Mariah Carey Wins Video Vanguard, Faces Criticism for VMAs Performance

Mariah Carey received the MTV Video Music Awards' prestigious Video Vanguard Award in 2025, marking her first-ever VMA win, which she humorously noted had been a long time coming. The award was presented by Ariana Grande, who praised Carey as a lifelong inspiration. Carey performed a medley of her greatest hits, including 'Sugar Sweet,' 'Fantasy,' 'Heartbreaker,' and 'We Belong Together,' accompanied by theatrical set designs and dancers. However, her performance received mixed reactions, with many viewers criticizing her for appearing stiff and possibly lip-syncing. Fans expressed concern over her energy and movement, referencing previous performances where she seemed slowed or unwell. Despite the critiques, Carey emphasized in her speech that while music and videos evolve, the fun and creativity remain eternal.