Mariah Carey paid tribute to her late mother while accepting the Icon Award at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
On Monday, March 17, she took the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to receive the prestigious honor, introduced by host LL Cool J. After R&B stars Muni Long and Tori Kelly performed two of Carey’s biggest hits, the 55-year-old icon delivered a heartfelt speech.
“Is the lighting okay? Because I don’t like bad lighting,” she joked before beginning her address.
“Thank you, iHeart, for this incredible honor. As a kid, I used to listen to my favorite artists on the radio and dream of being on the airwaves myself. For those of you who don’t know what airwaves are, think of it as the non-Wi-Fi version of streaming, OK?
“Even now, I still get excited when I hear one of my songs on the radio. It never stops being magical.”
She also expressed her gratitude to her devoted fans, affectionately known as her “Lambily.” “To my fans, Lambily, you’ve been with me every step of the way. Your love and loyalty are the greatest gifts, and I’m endlessly thankful for each one of you.”
In a poignant moment, Carey concluded her speech by honoring her late mother. “On this Saint Patrick’s Day, I want to honor my mother, Patricia Carey, for giving me the gift of music,” she said.
Carey’s mother and sister Alison both passed away last August.
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