Mariah Carey wins first ever MTV VMA: "What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for”

Mariah Carey Finally Claims Her First MTV VMA: “What in the Sam Hill Were You Waiting For?”

After more than three decades of shaping pop music and dazzling fans with iconic music videos, Mariah Carey has finally clinched her first-ever MTV Video Music Award.

The momentous occasion unfolded at the 2025 VMAs, held at New York’s UBS Arena, where Carey was honored with the prestigious Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, a recognition of her enduring influence on music video artistry.

Presented by Ariana Grande, the award marked a long-overdue milestone in Carey’s storied career.

With characteristic wit and warmth, Carey accepted the honor saying, “I just have one question: What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?” The crowd erupted in laughter and applause, acknowledging the irony that the woman behind 19 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits had never before received a VMA.

The evening was a nostalgic celebration of Carey’s visual legacy. She performed a glittering medley of her greatest hits, including “Fantasy,” “Honey,” “Heartbreaker,” “Obsessed,” “It’s Like That,” and “We Belong Together.” Dressed in a shimmering gold bodysuit, she commanded the stage with the same charisma that made her a household name in the early ’90s. Her set also featured her latest single “Sugar Sweet,” a collaboration with Kehlani and Shenseea, from her upcoming album Here for It All, slated for release on September 26.

In her acceptance speech, Carey reminisced about past VMA moments, including presenting LL Cool J with the same Vanguard Award in 1997 and her playful onstage “dress-off” with Whitney Houston in 1998. She reflected on the evolution of music videos, calling them “my way of life, of bringing music to my own life,” and celebrated their power to dramatize, fantasize, and entertain.

Adding to the night’s triumph, Carey also won Best R&B Video for her song “Type Dangerous,” making her a double winner and cementing her long-awaited VMA breakthrough. At 56, she became the oldest recipient of the Vanguard Award, proving that timeless talent transcends age and trends.

As she closed her speech with heartfelt thanks to MTV and her devoted fanbase, the Lambily, Carey reminded everyone that while music and visuals may evolve, the joy and drama of pop spectacle remain eternal.