Mariah Carey Releases Here for It All

Mariah Carey released her 16th studio album, Here for It All, on Sept. 26 — a seven-year follow-up that blends her signature R&B with new collaborations including Kehlani, Shenseea and gospel group the Clark Sisters. Anderson .Paak is a prominent collaborator who appears alongside Carey in the black-and-white “Play This Song” video; affectionate moments in the clip and past hand-holding photos have intensified dating rumors Carey has repeatedly declined to define, joking about a “hand-holding club.” She made the record amid heavy personal loss after her mother Patricia and estranged sister Alison died on the same day in August 2024; Carey says she found some peace with her mother before she died and channels grief and faith on tracks such as “Jesus I Do.” Carey has promoted the album with high-profile performances and tributes this year, including iHeartRadio and BET events and VMAs appearances, positioning the release as a reflective artistic statement rather than a chase for chart hits. She has also addressed other media moments, saying she didn't hear Muni Long's iHeartRadio cover of “We Belong Together” and that while flattered she generally dislikes others covering her songs, and she has lightly criticized the Grammys for not honoring her more.