She’s been belting out hits and cinematic music videos for 35 years, but Mariah Carey had never won an MTV Video Music Award until Sunday.

With air kisses and a deep bow, Ariana Grande presented the singer with MTV’s career achievement recognition, the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

“Thank you, MTV for giving me the Vanguard Award. I can’t believe I’m getting my first VMA tonight,” Carey said. “I just have one question. What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?” Mariah Carey Accepts Vanguard Award | 2025 Video Music Awards

Carey had a point. Following her first No. 1 single, “Vision of Love,” in 1990, she went on to release 18 other songs that rose to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 - more than any other solo artist in history.

Prior to her acceptance speech, Carey performe

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