If you thought Mariah Carey was just coasting on her legendary status, think again. The five-time Grammy winner is having one of the most remarkable years of her storied career, proving that after 35 years in the music industry, she's still breaking records, shattering expectations, and reminding everyone why she's the undisputed vocal powerhouse of our generation.
The Vanguard Moment That Made History
On September 7, 2025, Mariah Carey finally received her first-ever MTV Video Music Award—and it wasn't just any Moon Person. The iconic singer was honored with the prestigious Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, presented by none other than Ariana Grande, who bowed graciously before handing over the trophy.
"What in the Sam Hill took you so long?!" Carey joked during her acceptance speech, addressing MTV directly with her signature diva charm. The question was valid—with 19 Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles (more than any solo artist in history), the delay seemed almost absurd.
The performance that preceded her award was nothing short of spectacular. Dressed in a shimmering gold sequined bodysuit and matching high boots, Carey delivered a career-spanning medley that had the UBS Arena audience on their feet. She effortlessly moved through hits like "Sugar Sweet," "Fantasy (Bad Boy Remix)," "Honey," "Heartbreaker," "Obsessed," "It's Like That," "Type Dangerous," and the soul-stirring "We Belong Together".
The moment was particularly poignant given that Carey had presented the same award to LL Cool J—who happened to be hosting the 2025 VMAs—back in 1997. This full-circle moment demonstrated not just Carey's longevity, but her enduring relevance in an industry notorious for its fleeting attention spans.
"Here for It All": A Seven-Year Wait Worth Every Second
Just weeks after her VMAs triumph, Carey released "Here for It All" on September 26, 2025—her first studio album in seven years. The 11-track project showcases a singer who has somehow become more confident, more vulnerable, and more experimental with age.
The album opens with "Mi," a tongue-in-cheek ode to self-love where Carey demands Harry Winston diamonds and hot tubs over a finger-snapping rhythm. "It's an ode to self-love and self-care," Carey explained in an interview, adding with her characteristic humor, "I just visualize me in a hot tub every time".
Collaborations elevate the album significantly. Anderson .Paak appears on multiple tracks, including the '70s-inspired "Play This Song" and the sassy "Type Dangerous," which samples Eric B. & Rakim's "Eric B. Is President". "I definitely wanted to work with Anderson because he's so brilliant and amazing at what he does," Carey told Apple Music.
Other standout moments include:
"Sugar Sweet" featuring Kehlani and Shenseea—a dreamy pop confection as light as cotton candy
"Jesus I Do" with The Clark Sisters—a gospel-infused powerhouse that showcases Carey's legendary whistle register
"My Love"—a cover of Paul McCartney and Wings' 1973 classic that pays homage to Carey's childhood influences
The album's personal depth stems partly from profound loss. Carey worked on these tracks while mourning the deaths of her mother, Patricia, and estranged sister, Alison, who both passed away on the same day in August 2024.
"I don't know how I processed it," Carey admitted to CBS Mornings. "It was extremely difficult for me to navigate." Yet she found solace in her final days with her mother, a complicated relationship she had explored candidly in her 2020 memoir.
Breaking Records That Seem Unbreakable
To truly understand Carey's impact, you need to look at the numbers—and they're staggering:
19 Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles as a solo artist, tying with The Beatles' overall record of 20. She's the only artist to have her first five singles all reach number one, a record that still stands today.
77 weeks spent at number one as a songwriter on the Hot 100, more than any other songwriter in history.
Five-octave vocal range spanning from G2 to G7, with a whistle register that has become her signature. Vocal experts note that what sets Carey apart is not just hitting those impossibly high notes, but the control, emotion, and precision she maintains even at the "absolute edge of human vocal ability".
"All I Want for Christmas Is You" has become a cultural phenomenon and financial juggernaut. Released in 1994, the song has:
Earned an estimated $100 million in royalties as of 2023
Achieved Diamond certification in the US, Australia, Canada, and Sweden
Sold over 16 million copies worldwide
Topped the Hot 100 in six distinct runs (2019-2024), the only song ever to accomplish this feat
Holds the record for the longest span from release to number one—25 years
Selected by the Library of Congress for the National Recording Registry in 2023
The Japan Tour That Proved She's Still Got It
Throughout October 2025, Carey embarked on "The Celebration of Mimi 2025 Japan Tour," her first performances in the country in seven years. The tour celebrated three major milestones:
35th anniversary of her groundbreaking debut album
30th anniversary of her critically acclaimed "Daydream" album
20th anniversary of "The Emancipation of Mimi"
Shows in Kobe (October 28) and Yokohama (November 1-2) featured setlists packed with nostalgia and new material, including tracks from "Here for It All". Fans witnessed Carey's legendary vocals remain intact, her whistle notes still crystal clear, and her stage presence as commanding as ever.
