Mariah Carey stole the spotlight at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on Monday night—not for her performance, but for her viral reaction to a tribute in her honor.
The 55-year-old singer was celebrated with an Icon Award, and artists Tori Kelly and Muni Long performed a medley of her biggest hits. However, when the camera panned to Carey during Long’s rendition of “We Belong Together,” she was seen turning her head slowly and giving a serious side-eye.
The moment immediately took over social media, with fans calling her the ultimate “meme queen.” One user on X declared that this reaction would “go down in history,” while another joked that Carey was wondering why Ariana Grande wasn’t booked for the tribute.
Mariah Carey’s Tribute Performance Reaction Sparks Debate
While her side-eye moment had the internet buzzing, Carey was also seen enjoying parts of the tribute, smiling during performances of “Always Be My Baby” and other fan-favorite songs.
Despite the online speculation, Carey has not publicly commented on her viral moment. However, her onstage remarks while accepting the Icon Award kept fans entertained. Before beginning her speech, she asked about the stage setup, saying she “doesn’t like bad lighting.”
She then shared her gratitude, expressing how magical it still feels to hear her music on the radio.
Long, who embraced the moment by sharing fan reactions to the tribute, later spoke to Billboard about how honored she was to perform for Carey. She listed “Mine,” “Heartbreaker,” and “My All” as some of her favorite songs from the pop icon.
Carey Shines in Glamorous Look Despite Skipping Red Carpet
Although Carey did not walk the event’s red carpet, she made a statement in a dazzling black gown and voluminous curls. Following the show, she took to Instagram to thank iHeartRadio, sharing a post with the caption, “Thank you, @iheartradio!! ✨❤️”
As social media continues to flood with reactions and memes, it’s clear that even without trying, Carey remains a pop culture phenomenon.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Jaja’s career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including Business Times and Brigada. As a news editor, she covered a wide range of beats, including business, economy, cryptocurrency, and personal finance. Additionally, she has successfully managed teams of writers producing content on gaming, technology, and entertainment.
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