Mariah Carey Reveals the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award Will Be the First VMA Win of Her 35-Year Career

Published: Friday 29th Aug 2025 by Rashad

Mariah Carey may tower in record books as one of the most successful female artists of all time, but one wouldn’t exactly know that if judging by her trophy case alone.

Beyond being overlooked by the GRAMMYs several times over the years, Carey – a staple on BET since her 1990 debut – collected her first BET Award in June 2025 in the form of the ‘Ultimate Icon’ honor.

Two months later, the Songbird Supreme flew to the top of headlines for being crowned the recipient of the next Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the VMAs in September.

Much to the surprise of many, however, the announcement – much like with BET before it – was accompanied with news the trophy will be the first she’s ever captured from MTV.

 

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Hot on the promo trail in support of her September 26-due album ‘Here for It All,’ Mariah dropped by California radio station 93.5 KDAY to dish on the project, rumored tour plans, and more.

When quizzed about her thoughts on being this year’s Vanguard honoree, Mimi was quick to share her elation.

“I was excited about all the awards that I’ve received [over my career], but the Vanguard award [is special because] I hadn’t had any other [MTV] Awards. When they said they were going to give me the Vanguard award, I was like ‘ok, this is great,'” she said to DJ Romeo (as seen in the video above).

Despite bursting onto the scene in 1990, Carey didn’t earn her first VMA nomination until 1996 for the historic chart-topper ‘One Sweet Day’ with Boyz II Men. From then until 2022, the diva only earned 6 other nominations – going home emptyhanded each time.

And while the Vanguard honor will end her losing streak, she could potentially change her competitive trajectory as well as she’s up for Best R&B Video at the 2025 ceremony thanks to the Joseph Kahn-directed ‘Type Dangerous‘ visual.

As far as fans (affectionately called #Lambs) getting to see a performance from the Songbird Supreme goes, she’s remaining tight-lipped.

“Possibly, I think it’s possibly” she said when quizzed on gracing the VMAs stage.

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  1. The Life of a Queen Guandong, Miss. Ling Ling is back y’allz!!!!!!! August 29, 2025

    Enjoy your dinosaur award, Grandmariah!!!

    😆

  2. Jenny on the roadblock August 29, 2025

    MTV hahahahahah..so 20 years ago b****!
    Stay in your coffin…why bother?

  3. OMG August 29, 2025

    Bey= Grammys
    Gradmariah= MTV??

    RIP

    • yup! August 30, 2025

      With a catalog as trash as Theifyonce’s, we all know she had to purchase every grammy she owns. She couldn’t steal those. 😆

      • LOL August 30, 2025

        Prove it..
        U talked shiteeeee…

  4. Claudia August 29, 2025

    Given the accusations tied to that name, I don’t think I would want an award that is associated with MJ.

  5. Diabetes UNBOTHERED August 29, 2025

    Why then would a UN-DECORATED artist Win the VANGUARD of all vma awards? lmao. That’s like FLYING before crawling 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣

  6. #TheTruth August 29, 2025

    She doesn’t have a lot of good videos but some like Honey, Heartbreaker or Obsessed definitely deserved a VMA.

    • Mmmm August 30, 2025

      This fat cow payola is lazy….nothing iconic about her. Cheap and yet tacky old cow.

  7. Juicée August 31, 2025

    Worrisome speech cadence!

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