After years of patiently waiting, Mariah Carey finally has a Moonman statue.
During the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, the “Obsessed” singer walked away with the Video Vanguard Award.
“Thank you so much MTV for giving me the Vanguard Award,” she told the audience on Sunday, September 7. “I can’t believe I’m getting my first VMA tonight. I just have one question. What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for? I’m kidding. I love your MTV. I love you so much.”
Ever since she released her debut album in 1990, Carey has been a staple on MTV thanks to her No. 1 hits and unforgettable music videos. She acknowledged some of her most memorable moments during her acceptance speech.
“Being here brings back amazing memories, like when I presented LL Cool J with his Vanguard Award, or when Whitney Houston and I opened the show with a full standoff,” she said. “I’ve learned that music evolves, videos evolve, but the fun? That is eternal. Thank you MTV for playing my videos and to my fans, I love you so much.”
Keep reading to learn more about Carey’s history with MTV.
How Many VMAs Has Mariah Carey Won?
Mariah Carey Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTV
Carey has won two VMAs. She has been nominated for nine VMAs throughout her career. Her first nod came in 1996 for Best R&B Video thanks to “One Sweet Day.”
She ultimately won her first Moonman on Sunday when MTV announced before the show that the winner for Best R&B Video was “Type Dangerous.”.
Later on in the live telecast, Carey accepted her second Moonman when presenter Ariana Grande presented her with the Video Vanguard Award.
How Many Times Has Mariah Carey Been a VMAs Presenter?
Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston KMazur/WireImage
Years before receiving her own Video Vanguard Award, Carey had the opportunity to present the same trophy to LL Cool J in 1997.
One year earlier, Carey presented Best Group Video to Foo Fighters.
Her most memorable presenting moment may have come in 1998 when she joined Whitney Houston to deliver the Best Male Video award. The lucky recipient was Will Smith thanks to his hit “Just the Two of Us.”
What Did Mariah Carey Do With Whitney Houston?
It was a playful battle of the divas in 1998 when Carey and Houston opened the show with a skit. During the unforgettable segment, both singers showed up wearing the same “custom” Vera Wang dress and tried to one-up each other.
When Did Mariah Carey Last Attend the VMAs?
Mariah Carey KMazur/WireImage
Carey hasn’t attended MTV’s annual awards show since 2005. At the time, she sang a medley of songs from her album The Emancipation of Mimi. When she returned in 2025, she performed another medley of hits from throughout her career, including “Obsessed” and “Fantasy.”
What’s Next for Mariah Carey?
In her acceptance speech, Carey reminded fans that her first album in seven years, Here for It All, will be released on Friday, September 26. The album’s lead single, “Type Dangerous,” debuted in June.
“Mariah is really pleased with the positive reception to her new song, ‘Type Dangerous,’” a source previously told Us Weekly. “She has high hopes for her upcoming album, as does her team.”
