Mariah Carey’s reaction at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards has the internet talking. The “We Belong Together” singer, 55, was honored at LA’s Dolby Theater on Monday night, but a viral clip of her giving side-eye suggests she wasn’t exactly thrilled with the musical tributes in her honor.
During Muni Long’s performance of “We Belong Together,” Carey was caught glancing away from the stage, giving what many described as a “disinterested” side-eye toward her rumored boyfriend, Anderson .Paak. Fans quickly took to X to share their thoughts.
One fan pointed out that Mariah Carey’s lack of enthusiasm for the performances was impossible to miss. Another joked that her facial expressions always give away exactly what she’s thinking. Someone else predicted that the clip would become legendary online, while another quipped that she was probably wondering why Ariana Grande wasn’t chosen to perform instead.
Despite the viral moment, Carey commanded the spotlight when she accepted this year’s Icon Award, presented by LL Cool J. She began her speech with a classic Mariah moment, making a joke about the stage lighting. “Is the lighting OK,” she teased, “because I don’t like bad lighting.”
Carey then reflected on her journey in music. “Thank you iHeart for this incredible honor,” she said. “As a kid, I used to listen to my favorite artist on the radio and dream of being on the airwaves myself.” She continued, “Now, for those of you who may not know what airwaves are, think of it as the non-Wi-Fi version of streaming, OK?”
The legendary singer wrapped up by thanking her devoted “Lambily” and paying tribute to her late mother, Patricia Carey. “On this Saint Patrick’s Day, I want to honor my mother Patricia Carey for giving me the gift of music.”
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