Mariah Carey will be honored with MTV VMAs‘ Video Vanguard Award and perform a medley of her biggest hits at the 2025 show, the network announced Thursday. Hosted by LL Cool J, the awards show will air live from New York’s UBS Arena on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT on CBS, simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S.
It’s a full circle moment for Carey, who returns to the VMAs for the first time in 20 years to accept the same award she presented to LL Cool J in 1997. The award is given to artists for their “outstanding contributions” and “profound impact” on music videos and popular culture.
Carey last performed on the show in 2005 with “We Belong Together,” from her multi-platinum 10th album The Emancipation of Mimi, which recently marked its 20th anniversary.
Carey made her VMAs debut in 1991 with a show-stopping performance of “Emotions”. She returned in 1998 to open the show with Whitney Houston, in a viral pop culture moment when the two “accidentally” wore the same dress.
Known for her videos including “Honey,” “Heartbreaker,” “Obsessed,” “Touch My Body,” “Breakdown,” and “#Beautiful,” the five-time Grammy winner has sold 220 million+ albums worldwide and earned 19 Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles (18 self-penned) – more than any solo artist in history. She is prepping her milestone 16th studio album Here For It All to be released on Sept. 26, which includes new single “Type Dangerous,” up for Best R&B this year.
Previous Michael Jackson Vanguard Award recipients include Katy Perry, Shakira, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, LL COOL J, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake and Missy Elliott. David Bowie, The Beatles and director Richard Lester shared the honor at the first-ever VMAs (1984).
The 2025 VMAs are produced by Gunpowder & Sky. Bruce Gillmer, Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic, and Barb Bialkowski are executive producers. Alicia Portugal is co-executive producer. Jackie Barba is executive in charge of production. Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent. Lisa Lauricella is executive in charge of music talent.
Additional performers, presenters and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks.
