Mariah Carey Named MusiCares 2026 Person of the Year

Mariah Carey has been selected as the 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year, with a tribute gala planned for January 30, 2026, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The event is timed to occur just 48 hours before the Grammy Awards ceremony. This prestigious accolade follows the recent launch of her sixteenth studio album, "Here For It All," and honors both her unparalleled contributions to music and her long-standing philanthropic commitments.

The choice to honor Carey reflects her dual legacy as an artistic trailblazer and a dedicated humanitarian. Her charitable initiatives have provided crucial aid during major crises, including relief for Hurricane Katrina survivors and support throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, she co-founded Camp Mariah in collaboration with the Fresh Air Fund—a program that provides transformative summer opportunities and career mentoring for youth from under-resourced backgrounds, with a strong emphasis on health and education. As Theresa Wolters, MusiCares’ executive director, stated, “Her work embodies the core values of MusiCares by establishing support systems that empower individuals.”

Harvey Mason Jr., who serves as CEO of both the Recording Academy and MusiCares, described Carey as “a genuine creative powerhouse and a generational talent.” He further remarked, “Her vocal artistry has fundamentally influenced the soundtrack of our era. We are excited to pay tribute to her incredible career during this unforgettable evening.” This sentiment was reinforced by Wolters, who highlighted that “Mariah Carey’s impact reaches well beyond her artistic achievements, as she has consistently leveraged her platform to deliver meaningful assistance to communities in need.”

With this honor, MusiCares continues a tradition launched in 1991, using the Person of the Year gala as its principal fundraising event. The proceeds directly sustain the organization’s essential programs, which provide a comprehensive safety net—including health, financial, and addiction recovery services—for music professionals during difficult periods. Carey now enters an exclusive group of past honorees, which includes such icons as Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton, Jon Bon Jovi, Tom Petty, and the Grateful Dead.

This recognition affirms Carey’s standing not only as a record-setting vocalist—the singer, whose 1990 debut single “Vision of Love” is widely credited with popularizing melisma in contemporary pop—but also as a committed advocate for social causes. Her sustained humanitarian work offers a model for how celebrity can be transformed into lasting, effective community support. The 2026 gala is set to be a historic celebration of an artist whose career has masterfully intertwined extraordinary commercial achievement with a deep and active social conscience.