in 2020. "It was a sense of feeling triumphant when it was as successful as it was. I know a lot of people were introduced to me from that album, as well. So, I would just love for people to take away the music from that album."
In fact, she revealed that The Emancipation of Mimi, her 10th album, was the creative shakeup she needed at the time.
"It's got a fun feeling to it and it definitely feels free," Mariah explained to the Associated Press in April. "It sort of revitalized my career. I spent a while making that album."
She added, "It was an experience that I'll never forget, creating that album."
As Mariah celebrates her win, keep reading to see all the stars who attended the 2025 VMAs
In custom Fendi and Swarovski jewelry.
In custom Ludovic de Saint Sernin.
In Ludovic de Saint Sernin.
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