Mariah Carey finally received her flowers at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, but the night didn’t go as smoothly as she may have hoped.
The “Obsessed” singer was honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award and performed a medley of her greatest hits.
However, what should have been a career highlight quickly turned into a debate online, with fans dragging her performance and reviving long-standing criticisms about her stage presence.
Mariah Carey Jokes About VMAs Snub While Accepting Lifetime Honor
Carey made sure to celebrate her long-awaited recognition with humor.
Accepting her first-ever VMA, the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, she poked fun at MTV for taking nearly three decades to honor her.
“I just had one question. What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?” she quipped, before adding, “I’m kidding. I love you!”
Presented by Ariana Grande, who praised her as a musical influence, Mariah received the award after a glittering performance of hits like “Sugar Sweet,” “Fantasy,” “Honey,” “Obsessed,” and “It’s Like That.”
Wearing a gold bodysuit, she told the crowd, “Music videos are my way of life… let’s be honest, sometimes, it’s just an excuse to bring the drama and do things I wouldn’t do in real life.”
“I’ve learned that music evolves, videos evolve, but the fun — that is eternal,” she continued. “Thank you, MTV, for playing my videos.”
Later, in a backstage clip, Carey jokingly reflected on finally receiving the honor for the second time.
She noted that it was the first time in her career she had been given a Moonman trophy and expressed her gratitude to MTV.
“Thank you so much, MTV. This is amazing,” she said per The Independent, before joking about the long wait. “I don’t know why it took so long to happen, but… hehe just kidding.”
Carey’s Performance Sparks Backlash Online
Despite the applause in the arena, many viewers watching at home weren’t impressed.
On X, fans mocked her performance as low-energy and uninspired. Several said she appeared stiff and barely moved on stage.
“Mariah Carey being introduced as the queen of vocals and she’s just lip syncing,” one user wrote per the Daily Mail. Another added, “Mariah doing the least possible movement.”
Some went further, accusing Carey of giving fans little effort.
One person commented, “Mariah stay giving us the bare minimum,” while another said, “Mariah out here all stiff and s**t… girl if you got back problems tell ’em you can’t perform.”
Others simply remarked that she was “just existing on stage” and “not moving at all.”
Fans Say Mariah Carey Is ‘Iconic’ Even While Doing The Bare Minimum
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Not all the reactions were negative, as some viewers found her minimal effort amusing and strangely iconic.
One fan posted, “Literally she just walks back and forth,” while another joked, “Mariah Carey you go girl give us nothing you icon.”
A third noted, “I love Mariah Carey’s voice but she’s got less energy than me on a Sunday night.”
Another fan chimed in that she was “like a statue on stage it’s so FUNNY omfg.”
An impressed fan added, “Mariah literally has nothing to prove she’s been doing it for more than 30 YEARSSS she is an Icon she’s Legendaryyy!!! Thee Songbird Supreme!”
Others looked at the criticism differently, seeing it as part of what makes her stand out, with one tweet reading, “Mariah Carey legit has absolutely zero stage presence it’s honestly so iconic.”
Carey Previously Slammed The Grammys For Snubbing Her
Mariah Carey’s playful VMAs jab wasn’t the first time she has spoken out about being overlooked by major award shows.
Just weeks earlier, she blasted the Grammys during an appearance on Pitchfork’s “Over/Under” YouTube series.
When asked about the music industry’s biggest award, she responded bluntly, “Ha, I think the Grammys are overrated.”
She clarified that she meant both the event and the award itself, while still softening her statement with, “But we love everybody.”
The comments reminded people of her tense relationship with the Grammys, as many believe the awards have failed to honor her legacy in pop and R&B.
Fans Previously Raised Concerns Over Mariah Carey’s Vegas Shows
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This isn’t the first time the record producer has faced criticism over her stage presence.
In February 2025, The Blast reported that fans shared clips from Carey’s Las Vegas residency that showed her moving slowly across the stage, sparking questions about her health.
Some wondered if she was in pain, while others speculated that the footage looked more like a rehearsal than a real performance.
The videos quickly circulated online, with worried fans debating whether the singer was struggling behind the scenes.
While no official explanation was given, the conversation echoed the same concerns raised after her VMAs set.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
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