The show airs live on September 7th on CBS
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 VMAs hosted by LL Cool J, live from New York’s UBS Arena airing coast-to-coast Sunday, September 7th at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT on the CBS Television Network, simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S.
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 in 2005 included chart-topper “We Belong Together,” from her multi-platinum tenth album, The Emancipation of Mimi, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Carey made her VMAs debut in 1991 with a masterful performance of “Emotions,” in her first award show performance of the song, stunning audiences with her powerhouse five-octave vocal range.
In 1998, Carey and Whitney Houston opened the show in an iconic pop culture moment when the two “accidentally” wore the same dress.
Known for her iconic videos including “Honey,” “Heartbreaker,” “Obsessed,” “Touch My Body,” “Breakdown,” and “#Beautiful,” the five-time Grammy winner has sold over 220 million albums worldwide and garnered 19 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles with 18 being self-penned – more than any solo artist in history. She is readying her milestone 16th studio album Here For It All on September 26th, which includes the 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 in 1984.
