Overview
- A cross-genre tribute featured Jennifer Hudson, Foo Fighters with Taylor Momsen tackling cuts from Carey's 1995 grunge project, John Legend, Kesha, Charlie Puth, Maggie Rogers, Busta Rhymes, Adam Lambert, Billy Porter, Laufey, Teddy Swims and others.
- Stevie Wonder made a surprise appearance praising Carey and speaking about freedom, with presenters including SZA, Babyface, Rita Wilson, Richard Marx, Gayle King and Kim Burrell introducing performances.
- The benefit included a live auction and table donations, offering items such as front-row seats to the Grammys and a meeting with Carey to drive contributions to MusiCares’ relief efforts.
- Carey accepted the honor with an emotional speech and later joined the evening’s performers for a closing rendition of All I Want for Christmas Is You led by Jon Batiste.
- Reports emphasized her 19 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s, five Grammys and the 22-week Hot 100 record for All I Want for Christmas Is You, alongside her recent remark that she doesn’t call herself a legend and her current Grammy nomination with KAYTRANADA.