LOS ANGELES — Mariah Carey was honored as MusiCares Person of the Year on Friday during the organization’s annual charity gala, held two days ahead of the Grammy Awards.
The event is MusiCares’ largest fundraiser of the year, supporting year-round programs that provide disaster relief and essential services to music professionals in need, according to a press release.
Ahead of the gala, Carey shared her excitement on social media, posting on Jan. 21, “So excited for next week’s gala @musicares and deeply honored by these incredible performers bringing their artistry to my music. What a dream, thank you all!!”
The evening featured a wide range of performances honoring Carey’s catalog. Foo Fighters took the stage with Taylor Momsen on lead vocals for “Someone’s Ugly Daughter,” a song from Carey’s previously undisclosed 1995 grunge project recorded under the name Chick. The band followed with “Love Is a Scam,” while Carey sang along from her table.
Carey publicly revealed her involvement in the project in her 2020 memoir, explaining that she sang background vocals while her friend Clarissa Dane handled lead vocals.
Additional performers included Jennifer Hudson, who opened with “I Don’t Wanna Cry” and transitioned into “Vision of Love,” Billy Porter with “Always Be My Baby,” and Teddy Swims, who performed “Without You,” the Harry Nilsson ballad Carey took to No. 1 in 1994.
Other performers throughout the night included Adam Lambert, Charlie Puth, Kesha, Maggie Rogers, Laufey and Jermaine Dupri, with notable attendees such as SZA, Rita Wilson, Gayle King and Richard Marx.
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