Mariah Carey Accepts Video Vanguard Win at 2025 MTV Video Music Awards

It’s a night to remember for Mariah Carey at the 2025 MTV VMAs!

On Sunday, Sept. 7, the R&B superstar received the Video Vanguard Award, which was presented to her by Ariana Grande, shortly after she won her first-ever Moon Person — Best R&B for her “Type Dangerous” music video.

“Thank you so much for MTV for giving me the Vanguard Award. I can’t believe I’m getting my first VMA tonight,” Carey, 56, said after telling Grande she was “so proud” of her. “I just have one question: What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for? I’m kidding. I love you.”

She continued, “Being here brings back amazing memories, like when I presented LL Cool J for his Vanguard Award. Or, when Whitney Houston and I opened the show with a faux standoff where we both had our dress, and we were like, ‘Try it on me.’ It was a moment.”

“Music videos are my way of life, of bringing music to my own life,” the star said. “Many movies visualizing the sheer fantasy of it all. And let’s be honest, sometimes there’s just an excuse to bring the drama and do things I wouldn’t do in real life.”

Carey then referenced dressing up in drag in the visual for “Obsessed,” playing her “alter-ego” Bianca in the music video for “Heartbreaker” and escaping the mob in the visual for “Honey” with a hot guy to a remote island.

“Well, that one really wasn’t much of a stretch, but you know, it happened anyway,” she said of the “Honey” video.

“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,” she said.

The five-time Grammy winner also performed a medley of her hits over the years, including “Sugar Sweet,” which features Kehlani and Shenseea, “Fantasy,” “Honey,” “Heartbreaker,” “Obsessed,” “It’s Like That,” which features Fatman Scoop and Jermaine Dupri and “We Belong Together.” She began the set in a gold, silk robe and transitioned into a glittery, gold bodysuit and matching boots.

Carey’s appearance marked her first time at the VMAs in 20 years. She previously presented the Vanguard Award to this year’s host, LL Cool J, in 1997.

In 1991, the “Obsessed” artist made her MTV VMAs debut when she performed “Emotions.” A few years later in 1998, she opened the awards show with Whitney Houston, when the duo notably wore the same dress.

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In addition to receiving the Video Vanguard Award, Carey won Best R&B for her song “Type Dangerous” from her forthcoming album Here for It All, out Sept. 26.

Prior to this year, Katy Perry, Shakira, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, LL Cool J, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake and Missy Elliott were honored with the Video Vanguard Award.

The 2025 MTV VMAs air live from UBS Arena in New York on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS (for the first time) and MTV. The ceremony will also stream on Paramount+.