Mariah Carey provided fans with a memorable moment at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards. She received the Icon Award at the ceremony held at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. Known for her wit and attention to detail, Carey took the stage and quickly commented on the event’s lighting.
“Is the lighting OK ’cause I don’t like bad lighting,” she said, giving the production team time to adjust. The audience cheered at this light-hearted moment. Carey engaged the crowd further by asking if they liked her outfit.
The crowd applauded enthusiastically as she twirled on stage. Carey shared a heartfelt memory of her childhood dreams.
Carey receives iHeartRadio Icon Award
“As a kid, I used to listen to my favorite artists on the radio and dream of being on the airwaves myself,” she said. “Now, for those of you who may not know what airwaves are, think of it as the non-WiFi of streaming.”
She added, “Even now I still get excited when I hear one of my songs playing on the radio. It never stops being magical.”
During her speech, Carey subtly hinted at her ex-husband, Tommy Mottola.
After thanking John Sykes, the president of iHeartRadio, she said, “He was my first manager. Some people think it was this other guy, but it wasn’t him. It was John.”
Tori Kelly and Muni Long performed a tribute to Carey, singing some of her greatest hits.
During Long’s rendition of “We Belong Together,” cameras caught Carey making a facial expression that quickly went viral and became a new meme sensation. The evening showcased Carey’s lasting influence on the music industry and her unique ability to engage and entertain audiences.
Photo by; Danny Howe on Unsplash
