On the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards on Monday night time, the elusive chanteuse stepped out to choose up one of many night time’s particular trophies — as she was introduced with the Icon Award.

The glory is a celebration of her “unbelievable and influential profession as singer, songwriter, and producer, who has damaged nearly each chart and touring document across the globe.” In a press release, iHeart known as her a “a fiercely unbiased artist who set the bar for feminine stars at the moment,” whereas mentioning 2025 can be the twentieth anniversary of The Emancipation of Mimi.

Earlier than Carey was introduced the award, a few of R&B’s strongest voices helped paid tribute to the singer by overlaying a few of her largest hits, with Muni Lengthy singing “We Belong Collectively” and Tori Kelly overlaying “At all times Be My Child” earlier than she was introduced the award by the night time’s host, LL Cool J.

Throughout her speech, Carey kicked issues off by making a joke concerning the lighting — one thing Mimi has change into infamous for eager to have proper throughout her time within the music business. She additionally gave the viewers a twirl, displaying off her black-fitted robe for the iHeartRadio Music Awards crowd and people at dwelling earlier than thanking iHeart for the consideration, and Muni and Tori for his or her shifting tributes.

“Thanks iHeart for the consideration. Thanks Muni and Tori for these stunning performances, and LL, thanks for these sort phrases,” Carey started. “As a child, I used to take heed to my favourite artists on the radio, and dream of being on the airwaves myself. For these of you who could not know what airwaves are, considering of it because the non-WiFi model of streaming.”

She continued, “Even now, I nonetheless get excited once I hear one in every of my songs taking part in on the radio. It by no means stops being magical. I wish to thank John Sykes, the President of iHeartRadio, and my first supervisor by the best way … some folks suppose it was this different man, however it wasn’t him, it was John — for believing in me from the beginning. And to Tom, Bob, all of the native and nationwide program administrators, DJs and even the interns who made certain I noticed pleasant faces once I confirmed up on the stations at 7 a.m. Not precisely my ultimate wakeup time. I recognize you all greater than you understand.”

Carey additionally thanked her followers, also called The Lambs.

“And to my followers, my lambily, you have been with me by way of each step of this journey,” Carey gushed. “Your love and loyalty are the best reward, and I am endlessly thanks for every one in every of you.”

Carey, who boasts each African American and Irish ancestry famous that receiving the award on St. Patrick’s Day was further particular, as she took a second to shoutout her late mom, Patricia Carey, who died in August 2024, for giving her “the reward of music.”

“Thanks a lot. Love you, love you, love you,” she mentioned earlier than making her approach off the stage.

Carey joins a star-studded checklist of recipients, together with Cher, Elton John and Bon Jovi.