Global entertainment icon Mariah Carey will receive the coveted Video Vanguard Award and perform a show-stopping, career-spanning medley of her biggest hits LIVE atthe 2025 MTV VMAs, hosted by LL COOL J, LIVE from New York’s UBS Arena airing coast-to-coast Sunday, Sept. 7 at 8:00 PM, ET/5:00 PM, PTon the CBS Television Network, simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S.*
The best-selling female artist of all time returns to the VMAs stage for the first time in 20 years, with a full circle moment to accept the same award she presented to LL COOL J in 1997. Her last medley performance (2005) included chart-topper “We Belong Together,” from her multiplatinum 10th album The Emancipation of Mimi, which recently celebrated its 20thanniversary.
Mariah made her VMAs debut in 1991 with a masterful performance of “Emotions,” her first awards show performance of the song, stunning audiences with her powerhouse five-octave vocal range.
In 1998, Mariah and Whitney Houston opened the show in an iconic pop culture moment when the two “accidentally” wore the same dress.
Known for her iconic videos including “Honey,” “Heartbreaker,” “Obsessed,” “Touch My Body,” “Breakdown” and “#Beautiful,” the five-time GRAMMY® winner has sold over 220 million albums worldwide and garnered 19 Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles (18 self-penned) – more than any solo artist in history. She is readying her milestone 16th studio album Here for It All (Sept. 26), which includes new single “Type Dangerous,” up for Best R&B this year.
Previous Michael Jackson Vanguard Award recipients include Katy Perry, Shakira, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, LL COOL J, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake and Missy Elliott.David Bowie, The Beatles and director Richard Lester shared the honor at the first-ever VMAs (1984).