Okay Lambs get ready to cheer because Mariah Carey just snagged the Icon Award at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards and it was everything you'd expect from the Queen herself. From a classic Mariah lighting check to a touching speech and incredible tributes it was a night to remember for Mimi and her fans.
Mariah Being Mariah: Lighting Jokes Hilarious Speech and a Hint at Tommy Mottola?!
Leave it to Mariah to make an Icon Award acceptance speech totally iconic. Before even getting into the heartfelt stuff Mariah had to make sure the stage was set – literally. She started her speech with a signature Mariah moment asking "Is the lighting OK cause I don’t like bad lighting." Of course the crowd went wild. It was pure Mariah charm and everyone ate it up.
She then joked about airwaves for those who might not know what radio is in this streaming age calling it the "non-WiFi version of streaming." Always keeping it current and funny right? But in true Mariah style she also got real about her journey saying how magical it still feels to hear her songs on the radio. It's clear that even after all these years the music still means everything to her.
And did you catch that little hint about her ex Tommy Mottola? When thanking iHeartRadio president John Sykes her first manager she made a point to say "Some people think it was this other guy but it wasn’t him. It was John." Subtle shade or just setting the record straight? Either way it was classic Mariah being a little bit cheeky.
Tori Kelly and Muni Long Bring the House Down with Epic Mariah Tributes (and Mariah's Reactions Are Priceless!)
Before Mariah even took the stage she was treated to an amazing tribute. R&B stars Tori Kelly and Muni Long performed some of Mariah's biggest hits and it was incredible. Muni Long kicked things off with a moving version of "We Belong Together" and Tori Kelly followed with a soulful rendition of "Always Be My Baby."
Cameras caught Mariah in the audience watching the tributes and her reactions were gold. She was beaming singing along and giving Tori Kelly a huge smile and applause. It was so heartwarming to see Mariah genuinely enjoying and appreciating these talented artists celebrating her work. Those reaction shots are already turning into instant meme-worthy moments online.
More Than Just an Icon Award: Mariah's Heartfelt Tribute to Her Late Mother Patricia Carey
Amidst the jokes and glamour Mariah made sure to bring it back to what truly matters – family. She ended her speech with a touching Tribute to Her Late Mother Patricia Carey who sadly passed away last year. On St. Patrick's Day Mariah honored her mom "for giving me the gift of music." It was a beautiful and emotional moment especially considering Mariah also lost her sister Alison around the same time.
You could really feel the emotion in her voice as she spoke about her mother. It was a reminder that even as an "Icon" Mariah is still grounded and cherishes her personal connections above all else. This heartfelt tribute added a layer of depth to her Icon Award making it even more meaningful.
Mariah's Reign Continues: Record-Breaking Christmas Hits Vegas Residency and Now an Icon Award
Let's be real Mariah Carey is not just having a moment she IS the moment – and has been for decades. This Icon Award is just another well-deserved addition to her already overflowing trophy case. Remember her "Celebration of Mimi" residency in Vegas? Sold out shows and pure Mariah magic. And of course "All I Want for Christmas Is You" topping the charts AGAIN for the 17th time – a record breaker even after all these years.
Mariah's career is truly legendary. Best-selling female artist of all time over 200 million records sold 19 #1 singles – the list goes on and on. But beyond the stats it's her voice her songwriting her unwavering independence that has cemented her place as a true Icon. The iHeartRadio Icon Award is just the latest confirmation – Mariah Carey's reign at the top is far from over.
Highlights of Mariah Carey's iHeartRadio Music Icon Award Speech:
- Lighting Check Opener: "Is the lighting OK cause I don’t like bad lighting." - Classic Mariah humor!
- Radio vs. Streaming Joke: Explained airwaves as the "non-WiFi version of streaming" for the younger crowd.
- Grateful for Fans: Thanked her "Lambily" for their unwavering love and loyalty.
- Hint about First Manager: Joked about John Sykes being her first manager shutting down rumors about Tommy Mottola.
- Touching Mother's Day Tribute: Honored her late mother Patricia Carey for "giving me the gift of music" on St. Patrick's Day.