Mariah Carey’s Performance at the 2025 VMAs Sparks Buzz

The "We Belong Together" hitmaker, who received the highest honor at the long-awaited awards ceremony, took the stage with a medley of her biggest hits. See the video below.

Mariah Carey attended MTV's 2025 Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Sunday evening, September 7. Although the singer chose not to walk the red carpet ahead of the ceremony, she still arrived in style.

She donned a chic all-black leather ensemble featuring a flared mini dress with a matching jacket. The look was completed with sheer glittery stockings, pointed lace-up boots, oversized sunglasses, and diamond jewelry.

Later, the "My All" songstress hit the stage to perform a medley of her smash hits, including "Sugar Sweet" and "Obsessed." She began her set wearing a flowing champagne-gold satin gown with feathered cuffs, cinched at the waist.

Midway through the performance, she stripped down to reveal a sparkling gold bodysuit covered in rhinestones, and styled with matching thigh-high boots. While her vocals shined, Carey swayed to the music with her dancers though she kept her movements minimal.

Although many enjoyed the set, some critics didn't hold back. "I love that Mariah always gives us nothing in performances ✨️ 😆," one viewer remarked.

"Could she actually have put less effort into it? Lol," another echoed. "Although I love her, she performed like a manequin…it was hard to watch it :/," a third fan shared.

"She can sing, but is she afraid to walk in those boots? Even Whitney would at least sway her hips. Such an odd performance," someone else added.

Following her performance, Carey was honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, presented by Ariana Grande. The lifetime achievement — her first ever VMA award — recognized the artist's longstanding contributions to music and popular culture.

"This moment is very heavy," Carey said in her acceptance speech. "I can't believe I'm getting my first VMA tonight. I just have one question: What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for? I'm kidding, I love you MTV, this is amazing."