Global entertainment icon Mariah Carey will receive the coveted Video Vanguard Award and perform a show-stopping, career-spanning medley of her biggest hits at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.
The best-selling female artist of all time returns to the “VMAs” stage for the first time in 20 years, with a full circle moment to accept the same award she presented to LL COOL J in 1997. Her last medley performance (2005) included chart-topper “We Belong Together,” from her multi-platinum 10th album The Emancipation of Mimi, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Known for her iconic videos including “Honey,” “Heartbreaker,” “Obsessed,” “Touch My Body,” “Breakdown,” and “#Beautiful,” the 5x GRAMMY® winner has sold 220 million+ albums worldwide and garnered 19 Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles (18 self-penned) – more than any solo artist in history. She is readying her milestone 16th studio album Here For It All (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).
