Mariah Carey graced the MTV VMAs stage on Sunday to accept the Video Vanguard Award from Ariana Grande, delivering a speech and giving a career-spanning performance of songs including “Honey,” “We Belong Together” and “Fantasy (Remix).”

Grande introduced Carey’s performance, describing her many talents and the impact she’s left on music. “As a vocalist, there’s only one queen and that’s Mariah,” said Grande. “She knows no limits with her iconic five-octave range and has left an irrevocable impact on music history with her tone, technique and sound. Her music videos have become the pop playbook, giving us everything from alter egos to male drag to hundreds of iconic looks. Mariah Carey is a singular talent and artist.”

Carey then took the stage to perform songs from her extensive catalog, revisiting the treatments and looks from her music videos. She began in the bedroom with her slinky new single “Sugar Sweet,” clad in pajamas and flanked by two backup dancers. She kicked up the mood with her iconic “Fantasy” remix before segueing into a mashup of “Honey” and “Heartbreaker” — that is, before her alter ego Bianca showed up and Carey cut her down to size. Then came “Obsessed,” “It’s Like That” and “We Belong Together,” which capped off the performance.

Grande then presented her with the award, leading into Carey’s speech. “This moment is very heavy,” she said. “I can’t believe I’m getting my first VMA tonight. I just have one question: What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for? I’m kidding, I love you MTV, this is amazing.”

“Music videos are my way of life, of bringing music to my own life,” she continued. “Many movies, visiualizing the sheer fantasy of it all. And let’s be honest. Sometimes there’s just an excuse to bring the drama and do things I wouldn’t do in real life, like going in drag for ‘Obsessed,’ playing my alter ego Bianca in ‘Heartbreaker,’ escaping the mob in ‘Honey’ with a hot guy to a remote island — well that one really wasn’t much of a stretch, but it happened. Anyway, after all this time, I learned music evolves, music evolves, but fun? That is eternal.”

Earlier in the evening, Carey took home the VMA award for “Type Dangerous,” which won for best R&B. The timing of the Video Vanguard Award couldn’t be better for Carey, who is currently gearing up for the release of her new album “Here For It All” on September 26. So far, she released a pair of singles — “Type Dangerous” and “Sugar Sweet” featuring Kehlani and Shenseea — and revealed the tracklist for the album, touting additional features from Anderson .Paak and the Clark Sisters. Songs slated for the set include “Confetti Champagne,” “In Your Feelings” and “Mi,” which opens the record.

“Type Dangerous” initially dropped in early June and was co-written and co-produced by .Paak, who is rumored to serve as executive producer on the project. It’s been seven years since Carey dropped 2018’s “Caution,” which featured an assortment of collaborators including Mustard, Skrillex, No I.D. and Timbaland.

Carey has since signed with Gamma, the independent label launched in 2023 by music executive Larry Jackson. Forbes reported that L.A. Reid will executive produce “Here For It All” under his new company Mega.

“It is a game-changing moment because it’s one of our premier stars who has made a decision to join forces with an independent, self-contained company that is not associated with any of the major labels,” said Reid. “It’s a game changer for both Gamma and Mariah.”