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Mariah Carey might have been honored as an icon at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on Monday (Mar. 17) but it was her signature shade that truly stole the show. Read more about how another moment with the legendary pop singer unlocked a new meme sensation.
Mariah became a viral meme (once again) thanks to her reaction during a tribute performance by Tori Kelly and Muni Long, and fans can’t get enough.
As Long delivered a passionate rendition of Carey’s 2005 hit “We Belong Together,” the camera panned to the six-time Grammy winner, who slowly turned her head and delivered a side-eye so sharp it could cut glass. Meanwhile, attendees were dancing and vibing to the performance, but Carey looked… unimpressed.
And just like that, a meme was born.
“THIS GIF OF MARIAH CAREY WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY,” one X (formerly Twitter) user declared. Another dubbed her the “meme queen,” while a third joked, “She was wondering why they didn’t book Ariana [Grande].”
To be fair, Carey was seen smiling during other parts of the tribute, particularly when “Always Be My Baby” was performed. But let’s be real: one shady moment is all it takes to break the internet.
If that wasn’t enough, Carey kept the diva energy going when she took the stage to accept her Icon Award. Before launching into her speech, she made sure to check the most important thing: the lighting.
“Is the lighting OK?” she asked, pausing for dramatic effect. “Because I don’t like bad lighting.”
Classic Mariah.
Once satisfied, she continued with a heartfelt speech, reflecting on her decades-long career.
“I still get excited when I hear one of my songs playing on the radio,” she shared. “It never stops being magical.”
Though Carey skipped the event’s red carpet, she dazzled in a sparkling black gown and her signature voluminous curls. After the show, she took to Instagram to express her gratitude, simply writing, “Thank you, @iheartradio!! ✨❤️”
Meanwhile, Muni Long had no hard feelings, reposting fan reactions to the tribute and telling Billboard she was “very excited” to honor Carey.
But let’s be honest—no one outshines Mariah at her own tribute. The lighting might be up for debate, but the shade? Perfection.