MusiCares Names Carey 2026 Person of the Year
On October 21, 2025, MusiCares announced that Mariah Carey would be honored as the 2026 Person of the Year at a gala on January 30, 2026, at the Los Angeles Convention Center—just two nights before the Grammy Awards.
The honor recognizes not just Carey's extraordinary musical achievements, but her decades of philanthropic work. "Mariah Carey's influence extends far beyond her remarkable artistry," said MusiCares executive director Theresa Wolters. "Her work exemplifies the values at the heart of MusiCares: creating systems of care that lift people up and ensure music professionals and communities can thrive."
Carey's humanitarian efforts include:
Camp Mariah: Co-founded in 1994 with the Fresh Air Fund, providing three-week summer programs for inner-city youth with classes in film, photography, fashion, culinary arts, and career development
Hurricane Katrina relief: Substantial financial contributions and support for affected communities
COVID-19 pandemic response: Providing relief and resources during the global health crisis
Congressional Award winner in 1999 for humanitarian work with disadvantaged children
"I'm so honored to be named the 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year," Carey shared on social media. "Grateful to be celebrated through this special #GRAMMY Week event, raising vital funds to support the music community year-round."
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, called Carey "a true creative force and once-in-a-generation talent" whose "artistry and voice have helped shape the sound of our times".
The Christmas Queen Returns to Vegas
As if 2025 wasn't packed enough, Carey announced her holiday residency "Mariah Carey's Christmastime in Las Vegas" at Dolby Live at Park MGM. Running from November 28 through December 13, the 10-show spectacular promises to "transform the Strip into a winter wonderland filled with holiday hits, sparkle and Carey's legendary vocals".
The shows follow her successful "The Celebration of Mimi Live in Las Vegas" residency that ran in 2024 and 2025. And in a gesture of giving back, Carey and Live Nation are donating $1 from every ticket to Camp Mariah.
Given that "All I Want for Christmas Is You" has dominated the charts every holiday season since 2019, reaching number one for 18 total weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, these Vegas shows are guaranteed to be sold-out celebrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Life After Loss, Love, and Legacy
Despite facing one of the most difficult periods of her life with the simultaneous loss of her mother and sister, Carey has channeled her grief into creative expression. "I think songwriting has definitely been my outlet for what I need when I'm ever going through something," she told the Associated Press in September 2025. "Whenever I'm feeling like the need to express myself. It's definitely songwriting."
Her relationship with her twins, Monroe and Moroccan, now 14 years old, remains a source of joy and stability. The teenagers are beginning to explore their own artistic interests, with Monroe having performed alongside her mother during Christmas tours. "I think they're both very talented and smart," Carey said, "and if they want to pursue having a life as an entertainer, then I think they should".
Co-parenting with Nick Cannon has proven successful despite their divorce. "I think Nick and I have done pretty well in co-parenting, staying friends with each other so that we can talk," Carey told PEOPLE.
Carey has also been spotted with Anderson .Paak at various events, fueling romantic speculation, though the pair have primarily focused public attention on their professional collaboration on "Here for It All".
Why Mariah Carey's 2025 Matters
In an era where artists are often dismissed after hitting a certain age—especially women—Mariah Carey's 2025 stands as a defiant middle finger to ageism in the music industry. At 55 years old, she's not resting on her laurels or simply performing nostalgia tours. She's creating new music, earning major industry honors, breaking attendance records, and remaining culturally relevant.
The MTV Vanguard Award, the MusiCares honor, the successful album release, and the sold-out tour dates all send a clear message: Mariah Carey isn't a relic of the '90s—she's a living legend still operating at the peak of her powers.
Her whistle notes remain pristine. Her songwriting chops haven't dulled. Her stage presence commands attention. And her ability to balance vulnerability with confidence creates music that resonates across generations.
"I truly enjoyed the process of creating this album," Carey shared with Vogue. "I just went with the flow and allowed it to evolve naturally. From beginning to end, I had no idea how it would turn out—but it all came together beautifully."
As the Christmas season approaches and "All I Want for Christmas Is You" inevitably reclaims its throne on the charts, Carey will once again demonstrate why she earned the title "Queen of Christmas". But 2025 has proven she's so much more than a seasonal phenomenon—she's an artist who continues to evolve, inspire, and dominate.
With the MusiCares gala in January 2026 on the horizon, more Las Vegas residencies planned, and the possibility of new tours on the table, one thing is certain: Mariah Carey isn't going anywhere. She's here for it all, and we're incredibly lucky to be witnessing it.
