Mariah Carey. You know her. You love her. And you know that she has been a Billboard Chart-topper for over three decades (and counting). To add to her incredible list of achievements, Mariah will be this year's recipient of the Video Vanguard Award at the 2025 VMAs. also known as the Video Music Awards. The ceremony will be broadcast live for the first time ever at New York’s UBS Arena on CBS (with simulcast on MTV and VH1) on Sunday, September 7, at 8:00 PM EST, and will be hosted by another music legend, LL Cool J. It's considered one of the music industry's highest honors.
The 41st VMAs also mark Mariah's return to the stage after a twenty-year hiatus, as the songstress last appeared in 2005 and performed a blend of some of her most iconic music in a champagne floor-length gown. She presented the Vanguard to LL Cool J at the 1997 ceremony for his contributions as an R&B performer and producer.
Mariah Carey is a celebrated VMAs Queen
MTV released a promo teaser featuring Mariah, which included throwback clips and her music playing in the background. As we mentioned, the Vanguard Award is one of the music industry's top honors. In the past, winners included Katy Perry, Shakira, Beyoncé, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, and the British sensation, The Beatles.
"Who better to receive the Video Vanguard Award for her music and pop culture impact than the chart-topping, record-breaking, one-of-a-kind Mariah Carey?" the promo says. "An unforgettable, career-spanning performance during the live TV event of the year."
Mariah Carey will also release her 16th album this year
As if the Vanguard Award wasn't enough, Mariah will drop her anticipated 16th studio album, Here For It All on September 26. It's the first one since 2018 with Caution, and like every one of her records, lots of heart and soul, blood and tears was put into it. So you know it's going to be epic and everything.
Here for It All released two singles this year- "Type Dangerous" and "Sugar Sweet." Both tracks reflect Mariah's signature pop and R&B tones, and the former proves that the multi-Grammy winner can once again reign supreme in the charts. "Type Dangerous" charted at #1 on the Adult R&B Songs on Billboard, and came in at #95 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Type Dangerous" has been nominated for a "Moon Man" statue for "Best R&B Video" at this year's event. Its other contenders are The Weeknd, SZA, Chris Brown, Leon Thomas, Summer Walker, and PartyNextDoor.