Mariah Carey Provides Shoutout to Late Mom Whereas Accepting Icon Award at iHeartRadio Music Awards

On the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards on Monday evening, the elusive chanteuse stepped out to choose up one of many evening’s particular trophies — as she was offered with the Icon Award.

The consideration 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 an announcement, iHeart referred to as her a “a fiercely unbiased artist who set the bar for feminine stars at the moment,” whereas stating 2025 can be the twentieth anniversary of The Emancipation of Mimi.

Earlier than Carey was offered the award, a few of R&B’s strongest voices helped paid tribute to the singer by protecting a few of her greatest hits, with Muni Lengthy singing “We Belong Collectively” and Tori Kelly protecting “All the time Be My Child” earlier than she was offered the award by the evening’s host, LL Cool J.

Throughout her speech, Carey kicked issues off by making a joke in regards to the lighting — one thing Mimi has turn into infamous for desirous to have proper throughout her time within the music trade. She additionally gave the viewers a twirl, displaying off her black-fitted robe for the iHeartRadio Music Awards crowd and people at residence earlier than thanking iHeart for the respect, and Muni and Tori for his or her shifting tributes.

“Thanks iHeart for the respect. Thanks Muni and Tori for these stunning performances, and LL, thanks for these type phrases,” Carey started. “As a child, I used to take heed 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, pondering of it because the non-WiFi model of streaming.”

She continued, “Even now, I nonetheless get excited after I hear one among my songs enjoying on the radio. It by no means stops being magical. I need to thank John Sykes, the President of iHeartRadio, and my first supervisor by the way in which … some individuals suppose 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 positive I noticed pleasant faces after I confirmed up on the stations at 7 a.m. Not precisely my perfect wakeup time. I admire you all greater than you recognize.”

Carey additionally thanked her followers, also called The Lambs.

“And to my followers, my lambily, you’ve got been with me by way of each step of this journey,” Carey gushed. “Your love and loyalty are the best reward, and I am endlessly thanks for every one among you.”

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 stated earlier than making her approach off the stage.

Carey joins a star-studded listing of recipients, together with Cher, Elton John and Bon Jovi.