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Mariah Carey to Receive Video Vanguard Award and Perform at 2025 MTV “VMAs” airing Sept. 7 on CBS
Mariah Carey to Receive Video Vanguard Award and Perform at 2025 MTV “VMAs”
airing Sept. 7 on CBS
Photo Credit: Ethan James Green
- 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, Sept. 7 at 8PM ET/5PM 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 (2005) included chart-topper “We Belong Together,” from her multi-platinum 10th album The Emancipation of Mimi, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.
- Mariah 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, Mariah 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 5x GRAMMY® winner has sold 220 million+ albums worldwide and garnered 19 Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles (18 self-penned) - more than any solo artist in history. She is readying her milestone 16th studio album Here For It All (Sept. 26), which includes 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 (1984).
- “VMAs” Press Assets:
ABOUT THE 2025 “VMAs”
- Production Credits: The 2025 “VMAs” are produced by Gunpowder & Sky. Bruce Gillmer, Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic, and Barb Bialkowski are executive producers. Alicia Portugal is co-executive producer. Jackie Barba is executive in charge of production. Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent. Lisa Lauricella is executive in charge of music talent.
- Sponsors: Official sponsors of the 2025 “VMAs” include BACARDÍ® Rum, Burger King®, DORITOS®, Downy Unstopables, Dunkin’®, The General Insurance®, PANTENE and Under Armour.
- Additional performers, presenters and special guests to be revealed in the coming weeks. Follow @CBS, @MTV & @VMAs on social to keep up with all-things #VMAs.
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*Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.
MTV Press Contacts:
Lauren Nowell: Lauren.Nowell@paramount.com
Ali Marszalkowski: Ali.Marszalkowski@paramount.com
Kelly Andersen: Kelly.Andersen@paramount.com
Parker Moreno: Parker.Moreno@paramount.com
Sophie Kaiser: Sophie.Kaiser@paramount.com
Triple 7 PR: vmas@triple7pr.com
CBS Press Contacts:
Kate Fisher: khfisher@cbs.com
Victoria Saavedra: Victoria.Saavedra@paramount.com
UBS Arena Press Contact:
Kerry Graue: kerry.graue@ubsarena.com
