Mariah Carey Accepts Video Vanguard Award From Ariana Grande, Performs Career-Spanning Medley at MTV VMAs

At the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Ariana Grande presented the prestigious Video Vanguard Award to Mariah Carey, hailing her as the definitive vocal queen. Grande praised Carey’s five-octave range and her lasting influence on both music and fashion, cementing her status as an icon.

Carey delivered a vibrant medley spanning her 30-year career, opening with the recent track "Sugar Sweet" before transitioning into the upbeat "Fantasy (Remix)." The set included a mashup of "Honey" and "Heartbreaker," featuring a surprise appearance from her comedic alter ego Bianca, and wrapped with powerful performances of "Obsessed," "It’s Like That," and the finale "We Belong Together."

Accepting the award, Carey mixed wit and emotion, joking, "What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?" while expressing genuine appreciation for the recognition. Earlier in the evening, she won Best R&B for "Type Dangerous," a single from her forthcoming album "Here For It All," due September 26.

This album marks Carey’s first full-length release since 2018’s "Caution" and includes previously shared tracks like "Type Dangerous" and "Sugar Sweet," which features Kehlani and Shenseea. The project also includes collaborations with Anderson .Paak—who co-wrote and co-produced the lead single—and gospel icons the Clark Sisters. Industry expert Miranda Flores observed, “With such a diverse lineup of contributors, this album bridges Carey’s classic sound with fresh, unexpected directions.”

Executive produced by L.A. Reid through his new company Mega, "Here For It All" is also Carey’s debut release on Gamma, the independent label founded in 2023 by former radio and music executive Larry Jackson. Reid called the collaboration “a game-changing moment,” pointing to a wider industry trend where established artists are increasingly choosing independence over traditional label deals. This shift allows veterans like Carey to maintain greater artistic and financial control, a movement that has gained momentum as streaming empowers creators to reach audiences directly.