Mariah Carey Reflects on Her Viral Response to Muni Long’s ‘We Belong Together’ Tribute: “I Just Don’t Like People Doing My Songs”

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.

[photo sources: Getty Images / AP Photos]