Mariah Carey Pays Tribute to Her Late Mother Patricia for Inspiring Her Musical Talent While Accepting the Icon Award at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards
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Carey joins a distinguished list of previous honorees, such as Cher, Elton John, Jennifer Lopez, and others.
Mariah Carey paid tribute to her mother while accepting the Icon Award at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
On March 17, the “Fantasy” singer took the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to receive the prestigious honor. Introduced by host LL Cool J, Carey, 55, began her speech after R&B artists Muni Long and Tori Kelly performed two of her most iconic songs.
“Is the lighting okay? Because I don’t like bad lighting,” she joked before starting her heartfelt speech.
“Thank you, iHeart, for this amazing honor. As a child, I would listen to my favorite artists on the radio and dream about hearing my own songs played one day,” Carey shared. “Now, for those unfamiliar with airwaves, think of it as the non-WiFi version of streaming, okay?” she joked. “Even now, I still get a thrill when one of my songs comes on the radio. That feeling never loses its magic.”
Carey also expressed her gratitude to her dedicated fans, lovingly known as her “Lambily.”
“To my fans, Lambily, you’ve been with me through every step of this journey,” she said. “Your love and loyalty mean the world to me, and I’m deeply grateful for each and every one of you.”
The “Obsessed” singer ended her speech with a heartfelt tribute to her late mother.
“On this Saint Patrick’s Day, I want to honor my mother, Patricia Carey, for blessing me with the gift of music,” Carey shared.
Her mother and sister, Alison, both passed away last August.
“My heart is broken that I lost my mother this past weekend,” Carey told PEOPLE at the time. “Tragically, my sister also passed away on the same day. I’m grateful I was able to spend my mom’s final week by her side. I truly appreciate everyone’s love, support, and respect for my privacy during this incredibly difficult time.”
Before Carey took the stage, R&B singers Muni Long and Tori Kelly delivered heartfelt performances in her honor. Long, 36, gave a powerful rendition of “We Belong Together,” while Kelly, 32, performed “Always Be My Baby,” during which Carey was seen joyfully singing along from the audience.
While introducing Carey, host LL Cool J, 57, praised her remarkable career.
“Year after year, decade after decade, Mariah has shared her incredible voice, songwriting talent, and deeply personal journey with fans worldwide,” he said. “Throughout her career, Mariah has shattered nearly every chart record, including holding the title as the solo artist with 19 No. 1 hits. This is the inspiring story of a hero, a dreamer, a butterfly, and a vision of love — someone who always leaves us feeling emotions. One of the greatest singers, songwriters, and artists of all time — the 2025 iHeartRadio Icon, Mariah Carey.”