Mariah Carey Receives Ultimate Icon Award at 2025 BET Awards: 'Be a Diva, Be a Boss'

Published: June 10, 2025

Mariah Carey was honored with the Ultimate Icon Award at the 2025 BET Awards, and she had a speech just as iconic as she is. The "Always Be My Baby" singer was recognized alongside Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg, and Kirk Franklin.

Carey took the stage to perform her latest single "Type Dangerous," which she released on Friday, June 6. With a gentleman on her arm, she cascaded down the stairs in a white coat before revealing a metallic gold mini dress. She was also joined onstage by Rakim, whose classic 1986 debut single "Eric B. Is President" she interpolated on "Type Dangerous."

Carey was introduced by Busta Rhymes, who waxed poetic on her impact as an artist and his love for the elusive chanteuse. "Mariah, she is not only an icon culturally for all of us, but she is the blueprint for hip-hop pop collabs before it was even cool," he said.

Carey, 56, was emotional in her speech, saying, "This means so much, especially coming from BET. And Busta, you made me a little emotional backstage, I was watching you and remembering that song. You're still one of my favorites."

This marked Carey's first-ever BET Award. "If you're gonna get one, might as well start with the Ultimate Icon Award," she joked. "But really, it's incredible to be here alongside Kirk Franklin, Jamie Foxx and Snoop, I love you guys. Congratulations."

Carey also encouraged her fans to believe in themselves, saying, "I'm so grateful for you all to celebrate it with me tonight. Thank you so much. I just want to encourage everyone out there to believe in yourself. Love and respect yourself. Be a diva, be a boss, be anything you wanna be. But be iconic while you're doing it."

Read more about the 2025 BET Awards, including the complete list of winners, Mariah Carey's performance and iconic style, and Kevin Hart's opening monologue.