Mariah Carey Receives Icon Award at iHeartRadio Music Awards 2025
On March 17, 2025, Mariah Carey, the iconic multi-talented artist, was honored with the prestigious Icon Award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, which took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The event celebrated her remarkable contributions to the music industry over her illustrious career.
Tribute Performances That Captured the Audience
Before Mariah took to the stage for her acceptance speech, Muni Long and Tori Kelly delivered a heartfelt tribute. Their performances featured stunning renditions of two of Carey’s biggest hits: Long performed “We Belong Together”from 2005, while Kelly delivered “Always Be My Baby,”a beloved classic from 1995.
The tribute quickly garnered attention online, with various viewers expressing their opinions. Reactions ranged from admiration for the performances to critiques of Carey’s apparent lack of enthusiasm.
“She was not impressed lol.”
Many fans praised both artists for their efforts, highlighting their renditions as impressive tributes:
“Muni Long AND Tori Kelly are doing the Mariah Carey tribute?! I am seated,”one fan cheered.
“Tori Kelly for the Mariah Carey biopic!!”another commented.
“Muni, you did so well. I love you,”an admirer tweeted.
However, not everyone was impressed. Some viewers lamented that Carey did not seem to enjoy the tribute:
“Mariah wasn’t feeling it,”noted one observer.
“Mariah did not like the tribute, and I can see why. Muni Long and Tori’s renditions were not it,”another user articulated.
“I enjoyed this performance, especially Tori’s, but was Mariah satisfied? lol. I agree that Mariah’s songs are tough to cover,”remarked another viewer on X.
A Heartfelt Acceptance Speech
During her acceptance speech, Mariah Carey reflected on her journey in music. She humorously commented on lighting, saying:
“Is the lighting ok cause I don’t like bad lighting.”
Expressing her gratitude, Carey recalled listening to her favorite artists on the radio as a child, highlighting her dream of being part of the “airwaves.”She further explained:
“Now, for those of you who may not know what airwaves are, think of it as the non-WiFi of streaming.”
Carey conveyed her ongoing joy when hearing her songs on the radio today and took a moment to thank her fans for their unwavering support throughout her career. She concluded her heartfelt speech by honoring her late mother, Patricia Carey, a former opera singer, for inspiring her passion for music.
In addition to the award, Mariah Carey became a viral sensation for her candid reaction to Muni Long and Tori Kelly’s tribute performance. A particularly memorable moment was captured on video, where she turned to Anderson. Paak with a notable expression of surprise.
Fans have been speculating about a potential romance between Carey and Paak since late December, especially after they attended the event together. Paak was seen assisting Carey as she received her Icon Award, though neither has confirmed their relationship.
Supporting her from the audience were Carey’s children, Moroccan and Monroe, adding a heartfelt family touch to the event.
Noteworthy Awards from the Evening
Muni Long, who performed in honor of Carey, was also nominated for R&B Artist of the Year and R&B Song of the Year for her collaboration with Mariah on “Made For Me.”
Other winners of the night included Benson Boone, who snagged the Song of the Year Award, and Sabrina Carpenter, recognized as the Pop Artist of the Year. Billie Eilish’s album “Hit Me Hard and Soft”earned the Album of the Year title.
The iHeartRadio Music Awards can be streamed on iHeart’s platforms, allowing fans to relive the memorable performances and significant moments from the evening.