Mariah Carey stole the spotlight at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, not just for receiving the prestigious Icon Award but for delivering an instantly viral moment during her acceptance speech and tribute performance. The singer’s on-stage charm, wit, and expressive reaction quickly ignited fan buzz across social media.
As she took to the stage at the Dolby Theatre, Carey paused and quipped, “Is the lighting OK cause I don’t like bad lighting,” drawing laughter from the audience and allowing production time to adjust the lights. The moment, full of classic Mariah flair, became an instant hit online.
Carey then twirled for the crowd and asked if they liked her outfit before diving into a heartfelt speech. “As a kid I used to listen to my favourite artists on the radio and dream of being on the airwaves myself,” she said. “Now, for those of you who may not know what airwaves are, think of it as the non-WiFi of streaming.”
She added, “Even now I still get excited when I hear one of my songs playing on the radio. It never stops being magical.”
In a subtle nod to her past, Carey thanked iHeartRadio President John Sykes as her first manager, saying, “He was my first manager. Some people think it was this other guy, but it wasn’t him. It was John,” indirectly referencing her ex-husband Tommy Mottola.
During the tribute performance, singers Tori Kelly and Muni Long honoured Carey by covering her iconic hits. While Long performed “We Belong Together,” cameras caught Carey making a noticeable facial expression, which quickly went viral and sparked a wave of memes online. Though the intent behind the expression remains unknown, it captivated fans and added yet another meme-worthy moment to Carey’s legacy.
The 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards not only celebrated Carey’s illustrious career but also showcased her enduring charisma and influence on pop culture.
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