Mariah Carey lastly claimed her first MTV Video music Award on Sunday (September 7) evening after many years of nominations and iconic performances, then doubled down by receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award from Ariana Grande.

The 56-year-old legend took house the Moon Person trophy for Best R&B Video for her sultry single “Type Dangerous,” marking a long-overdue win after eight earlier nominations. But it was the Vanguard honor that introduced the evening full circle for Carey, who has been a part of a number of unforgettable VMA moments over time.

“Thank you so much for MTV for giving me the Vanguard Award. I can’t believe I’m getting my first VMA tonight,” Carey stated throughout her acceptance speech. “I just have one question: What in the Sam hell were you waiting for? I’m kidding. I love you.”

Carey, recognized for her chart-topping vocals and cinematic music movies, reminisced about her previous appearances on the VMAs, together with presenting the identical award to LL Cool J in 1997 and opening the present with Whitney Houston in 1998.

“Being here brings back amazing memories, like when I presented LL Cool J for his Vanguard Award. Or, when Whitney Houston and I opened the show with a faux standoff where we both had our dress and we were like, ‘Try it on me.’ It was a moment,” Mariah Carey said.

She additionally mirrored on the inventive freedom music movies have given her over time, from taking part in her alter ego Bianca in 1999’s “Heartbreaker” to dwelling out a fantasy escape in 1997’s “Honey.”

“music videos are my way of life, of bringing music to my own life. Many movies visualizing 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,” she stated. “Well, that one really wasn’t much of a stretch, but you know, it happened anyway.”

Before accepting her awards, Carey lit up the stage with a medley of her greatest hits, together with “Fantasy,” “Obsessed,” “We Belong Together,” and her newest single “Sugar Sweet.”

The Grammy winner closed her speech with gratitude for her devoted supporters, affectionately often known as the Lambily.

“After all this time, I’ve learned that music evolves, videos evolve, but the fun that is eternal. Thank you, MTV for playing my videos, and to my fans, the Lambily, I love you so much,” she stated.

Carey’s subsequent studio album, Here for It All, is scheduled to drop September 26.

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