Only a handful of artists can boast having gained Mariah Carey‘s approval for tributes over the years (see: Yolanda Adams, Karen Clark-Sheard, Joe, Patti LaBelle, Tori Kelly, Kelly Rowland, etc.), but – even with the thumbs up delivered to their respective performances – the Songbird Supreme has made supremely clear that she’s not the biggest fan of people doing her songs.
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Hot on the promo trail for her September 26-released 16th studio album ‘Here for It All,’ Mariah ventured to ‘GQ‘ to dish on the new LP and so much more.
When quizzed on the viral video of her making uncomfortable facial expressions during Muni Long‘s tribute performance of ‘We Belong Together‘ at the iHeartRadio Music Awards 2025 earlier this year, Carey finally cleared the air.
“I didn’t even hear the cover [due to bad venue acoustics]. I didn’t know it happened. No one told me,” she told ‘GQ.’ “I’m very honored and flattered that she did it. I love Muni Long, she’s a great person, umm, but I just don’t like people doing my songs.”
The comments come months after Mariah’s fans – affectionately called #Lambs – slammed Long’s rendition of the 2005 classic.
So much so, the 37-year-old R&B diva took to social media at the height of the criticism to defend her tribute performance.
“Nobody can sing Mariah’s songs like Mariah. Nobody. I did my best, and that’s all I can do,” Muni said in a video shared. “[Mariah] told me I did a great job, she appreciated it. And that’s it.”
At the time, even Carey herself chimed in to confirm she approved.
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Ouch! This Diva dunno nothing..
“I don’t know her”
“I don’t know why I’m even here”
“I don’t hear it “
“I didn’t know it happened”
Wake up! Mariah! You can’t be drunk 24/7
I agree, her comment is classless and embarrasses Muni Long! shame on you drunkriah!!
It’s so pity of her. She should be honored, whatever the result is, that people want to do her songs. Whether it’s a professional or John Doe at the karaoke. Music is supposed to be shared. Not frozen like a botox face because she’s being a stuck up b**** who can’t even perform her own songs anymore.
I love your music Mariah but all of your stupid antics… how bout you GTFO.
I enjoyed Muni’s version.
Mariah’s tribute to herself was a lot worse. Imo.
Mariah is full of cow shıt. Muni Long told us that Mariah picked her to cover the record for the tribute. Which means she knew it was happening which means she could have asked for her to sing ANYTHING ELSE.
Mariah can have her opinion and I agree that it was a bad cover but why did she asked her to do it and told her she did a great job?
Something is not adding up
Maybe it’s her bipolar and meds?
Don’t know what’s going on… Anyway these new gurls can’t sing sing.
Right Ling Ling? 😂
I’m confused. A cover and tribute are two different things. Muni didn’t cover her song, which is a recording. What is Mariah talking about? Was she drunk?
Mariah has got to be the shadiest 😆 gotta love her though she’s a true diva.
Her comment is not okay. She could have kept it classy but instead ending with I didn’t hear it…. I don’t like people doing my songs puts a target on Muni Long. As a new artist that comment puts a negative light on Muni. Truth be told I’m a Mariah fan but not a fan of that comment. She should be glad someone is still singing her songs since she rarely…. Nvm
At least Muni was doing it live