“Even now, I nonetheless get excited once I hear one in every of my songs taking part in on the radio. It by no means stops being magical,” Carey gushed whereas accepting the award.
Mariah Carey simply cemented her icon standing.
On the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards on Monday evening, the elusive chanteuse stepped out to select up one of many evening’s particular trophies — as she was introduced with the Icon Award.
The glory is a celebration of her “unimaginable and influential profession as singer, songwriter, and producer, who has damaged just about each chart and touring file across the globe.” In a press release, iHeart referred to as her a “a fiercely impartial artist who set the bar for feminine stars at the moment,” whereas declaring 2025 can also be the twentieth anniversary of The Emancipation of Mimi.
Earlier than Carey was introduced the award, a few of R&B’s strongest voices helped paid tribute to the singer by overlaying a few of her largest hits, with Muni Lengthy singing “We Belong Collectively” and Tori Kelly overlaying “At all times Be My Child” earlier than she was introduced the award by the evening’s host, LL Cool J.
Tori Kelly participa da homenagem a Mariah Carey nos #iHeartAwards2025 pic.twitter.com/TggmBs5JdP
— Gustavo (@gustavobonotto) March 18, 2025
@gustavobonotto
I needed to rewind! Tori Kelly sounded so superb!!👏🏼👏🏼🩷🩷 #iHeartAwards2025 pic.twitter.com/yGNw1NSsUv
— IA (@MsIngridA) March 18, 2025
@MsIngridA
Throughout her speech, Carey kicked issues off by making a joke in regards to the lighting — one thing Mimi has turn into infamous for eager to have proper throughout her time within the music trade. She additionally gave the viewers a twirl, exhibiting off her black-fitted robe for the iHeartRadio Music Awards crowd and people at residence earlier than thanking iHeart for the consideration, and Muni and Tori for his or her shifting tributes.
“Thanks iHeart for the consideration. Thanks Muni and Tori for these lovely performances, and LL, thanks for these type phrases,” Carey started. “As a child, I used to hearken to my favourite artists on the radio, and dream of being on the airwaves myself. For these of you who could not know what airwaves are, considering of it because the non-WiFi model of streaming.”
Mariah Carey accepts the Icon Award on the #iHeartAwards2025 pic.twitter.com/phXDHsOL0I
— clubheartbreak (@clubheartbreak) March 18, 2025
@clubheartbreak
She continued, “Even now, I nonetheless get excited once I hear one in every of my songs taking part in on the radio. It by no means stops being magical. I wish to thank John Sykes, the President of iHeartRadio, and my first supervisor by the best way … some individuals assume it was this different man, but it surely wasn’t him, it was John — for believing in me from the beginning. And to Tom, Bob, all of the native and nationwide program administrators, DJs and even the interns who made certain I noticed pleasant faces once I confirmed up on the stations at 7 a.m. Not precisely my excellent wakeup time. I respect you all greater than you realize.”
Carey additionally thanked her followers, also called The Lambs.
“And to my followers, my lambily, you’ve got been with me by each step of this journey,” Carey gushed. “Your love and loyalty are the best reward, and I am endlessly thanks for every one in every of you.”
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Carey, who boasts each African American and Irish ancestry famous that receiving the award on St. Patrick’s Day was further particular, as she took a second to shoutout her late mom, Patricia Carey, who died in August 2024, for giving her “the reward of music.”
“Thanks a lot. Love you, love you, love you,” she mentioned earlier than making her manner off the stage.
Carey joins a star-studded listing of recipients, together with Cher, Elton John and Bon Jovi.
