Mariah Carey Named 2025 MTV VMA Video Vanguard Award Recipient

Mariah Carey is set to be honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award at the 2025 MTV VMA Awards.

The singer is being recognized as one of the best-selling female artists ever, with iconic music videos to back up her acclaimed pen. She will also perform at the ceremony for the first time in 20 years. For Carey, the moment comes full circle as she presented this year’s host, LL COOL J, with the Vanguard award in 1997.

Previous Michael Jackson Vanguard Award recipients include Katy Perry, most recently, as well as Shakira, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Rihanna, Missy Elliott, and more. David Bowie, The Beatles, and director Richard Lester shared the honor at the first-ever VMAs in 1984 before the honor was named in Jackson’s honor in 1991.

The R&B singer is also included in this year’s nominee class with her new single “Type Dangerous,” up for Best R&B. Lady Gaga has earned the most nominations this year with 12. Additional top nominees include Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar, ROSÉ, and Sabrina Carpenter. Additionally, rapper Busta Rhymes is set to receive the inaugural Rock The Bells Visionary Award, and Ricky Martin will be honored with the Latin Icon Award.

Nominated for the first time are Leon Thomas, Freddie Gibbs, Lay Bankz, and Brent Faiyaz. Performers named include Alex Warren, J Balvin ft. DJ Snake, Ricky Martin, Sabrina Carpenter, and sombr.

The 2025 MTV VMAs are set to broadcast live from UBS Arena on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS, simulcast on MTV, and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. Fans can vote for their favorite artists at the official website, vote.mtv.com, through Sept. 5, except Best New Artist, which remains active into the awards show.