Mariah Carey transformed the MTV Video Music Awards stage into a celebration of her three-decade career on Sunday night, delivering a theatrical medley of hits after receiving the coveted Video Vanguard Award. The honor, often dubbed the VMAs’ lifetime achievement prize, recognized Carey’s enduring influence as a vocalist, songwriter, producer, and visual innovator.

Carey’s performance was staged like a journey through her videography. Opening with “Sugar Sweet,” her recent collaboration with Shenseea and Kehlani (performed solo on the night), she immediately signaled that her legacy bridges generations. The set unfolded with nods to classic Carey eras: “Fantasy” and “Heartbreaker” came alive with roller-skating dancers and tongue-in-cheek theatrics. At one point, Carey reprised her longtime alter ego Bianca, first introduced in the “Heartbreaker” video in 1999 and dispatched her with mock exasperation. “Ew,” she quipped, “Why is she here?”

Behind her, screens rolled a montage of Carey’s most iconic videos, a reminder of her role in shaping pop’s visual landscape. “Music videos are my way of life,” Carey told the crowd. “They’re my fantasy, my chance to bring stories to life and yes, sometimes they’re just an excuse for drama.” The set also included “It’s Like That,” punctuated by a glowing Mimi sign, and culminated in “We Belong Together,” elevated by a live orchestra. The finale underscored Carey’s balance of spectacle and intimacy. “After all this time, I’ve learned that music evolves, videos evolve, but the fun, that is eternal,” she reflected.

Ariana Grande’s Tribute

Ariana Grande, who teamed up with Carey last year on a remix of “Yes, And?,” presented the award. In her introduction, Grande credited Carey as a lifelong inspiration and a singular force in music. “She is the reason why so many of us here sing,” Grande said. “There’s only one queen, and that’s Mariah. Her voice, her videos, her artistry have given us the soundtrack of our lives.”

Grande also highlighted Carey’s signature five-octave range and her impact on music video culture, from alter egos to high-concept storytelling. The presentation drew a standing ovation, cementing the night as a landmark moment.

Despite nine past nominations, Carey had never taken home a Moonman before Sunday. Songs like “One Sweet Day” with Boyz II Men (1996) and “We Belong Together” (2005) were fixtures on MTV but never won. Accepting the award, Carey joked about the delay. “I just have one question, what in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?” she said, though she also expressed gratitude for the channel’s support over the years. She recalled highlights such as presenting LL Cool J with his own Vanguard Award and her playful onstage “standoff” with Whitney Houston in 1998, a moment later recreated by Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa at the 2022 Grammys.

The honor arrives as Carey enters a new chapter. She is currently nominated for Best R&B Video for “Type Dangerous,” an action-themed visual directed by Joseph Kahn featuring cameos from Marlon Lundgren Garcia and YouTube star MrBeast. The track is part of her forthcoming album Here for It All, due September 26. The project, her 16th studio album and first since 2018’s Caution, features contributions from Anderson .Paak and gospel legends the Clark Sisters.