Mariah Carey is honoured with the BET Ultimate Icon Award 2025 and delivers an inspiring speech on authenticity, success, and empowerment.
Mariah Carey, the legendary singer behind hits like “Always Be My Baby,” was celebrated with the BET Ultimate Icon Award 2025 at the ceremony held on Monday 9 June. Joined on stage by Rakim, Carey performed her latest single, Type Dangerous, proving once again why she remains a living legend in music.
The 56-year-old diva received the award alongside other greats such as Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg and Kirk Franklin, in recognition of her “decades of groundbreaking contributions to music, entertainment, and the community.”
Introducing Mariah, Busta Rhymes highlighted:
“Mariah isn’t just a cultural icon—she laid the foundation for hip-hop and pop collaborations before they were even a thing.”
Visibly moved, Mariah said in her acceptance speech:
“My life and career have been quite the adventure… and I’ve finally realised life is far too short to live for other people’s approval. So I chose to own who I am: my extra-ness, my fabulous self, and yes—my success and my iconic status.”
With her signature humour, she added:
“If you’re going to get an award, it might as well be the Ultimate Icon Award.”
She also encouraged her fans with a heartfelt message:
“I want everyone to believe in themselves. Love yourselves, respect yourselves. Be a diva, be a boss, be whatever you want to be. But be iconic while you’re at it.”
Mariah Carey continues to prove why she’s the Queen of Christmas—and one of the most successful female artists of all time.
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